2026 U.S. Open Whiskey Championship Categories
Category 1 – Bourbon
a – Straight Bourbon
b – Small Batch Bourbon 1-3 Years Under 100 proof
c – Small Batch Bourbon 1-3 Years 100 proof or over
d – Small Batch Bourbon 4-10 Years Under 100 proof
e – Small Batch Bourbon 4-10 Years 100 proof or over

Category 2 – Straight Whiskey
a – Single Barrel Whiskey
b – American Single Malt Whiskey
c – Rye Whiskey Under 100 proof
d – Rye Whiskey 100 proof or over
e – Blended Whiskey
f – Craft Whiskey

Category 3 – Specialty Whiskey
a – Whiskey finished in wine, beer or other spirits barrels
b – Flavored Whiskey
c – Whiskey in Non-Traditional Barrel Aging
d – Anything Goes

Category 4 – MOONSHINE / Non-Aged Whiskey
a – Traditional Moonshine
b – Aged Moonshine/Corn Whiskey
c – Flavored Moonshine
d – Non-Aged Whiskey

2026 U.S. Open Spirits Championship Categories
Category 5 – GIN
a – Gin
b – Barrel-Aged Gin

Category 6 – VODKA
a – Vodka
b – Vodka Flavored / Infused

Category 7 – RUM
a – Rum White
b – Rum Dark / Gold / Barrel Aged Rum
c – Rum Spiced/Flavored

Category 8 – Specialty Spirits(anything goes)
a – Specialty(Spirits, Brandy, Cordial, Liqueurs and more)
b – Can Cocktails(whiskey or spirits)
B1-CLASSIC Canned Cocktail
B2-Citrus Canned Cocktail
B3-FRUIT & BERRY Canned Cocktail
B4-Whiskey Canned Cocktail
B5-Bottled Cocktails (ready to drink)

Category 9 – Agave and Spirits distilled with other plants in the Asparagaceae family
a – Tequila
b – Mezcal
c – Okolehao
d – Agave
e – Other