The American Distilling Institute (ADI) recently honored St. Augustine Distillery with its highest accolade, the Bubble Cap Award for Distillery of the Year, at its annual conference in Baltimore. ADI President Erik Owens presented the award to the distillery’s founders and vice president of production, Philip McDaniel, Mike Diaz and Ric deMontmollin.
Introduced in 2010, the Bubble Cap Award recognizes the top distillery globally for excellence in spirits quality, innovation, transparency, authenticity, growth and community involvement. ADI’s criteria include producing less than 100,000 proof gallons annually, being independently owned and distilling its own products.
“In 2014, Phil McDaniel had a dream to make whiskey and share it with the world,” said Owens. “That passion drove him to make connections in his community and overcome every obstacle.”
He highlighted St. Augustine’s success in tourism, noting their attraction of 175,000 visitors each year as a significant achievement.
Owens also praised St. Augustine’s impact on the craft spirits community and legislative progress.
“They have been an exemplary member of the craft spirits community, laying the groundwork to grow the number of distillers in Florida and engaging on the national level to make the U.S. a better place for distillers,” he said. “St. Augustine's spirits deserve to be recognized on the world stage, as do the partnerships they have forged and the teams they have built.”
Located in the Nation’s Oldest City, St. Augustine Distillery is renowned for its artisanal spirits, including award-winning bourbon, rum, gin and vodka. The distillery’s commitment to quality and innovation is reflected in their numerous awards and the acclaimed visitor experience, named the “No. 1 Whiskey Tour in North America” by the Drammie Awards.
The distillery operates from the Historic FP&L Ice Plant, a building originally constructed in 1907. Once silent and vacant, the Ice Plant was restored by the distillery’s founders, earning the 2014 Award for Excellence for Reuse and Repurpose by the Urban Land Institute of North Florida.
Co-founder and CEO McDaniel has been a strong advocate for the craft distilling industry, driving legislation and creating opportunities for craft distillers nationwide. His efforts have advanced not only St. Augustine Distillery but also the broader craft distilling community.
“We are deeply honored to receive The Bubble Cap award from the American Distilling Institute,” said McDaniel. “Since our founding in 2012, our mission has been to create an immersive and educational experience for our guests and to craft some of the finest bourbon and finished bourbons in the world. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the invaluable guidance from industry experts. We are thrilled to be in the company of so many amazing distilleries previously honored with this award. We remain committed to promoting craft distilling and its benefits for our community, the state of Florida and the industry nationwide.” As St. Augustine Distillery continues to grow and innovate, they remain dedicated to their principles and the community that supports them. This recognition as ADI’s 2024 Distillery of the Year is a testament to their passion, advocacy and the exceptional quality of their spirits.
