Spirit of the Cascade Wins Silver at the 2026 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC)

We’re thrilled to announce that our flagship gin, Spirit of the Cascade Imatra Dry Gin, has been awarded silver at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC). This recognition comes with an impressive score of 92 points out of 100 from a global panel of industry experts.

Expert Recognition of Our Craft

The IWSC panel provided detailed tasting notes that perfectly capture what we’ve worked so hard to achieve: “Intriguing nose of perfume and dusty cedar notes. The palate opens with juicy marmalade and green botanicals, evolving with layers of earthy bitterness and warming spice.”

These comments validate our commitment to creating a gin that truly embodies the untamed beauty of the Imatrankoski rapids and the famous Imatra Spirit. Each element the panel described – from the aromatic complexity to the layered palate – reflects our careful selection of botanicals and meticulous distillation process.

A Foundation for Future Success

“This is a great start,” says Mikko Rasimus, co-founder and master distiller at Imatra Spirits. “Obviously we are going for Gold with the Spirit of the Cascade Gin, but considering the participation was with the very first distillation batch of the gin, which has since then further improved a great deal, we are extremely confident with the product.”

What makes this achievement even more meaningful is that it represents our very first batch. Since then, we’ve continued to refine and perfect our process, building on the foundation that earned this recognition.

Global Recognition Building

The IWSC silver medal adds to growing international acclaim for Spirit of the Cascade. We’ve received exceptional reviews from bars, restaurants, and distributors across the globe. Most recently, industry experts around the world have rated our gin at the highest level, with exciting export plans on the horizon.

“This is a testament to the past two years of hard work that has gone into the product,” says Dr. Taavi Kuisma, co-founder and brand ambassador at Imatra Spirits. “The panel expressed the character of the product very well, so the intended taste profile is there.”

Looking Forward

This achievement represents more than recognition – it’s validation of our approach and motivation for continued innovation. We see this as just the beginning. The silver medal serves as motivation for us to further refine our craft, and to continue developing products that honor both tradition and innovation. This IWSC recognition proves that our vision – bottling the famous Imatra Spirit – resonates not just locally, but on the global stage.

The journey to gold continues, and we couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead. Let’s go!