Upper Marlboro, MD – June 2025 — In a groundbreaking year for the craft spirits world, Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company has emerged as America’s most awarded Black-owned whiskey brand of 2025 outside of Uncle Nearest, winning four medals at the London International Spirits Competition and clinching three Gold Medals at the International Bartender Spirits Awards and taking home the coveted honor of “Best Overall Craft Whiskey”.
This marks a bold new era for independent spirits, where storytelling, craftsmanship, and bold innovation collide—and it’s not coming from the household name most expect. Arthur Wheeler Spirits Co. just opened in October 2024 and at just over 7 months old has a long road ahead to reach the heights of the titan that is Nearest, but make no mistake they are on the road.
“Uncle Nearest paved the way. But it’s time people knew our name, too,” says Floyd Arthur “Beau” Wheeler, Founder and Master Blender. “2025 was the year we stepped into the arena, and we didn’t come quietly.”
A Year of Unparalleled Recognition
Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company dominated major international competitions, including:
- 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards
- 🥇 Gold – Cask Strength Bourbon
- 🥇 Gold – 1932 Bourbon Whiskey
- 🥇 Gold – Toasted Stave
- 🏆 Best Overall Craft Whiskey – 2025
- 2025 London Spirits Competition
- 🏅 Gold – Signature Caribbean Rum
- 🥈 Silver – Cask Strength Bourbon
- 🥈 Silver – 1932 Bourbon Whiskey
- 🥈 Silver – Rye Whiskey
These accolades weren’t just wins—they were statements. Judged by master bartenders, sommeliers, and hospitality professionals, these awards reflect real-world quality, not just marketing hype.
A Black-Owned Brand Reshaping the Bourbon Conversation
Rooted in the heritage of the Mid-Atlantic and the innovation of the modern palate, Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company is more than a brand—it’s a movement. Every bottle honors craft, every release reclaims space in an industry historically underrepresented by Black ownership.
“We’re not riding on nostalgia,” says Wheeler. “We’re building legacy through excellence, flavor, and unapologetic ambition.”
What’s Next?
With growing retail partnerships, national distribution expansion, and select on-premise collaborations planned in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Delaware as well as nation-wide direct to consumer shipping, Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company is ready to reshape how the world experiences Black-owned spirits—at home and behind the bar.
For media inquiries, tasting samples, or to schedule an interview with Arthur Wheeler, please contact:
Press Contact:
Kimberly Wheeler
kimberly@fsdistillery.com
202-680-8874
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About Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company
Founded in Upper Marlboro, MD, Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company is a Black-owned whiskey brand, award-winning spirits house known for its bold bourbon, Maryland-style rye, and exquisite rum and vodka releases. With a commitment to excellence, community, and cultural legacy, the brand has quickly become one of the fastest-rising stars in American craft spirits.
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