Proof 8 named finalist in the 2026 DISCUS Innovation Showcase
Proof 8 has been named one of just six finalists in the 2026 DISCUS Innovation Showcase, the only technology and British entrant, to be recognised for their Digital Deeds innovation in these highly respected global awards.
Gareth McAllister Ahascragh Distillery scanning Proof 8 Digital Deeds
Organised by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), the Innovation Showcase highlights pioneering advancements across packaging, sustainability, technology, supply chain, marketing and social responsibility.
Now in its sixth year, the competition celebrates innovations with originality, scalability, feasibility and real-world impact.
Proof 8’s Digital Deeds stood out to judges for solving the challenge of transparency in the industry.
These secure, blockchain-based digital records prove ownership, provenance and location for every cask throughout its lifetime providing distilleries and warehouses with real-time visibility across every stage of cask management, removing the risk and inefficiency associated with paper-based or outdated legacy systems.
Stuart Maxwell, chief operating officer at Proof 8 says, “To be named finalists in the DISCUS Innovation Showcase is global acknowledgement from a leading industry body that Digital Deeds are solving a long-standing, complex problem for the spirits industry.
“We’re focused on helping distillers and warehouses operate with greater efficiency and transparency, so they spend less time on admin and more time crafting exceptional spirits.
“Digital Deeds give everyone, from producers to cask owners, the confidence and clarity they now expect to know where a cask is, what’s in it and who produced it, with every small detail accounted for.
“They’ve transformed a critical part of modern distilling and are indicative of the industry’s shift towards smarter, more transparent systems.”
DISCUS president and CEO Chris Swonger, says, “These six finalists exemplify the creativity, craftsmanship and forward-thinking spirit driving our industry.
“The Innovation Showcase is a powerful platform to recognise new ideas and technologies that move the spirits community forward, from production and packaging to sustainability and consumer engagement.”
The winner will be announced at the DISCUS Annual Conference in March 2026.
