Birmingham's Campesino Rum Wins 'Double Gold' at Major Spirits Competition

The local brand took home top honors at the 2026 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America event in Las Vegas.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Campesino Rum, a Birmingham-based spirits brand, recently won 'Double Gold' at the 2026 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) competition in Las Vegas. This is the second major award for Campesino, which previously won 'Best in Show' at the 2021 WSWA Brand Battle. The company's signature white-labeled rums, including its Aged XIV and Silver X blends, have become a familiar sight in local bars and liquor stores.

Why it matters

This award is a significant accomplishment for a local Birmingham brand, highlighting the quality and craftsmanship of Campesino Rum. It also demonstrates the growing reputation and success of Alabama's craft spirits industry, which has seen increased interest and recognition in recent years.

The details

Campesino Rum was founded in 2012 by Birmingham native Hatton Smith II, who traveled to Panama to begin distilling, bottling, and selling his own flavored white rum. In 2018, Smith moved back to Birmingham to expand the brand's distribution. Today, Campesino uses rums from several South American countries to create its two distinct blends: Aged XIV, a rich blend of eight-year-old rums from Barbados and the Dominican Republic, and Silver X, a light and clean proprietary blend of rums from Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Campesino Rum was founded in 2012.
  • The company won 'Best in Show' at the 2021 WSWA Brand Battle.
  • Campesino Rum won 'Double Gold' at the 2026 WSWA competition in Las Vegas.

The players

Campesino Rum

A Birmingham-based spirits brand that produces two distinct rum blends: Aged XIV and Silver X.

Hatton Smith II

The founder and owner of Campesino Rum, who started the company in 2012 after traveling to Panama.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA)

The organization that hosts an annual competition and trade show for the beverage alcohol industry.

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What’s next

Campesino Rum plans to continue expanding its distribution and building its reputation as a high-quality, locally-produced spirit.

The takeaway

Campesino Rum's 'Double Gold' award at the prestigious WSWA competition is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and craftsmanship, and highlights the growing success of Alabama's craft spirits industry.