An In-Depth Entry Guide to the 2026 Latin America World Spirits Competition
As Latin America’s spirits category continues to shape global trends, from agave innovation to ancestral distillation methods, the Latin America World Spirits Competition (LAWSC) returns in 2026 with a renewed commitment to craftsmanship, cultural authenticity, and fair evaluation. LAWSC is designed to spotlight the depth and diversity of Latin American spirits while offering producers a trusted, internationally respected judging platform. Whether you’re an established brand or an emerging producer preparing to launch, this guide walks you through everything you need to know about entering the 2026 competition.
About the Competition
The 2026 Latin America World Spirits Competition will take place in March, at the newly opened Tequila Lab in Zapopan, Mexico, a cutting‑edge venue dedicated to education, innovation, and the celebration of Mexico’s most iconic spirit. Now in its second year, the Latin America World Spirits Competition was created to provide a focused stage for Latin American producers, honoring both heritage and modern excellence across the region. The competition follows the organization’s globally recognized blind judging methodology, ensuring that every entry is evaluated solely on quality, balance, and technical merit, free from branding or commercial influence.
Who Should Enter
LAWSC is open to both domestic and international producers, including:
Established, globally distributed brands
Small and independent distilleries
Emerging producers and experimental projects
Brands that have not yet secured distribution
Importantly, products do not need to be commercially available at the time of entry. The Tasting Alliance welcomes spirits still in development, even if final packaging is not yet complete, as long as the submitted samples accurately represent the final formulation and production quality.
The competition celebrates the full spectrum of Latin American spirits, including but not limited to:
Each product may be entered into one class per competition year. Class codes reflect general categories, and for larger classes, entries may be refined into sub‑classes during judging to ensure fair peer‑to‑peer evaluation.
Judging Process & Medals
All entries are evaluated through The Tasting Alliance’s blind tasting process, led by a panel of industry experts and respected cultural voices from across Latin America and the United States, including Ivy Mix (Daisy, Leyenda, and Fiasco!), Joe Micallef (Forbes), and Egor Polinsky (Patrón Tequila). Judges assess each spirit within its peer group, ensuring consistency and integrity throughout the process.
Medals are granted strictly on a merit basis - not every entry receives a medal. The structured medal system recognizes only products that meet the highest standards of quality.
Double Gold Medalists advance to Sweeps Day
Sweeps Day determines Best of Class and Best in Show
Only categories with 10 or more entries are eligible for Best of Class or Best in Show
Best of Class and Best in Show distinctions are awarded to one product per category, signifying true excellence.
Why Enter the LAWSC
The Latin America World Spirits Competition is more than an awards program — it’s a platform built to elevate regional producers on a global stage. With rigorous blind judging, culturally informed panels, and a venue rooted in innovation, LAWSC offers meaningful recognition that resonates with trade buyers, distributors, and consumers alike. For producers committed to quality and authenticity, LAWSC represents an opportunity to be evaluated fairly, celebrated thoughtfully, and recognized internationally.
