A Texas Gin with Vegas-Worthy Credentials: Dietz Distillery’s Five Judges Gin Scores Silver at SFWSC
Las Vegas knows spirits. From high-stakes cocktail programs on the Strip to low-key gems in the Arts District, this is a city that rewards flavor, precision, and a good story. And now, a newcomer from the Texas Hill Country is making a strong case for a spot on your backbar: Five Judges Gin from Dietz Distillery just earned a Silver Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition—a big win for a small-batch label doing things the right way, deep in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas.
The SFWSC is one of the most respected judging panels in the business, and medals there carry serious weight in the world of premium spirits. So when a young gin like Five Judges rises above the crowd, it’s not just hype—it’s a sign that something special is going on.
Crafted in the style of a traditional London dry, Five Judges Gin brings a classic juniper-forward backbone, but with a twist that Vegas bartenders will appreciate: it features bright citrus sourced from Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, giving it a sunlit freshness that plays beautifully in cocktails.
“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.”
The story behind the name is just as thoughtful. Five Judges is a tribute to the Wieser family farm where the distillery sits—a property that’s been home to five regional judges over the years. That legacy of civic duty now lives on in a spirit built with the same care, patience, and sense of place.
Founded in 2021, Dietz Distillery is part of the Fischer & Wieser Farmstead, just outside downtown Fredericksburg. Dietz Fischer trained under an Austrian master distiller, and his approach blends Old World technique with the bold flavors of Texas agriculture. In addition to gin, the distillery makes limited-run fruit brandies from peaches, plums, and pears grown on the property—bottles that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Strip lounge’s curated flight.
While you won’t find Five Judges on Nevada shelves just yet, it’s available at the distillery’s tasting room—making it an excellent candidate for spirits travelers or pros looking to discover standout regional bottles before they break big.
In a city that celebrates the craft behind every pour, Five Judges Gin feels like a natural fit. Whether stirred into a desert-inspired Negroni or served clean over ice at golden hour, it brings a balance of heritage and boldness—exactly the kind of spirit that could thrive in Las Vegas.
