Dietz Distillery’s Five Judges Gin Just Won Big—and Atlanta’s Cocktail Scene Should Be Watching Closely
Gin lovers of Atlanta, it’s time to expand your bar cart. While your favorite bottle shop in Decatur or Sandy Springs may still be dominated by UK heavyweights and household names, a quietly brilliant gin from Fredericksburg, Texas is shaking up the spirits world—and turning heads from Roswell to Midtown.
Dietz Distillery’s Five Judges Gin, a small-batch, copper-pot distilled marvel, just earned a Silver Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)—one of the most respected contests in the industry. It’s juniper-forward, rooted in tradition, touched by Texas sunshine, and unlike anything else currently on your local shelves.
“WE’VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN HONORING TRADITION WHILE CAPTURING THE BOLD SPIRIT OF TEXAS,”
DIETZ FISCHER
OWNER & DISTILLER, DIETZ DISTILLERY
What Makes Five Judges Gin a Global Standout?
For starters, it’s a London dry-style gin—classic in its approach, but elevated with citrus from the Rio Grande Valley. That Southern brightness adds a crisp, modern twist to its herbaceous backbone, resulting in a gin that plays beautifully in everything from a Gin & Tonic on a Piedmont Park picnic to a Martini at a Buckhead rooftop bar.
This isn’t just another bottle competing for trend points. It’s distilled with intention, using a slow, old-school process that allows each botanical to shine. And with a name steeped in local history, Five Judges Gin carries more than flavor—it carries legacy.
The Story Behind the Name: Legacy in a Bottle
The name Five Judges is a tribute to five actual judges—J.B. Wieser, Jarvis Wieser, Mark Wieser, M.A. Dooley, and Julius Schuchard—who once lived on the same Texas farm where Dietz Distillery now operates. The farm, part of the Wieser family estate, has long been a pillar of civic pride and regional heritage in Texas Hill Country.
So when you sip Five Judges, you’re not just tasting gin—you’re drinking in generations of leadership, land, and legacy.
Austrian Craft, Texas Roots—and a Flavor That Belongs in Atlanta
Distiller Dietz Fischer trained under Austrian master distiller Markus Wieser, combining European precision with Texan grit to produce spirits that are balanced, expressive, and downright soulful. His gin, as well as the distillery’s growing line of fruit brandies, is made on-site at the Fischer & Wieser Farmstead—a place more known (until now) for its gourmet sauces, jams, and jellies than for globally award-winning spirits.
If you’re familiar with Atlanta’s love for local flavors and global flair—think Miller Union, Kimball House, or Talat Market—you’ll appreciate how this gin fits right in.
A Distillery on the Rise (and One to Watch in the South)
Though Dietz Distillery launched just a few years ago, it’s quickly gaining ground with thoughtful spirits like their small-batch brandies made from local Texas peaches, pears, and plums. Each bottle embodies a commitment to sustainability, agriculture, and flavor integrity—values Atlanta’s food and beverage community cares deeply about.
For now, Five Judges Gin is only available at the distillery, located in the heart of Texas wine country. But with demand surging after its SFWSC medal, don’t be surprised if you see it soon on back bars at Kimball House, Little Spirit, or Whiskey Bird.
Why Atlanta Should Be Paying Attention
As Atlanta’s cocktail culture matures—seen in everything from barrel-aged cocktail programs in Inman Park to craft distillery collaborations in West Midtown—there’s growing demand for spirits with real substance. Five Judges Gin brings both the pedigree of international recognition and the soul of a farm-crafted, family-rooted spirit.
It’s a refreshing reminder that great gin doesn’t have to come from a castle in the UK. Sometimes, it comes from a copper still on a quiet hilltop in Texas.
Final Pour: A Small-Batch Win Worth Celebrating
Dietz Distillery’s win isn’t just a victory for Texas—it’s a nod to every independent distiller crafting spirits the right way. For Atlanta spirits lovers, it’s a call to explore beyond the big brands and discover what happens when history, heart, and heritage meet in a bottle.
So next time you’re building a cocktail menu, planning a tasting night, or just restocking your spirits shelf—remember the name Five Judges Gin. Because some stories are worth sipping.
