Wicked Dolphin brings home the double gold at World Spirits Competition
A craft rum distillery that calls Cape Coral home has earned top honors at an international competition.
Wicked Dolphin Distillery announced this week it has been awarded the double gold medal at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 3-Year Barrel-Aged Rum.
Widely considered the most prestigious spirits competition in the world, the SFWSC recognition “cements Wicked Dolphin’s place among the finest rum producers in the nation,” officials said.
“Winning a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is an incredible honor for our entire team,” said Wicked Dolphin founder JoAnn Elardo. “As a Florida craft distillery, we have always believed that world-class rum can be made right here in the Sunshine State, and this recognition validates years of hard work, dedication, and passion. To see our 3-Year Barrel-Aged Rum earn one of the industry’s most respected awards is both humbling and exciting for everyone at Wicked Dolphin Distillery and for our community.”
Wicked Dolphin’s 3-Year Barrel-Aged Rum is crafted from Florida-grown sugarcane and aged in American oak barrels, producing a smooth, complex spirit with notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of tropical fruit. The award-winning expression reflects Wicked Dolphin’s “unwavering commitment to small-batch quality and the rich rum-making heritage of the American South.”
Double Gold is one of the highest honors awarded at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The tier is awarded only when every judge on the panel independently awards a spirit a Gold Medal. In other words, there is complete agreement among the judges that the spirit is exceptional. Double Gold itself represents a benchmark of extraordinary quality.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition draws blind submissions from thousands of spirits brands across the globe each year. Medals are awarded by a panel of industry experts, master distillers, and leading spirits journalists, making a win a genuine mark of exceptional quality.
As for what Elardo thinks the award says about the distillery, she said, “It says, ‘Cape Coral is making some of the best rum in the world.’ Wicked Dolphin Rum was up against a few of the largest distilleries in the world.
“We believe it speaks directly to the quality of what’s inside the bottle. Our 3-Year Barrel-Aged Rum is crafted from Florida-grown sugarcane, distilled in small batches, and aged in American oak barrels. Receiving a Double Gold from a panel of industry experts shows that our rum can compete with —- and stand alongside —- the finest spirits from around the world. It reinforces our commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity by producing premium rum that Florida can be proud of.”
Wicked Dolphin has earned numerous national and international awards over the years and has been recognized in major spirits competitions. This Double Gold represents the distillery’s most significant achievement to date and marks a major milestone for the brand and for Florida rum as a whole.
“It is the highest honor we have ever received in the U.S.,” Elardo said. “For our 3-Year Barrel-Aged Rum, this is one of the most meaningful accolades in the company’s history. Wicked Dolphin Distillery has won the highest award internationally the Gold at the Madrid Rum Congress several times, which was a ‘wow’ moment for us.”
Founded in 2012, Wicked Dolphin Distillery claims to honor of being the first and only women-owned distillery in Florida and is dedicated to producing premium craft rum using the highest quality Florida-grown sugarcane and time-honored distilling traditions.
Elardo said Wicked Dolphin offers something truly unique: Authentic Florida rum made from Florida-grown sugarcane and crafted by a local team that is passionate about quality.
“Whether you’re new to rum or a longtime spirits enthusiast, you’ll find a product that is approachable, flavorful, and made with care,” she said. “From our tropical favorites to our award-winning aged expressions, every bottle tells the story of Florida. If you’ve never tried Wicked Dolphin, there’s never been a better time to discover why our rum is earning recognition on the world stage. Less sugar, more flavor, all Florida.”
Elardo invited the public out to see first-hand how Wicked Dolphin makes its rum and vodka with a free tour and tasting. The distillery has visitors from all over Florida and all over the country, all year long.
Wicked Dolphin Distillery is at 131 SW 3rd Place in Cape Coral.
For more information, visit wickeddolphinrum.com.