From Beets to Gold: Women-Owned Wisher Vodka Redefines American Craft Spirits
In an industry long dominated by legacy names and grain-based distilling, one emerging American vodka brand is proving that transparency and innovation can outshine tradition.
Wisher Vodka, co-founded by Kimberly LaRose and Emily Gillis-Terry, is celebrating back-to-back national recognition, earning Gold at the 2025 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards, just one year after being named Vodka of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Gold Medalist at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards.
But Wisher’s success story is about more than medals it’s about redefining what modern craft vodka can be. Distilled in the United States from 100% American-grown beets, Wisher delivers a smooth, clean profile that’s naturally gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan. Every batch is lab-tested for purity and consistency, reflecting the founders’ unwavering commitment to transparency.
“We built Wisher on transparency and trust,” says co-founder Kimberly LaRose. “You deserve to know exactly what’s in your glass, and where it comes from. Every batch is lab-tested for purity and consistency, because quality should never be a mystery.”
That openness has become Wisher’s hallmark. In a market where origin stories are often vague, Wisher’s full disclosure approach, from sourcing to lab testing, has resonated with consumers who value authenticity as much as flavor.
Co-founder Emily Gillis-Terry says the mission was simple: make a world-class vodka that honors its roots, literally.
“We’re proudly American and proudly women-owned,” she says. “Our vodka is made from the ground up with integrity, USA-grown beets, clean distillation, and honest craftsmanship.”
Wisher’s values haven’t gone unnoticed. The brand was recognized for transparency and innovation at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Craft Cocktail Competition (2024), highlighting its efforts to combine purpose with product.
“Wisher represents the next generation of premium spirits, authentic, intentional, and women-led,” says Chanel Turner, founder of Global Alliance Distribution and curator of BOWS Fest, which celebrates women and minority-owned premium craft brands. “They’re not just making great vodka, they’re making a statement about what leadership in this industry looks like.”
From its clean, beet-based formula to its sleek branding, Wisher reflects a shift happening in the spirits industry, one where transparency, diversity, and craftsmanship are the new markers of prestige.
After consecutive golds from two of the most respected competitions in the business, Wisher Vodka’s reputation is well-earned. Yet for LaRose and Gillis-Terry, the mission remains the same: to create a vodka that’s as pure in purpose as it is in taste, a spirit built on connection, honesty, and hope.
Wisher Vodka is currently expanding its distribution network and plans to bring its award-winning flavor to more bars, restaurants, and retailers across the country in 2026.