Texas Distillery Breaks Out for Big Apple Bars: Five Judges Gin from Dietz Distillery Wins Silver at SFWSC
Texas Distillery Breaks Out for Big Apple Bars: Five Judges Gin from Dietz Distillery Wins Silver at SFWSC
In a city where gin has history—from pre-Prohibition martinis to the avant-garde creations of downtown cocktail labs—there’s always room for something new, especially when it’s got soul, structure, and a story. That’s exactly what Five Judges Gin from Dietz Distillery in Fredericksburg, Texas brings to the table—and now the global stage is taking notice. The small-batch gin just earned a Silver Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious benchmarks for spirits excellence.
New Yorkers know the SFWSC isn’t just another awards show. It’s where legends are affirmed and emerging craft distillers get their shot. For Five Judges, this recognition signals something more than just good juice—it marks a rising voice in American gin worth paying attention to.
Texas Distillery Breaks Out for Big Apple Bars: Five Judges Gin from Dietz Distillery Wins Silver at SFWSC
Rooted in a traditional London dry style, Five Judges leads with juniper but surprises with its Texan core. Bright citrus from the Rio Grande Valley cuts through with clarity, giving the gin a clean, fresh lift that plays well in both stirred classics and more modern builds. It’s thoughtful without being precious—something that could easily find a home on a well-edited bar cart in TriBeCa or behind a Soho speakeasy’s walnut counter.
“WE’VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN HONORING TRADITION WHILE CAPTURING THE BOLD SPIRIT OF TEXAS,”
DIETZ FISCHER
OWNER AND DISTILLER, DIETZ DISTILLERY
“To see our Five Judges Gin recognized on a global stage is a tremendous honor. This award affirms our commitment to slow, intentional distilling and to producing something truly special right here in Fredericksburg.”
And while the liquid stands on its own, the name Five Judges brings an added layer. It’s a tribute to five members of the Wieser family who served as judges in the region over the past century, giving the gin both a geographic and generational anchor—a rarity in an industry where storytelling often overshadows substance. This is a bottle where both deliver.
Founded in 2021, Dietz Distillery sits on the Fischer & Wieser Farmstead just outside downtown Fredericksburg. Dietz Fischer, a local son turned distiller, trained under Austrian master distiller Markus Wieser and brought that continental rigor back home to Texas soil. The result is a style that’s precise, expressive, and deeply rooted in place. In addition to gin, the distillery also turns out orchard-driven fruit brandies using farm-grown peaches, pears, and plums—spirits that wouldn’t feel out of place on the backbar at Katana Kitten or Amor y Amargo.
For now, Five Judges Gin is only available at the distillery itself—a detail that may frustrate collectors but delight those always chasing the next great find. It’s the kind of bottle that makes a trip worth planning—or a favor worth asking.
As the gin world continues to expand well beyond the coasts, Five Judges shows what’s possible when discipline meets terroir. And while Manhattan might be 1,800 miles away from the Texas Hill Country, great spirits—and great stories—always find their way here.
