The award-winning 7-year-old rye honors the 19 Americans lost during the Battle of Mogadishu while earning one of the whiskey industry’s highest distinctions.
JACKSONVILLE, FL. (June 2026) — Hooten Young’s Operation Gothic Serpent Rye Whiskey has been awarded a Double Gold Medal in the Rye Whiskey category at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), one of the spirits industry’s most respected and competitive judging events.
The recognition places the whiskey among a select group of spirits that achieved unanimous approval from every judge on the blind-tasting panel, one of the highest honors awarded by the competition.
While the award highlights the quality of the whiskey itself, the story behind Operation Gothic Serpent Rye extends far beyond the bottle.
A Whiskey Built on Remembrance
Operation Gothic Serpent Rye Whiskey was created as a tribute to the 19 American service members who lost their lives during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia on October 3–4, 1993.
The military operation, later brought to mainstream audiences through the film Black Hawk Down, carries a deeply personal connection for Hooten Young founder Norm Hooten, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant who participated in the mission.
According to the company, the whiskey and its companion cigar were developed not simply as commercial products, but as acts of remembrance dedicated to the fallen soldiers, their families, and the generation of servicemen shaped by the conflict.
What Makes Double Gold Significant
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, organized by the Tasting Alliance, is widely regarded as one of the most influential spirits competitions in North America.
A Double Gold Medal is awarded only when every judge on a tasting panel independently determines that a spirit merits a Gold Medal. Unlike many award systems that rely on majority consensus, Double Gold requires complete unanimity.
For producers, the distinction serves as a strong indicator of both quality and consistency, particularly in highly competitive categories such as American Rye Whiskey.
For Hooten Young, the award represents validation of a whiskey intended to honor a historic military legacy while standing on its own merits as a premium rye.
The Whiskeys
Operation Gothic Serpent Rye is a traditional high-rye whiskey built around a classic 95% rye, 5% barley mash bill and matured for seven years before bottling.
The whiskey is bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV) and is described by the company as offering notes of candied apricot and caramelized pear, balancing rye spice with fruit-forward sweetness.
[I’ll have my own thoughts on the tasting notes coming later this week]
Operation Gothic Serpent Rye Whiskey Specifications
- Classification: Rye Whiskey
- Age: 7 Years
- Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Barley
- Proof: 93 (46.5% ABV)
- Tasting Notes: Candied apricot, caramelized pear
- Bottle Size: 750mL
- MSRP: $60.99
- Award: Double Gold, Rye Whiskey Category, 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Companion Product: Hooten Young Operation Gothic Serpent Cigar
“This one isn’t for me. It’s for the 19 men who didn’t come home, and for the families they left behind. If this award brings any attention to their story, that’s the only win that matters.”
— Norm Hooten, Founder, Hooten Young
Why This Award Matters
Rye whiskey has experienced significant growth over the past decade, though the category often remains overshadowed by bourbon in many regions of the United States.
Awards from major competitions can help introduce new consumers to rye while highlighting producers that continue to invest in the category. In the case of Operation Gothic Serpent Rye, the Double Gold recognition may also bring renewed attention to the story and historical significance that inspired the release.
For Hooten Young, the honor represents both a milestone for the brand and an opportunity to further share the legacy behind one of its most meaningful products.
Availability
Operation Gothic Serpent Rye Whiskey is available through Hooten Young’s website and select retailers nationwide.
With a Double Gold designation now attached to the release, availability may become increasingly limited in some markets as whiskey enthusiasts and collectors seek out award-winning bottlings.
The Bottom Line
Many award-winning whiskeys can point to craftsmanship, age, or rarity. Operation Gothic Serpent Rye brings something more personal to the conversation.
Its Double Gold victory at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirms that the whiskey stands among the category’s top performers, but the bottle’s deeper purpose remains central to its identity. Created in memory of the 19 Americans lost during the Battle of Mogadishu, the release serves as both a well-regarded rye whiskey and a lasting tribute to a pivotal chapter in modern military history.
For Hooten Young, the medal may be one of the industry’s highest honors. The story behind it remains the greater legacy.
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