Grand Traverse Distillery's True North Rye Vodka was truly golden at the American Distilling Institute's 11th annual Spirits Competition in Baltimore, Maryland.

True North Rye Vodka earned a double gold medal in the Certified Craft Distilled Spirits category in the Grain-to-Glass Vodka — Residual Base Character category. True North Rye Vodka also received Best of Category — Certified Craft Distilled Spirits in the same category.

Grand Traverse Distillery also picked up a gold medal for its Islay Rye Whiskey in the Smoked Whiskey Category.

Head distiller Landis Rabish said the awards were a "reaffirmation" that Grand Traverse Distillery is still making a quality product in a rapidly-growing industry. There were more than 800 competitors from around the world entered in the ADI judging.

"We came away with eight awards," Rabish said. "It says we're doing a good job. The industry is growing very, very fast.

"It's nice to know we're still making a fantastic product."

The awards were part of the Annual Craft Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo held April 3-6 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Seven Michigan distilleries collected a total of 28 awards at the annual competition.

Grand Traverse Distillery picked up two silver medals in the competition. Its 100% Straight Bourbon Whiskey earned silver in the Bourbon Category while its Ole George 100% Straight Rye Whiskey earned silver in the Rye Whiskey Category.

Grand Traverse Distillery earned three bronze medals for its Peninsula Gin in Contemporary Grain-to-Glass Gin, True North Chipotle Vodka in Flavored Vodka and Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey in Rye Whiskey.

Read more at source: Record-Eagle