Once dismissed as the land of backyard rice liquor and bootleg rocket fuel, Southeast Asia is now front and centre in the global craft spirits conversation. That transformation was on full display at the 2025/26 SOCraft (Spirit of Craft) Awards in Singapore, where a wave of regional producers took top honours—and proved that Asia isn’t just catching up, it’s leading the charge.
The headline act was Cambodia’s Casa Seekers, whose Mekong Bitter earned one of only two 3-Star (Platinum) accolades in this year’s competition. Judges praised the aperitivo-style spirit for its “well-harmonised flavours and approachable complexity,” a world away from its rough-and-ready ancestors. For a Cambodian brand to share the top podium in a global spirits competition marks a milestone not just for the distillery, but for the regional industry.
The Philippines followed suit with a strong showing. Manila’s Archipelago Distillery took home 2-Star honours for both its Black Bamboo Gin and Navy Strength Gin—spirits that blend juniper-forward punch with tropical nuance. As the country’s craft scene continues to evolve, Archipelago is fast becoming a regional standard-bearer.
Entries from India and Indonesia also made their mark, with judges recognising the quality of arak and agave-style spirits that reflect local terroir and time-honoured traditions. These are categories long overlooked in international competitions, now stepping confidently into the spotlight. Even across less flashy formats—like vodka and botanical blends—Asian producers demonstrated clarity, confidence, and a willingness to push past conventional boundaries.
Importantly, many of these top-scoring spirits were also recognised for their environmental credentials. The SOCraft Awards is Asia’s first spirits competition to embed sustainability into its judging framework, awarding a Green Ring to producers that go above and beyond in their environmental commitments. Of the 25 awarded entries this year, 17 received this distinction—and a significant portion came from Asia.
Sustainability came in many forms: distillers sourcing hyper-local botanicals, using renewable energy, and rethinking packaging to reduce waste. These aren’t just nice add-ons—they’re core to the future of premium drinks in the region. It’s a shift that reflects a maturing craft culture: one that isn’t just aping Western models, but building its own identity rooted in place and principle.
Held over two days in May, the SOCraft judging took place in Singapore and featured a panel of 20 leading bartenders, importers, and drinks media from across Asia. Spirits were tasted blind in “small-batch” sessions of no more than eight per hour—an intentionally thoughtful format designed to honour the care behind each bottle.
While Oceania had a smaller slice of the spotlight this year, there were still notable wins. Tasmania’s Launceston Distillery secured its second consecutive 3-Star award for its Tawny Cask Matured Single Malt, reinforcing Australia’s growing strength in whisky. New Zealand’s Juno Vesta Coffee Vodka also impressed with a 2-Star rating and a Green Ring, though the bulk of the buzz undeniably belonged to Asia.
Gin was again the dominant category overall, with 12 winners across styles and nations. But judges also noted the growing diversity in entries—particularly the rise of high-quality vodkas, complex herbal liqueurs, and unusual grains in whisky. This broader experimentation, especially among younger Asian distilleries, suggests the region is entering a phase of fearless innovation rather than simply catching up.
As SOCraft continues to carve out its identity, one thing is clear: Asia is no longer the underdog in the global craft spirits game. It’s producing world-class spirits with flair, sustainability, and a sense of place, and raising the bar for what “craft” really means.