Congratulations to the illustrious winners of our annual Sunset International Spirits Competition.

Despite the Western origins of the margarita and the martini, for the better part of a century, the history of spirits in the United States has been rooted toward the east, with its storied New York cocktail culture and the iconic distilleries of the South. But over the years, enterprising distillers, itinerant cocktailians, bartender visionaries, and homegrown drinks enthusiasts have transformed the West into one of the most vibrant, progressive, and thriving regions for all things drinks.

Our annual Spirits Issue is where we celebrate the people and companies keeping this spirit of the West alive. In these pages you’ll find the illustrious winners of our annual Sunset International Spirits Competition. Every year, we convene to taste and evaluate hundreds of worthy competitors and bestow awards on the best spirits brands in the West and beyond. The list of winners is a handy way for drinks lovers to keep on top of who’s who and what to drink in the various spirits categories. And as any bartender—amateur or otherwise—knows, what happens in the glass is where a spirit comes alive.

That’s why we’ve included cocktail recipes from some of the best restaurants and bars from Seattle to Ojai, drinks to enjoy by the campfire, and tips for growing your own cocktail-friendly herbs at home so you can enjoy a fresh garden-to-glass cocktail any time. Mix a drink, pull up a chair, and join me in toasting all of the innovators celebrated in this issue. It’s free to read online right here!