ADI names Isle of Wight Distillery 2026 International Distillery of the Year

The American Distilling Institute gave its 2026 International Bubble Cap Award to Isle of Wight Distillery, maker of Mermaid Gin, at its annual conference in Miami. The honor spotlights a UK producer that has grown globally while emphasizing sustainability, community and design.

Why it matters: - The award gives Isle of Wight Distillery ADI’s top international honor and puts a UK craft producer on a global stage. - The recognition also signals what the craft spirits industry is rewarding now: product quality, brand identity and measurable sustainability work. - ADI says the award goes to distilleries outside the United States that make world-class spirits and influence the industry broadly.

What happened: - On Monday, Aug. 18, 2026, the American Distilling Institute named The Isle of Wight Distillery its 2026 International Distillery of the Year. - ADI presented the International Bubble Cap Award during the Gala Awards Luncheon at the 23rd annual ADI Craft Spirits Conference & Expo in Miami, Florida. - ADI President Erik Owens presented the award to Isle of Wight co-founder Xavier Baker on stage. - ADI launched the International Distillery of the Year category in 2025 as an extension of its long-running Distillery of the Year honor.

The details: - The Isle of Wight Distillery is the home of Mermaid Gin. - ADI said Mermaid Gin has become one of the fastest-growing gin brands in the world. - The distillery’s spirits have won top awards at major competitions, including dozens of medals at the ADI International Spirits Competition. - The company is a certified B-Corp and follows a triple-bottom-line approach that prioritizes people, planet and profit. - The Isle of Wight Distillery works with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to monitor and restore seagrass meadows around the island. - The distillery unveiled fully sustainable packaging in 2019. - The company is working toward net-zero, plastic-free operations across its supply chain. - Mermaid was founded in 2015 by Xavier Baker and Conrad Gauntlett at the Isle of Wight Distillery. - The brand was built around hand-crafted spirits made on a UNESCO island using wild-foraged and responsibly sourced ingredients. - ADI is the largest small-batch, independently owned craft distillery association in the world and was founded in 2003. - ADI said its mission is to support growth and success for craft spirit producers through conferences, education, networking and business connections.

Between the lines: - ADI’s comments framed the award as a blend of craftsmanship and brand-building, not just liquid quality. - The emphasis on B-Corp status, packaging and habitat restoration suggests sustainability is now part of the competitive pitch for premium spirits. - The Isle of Wight Distillery’s story also fits a broader trend in craft spirits: local origin and provenance are becoming part of the value proposition.

What's next: - The Isle of Wight Distillery will likely use the award to extend Mermaid Gin’s reach beyond the Isle of Wight and deepen its international profile. - ADI will continue positioning the International Bubble Cap Award as its top recognition for distilleries outside the United States. - The company says it will keep working toward net-zero and plastic-free operations across its supply chain.

The bottom line: - ADI’s 2026 international honor goes to a UK distillery that has paired growth with sustainability, design and place-based branding.