Graeter's Won Dairy Foods Product of the Year
The Cincinnati ice cream maker secured the top award for its Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor in a national reader poll.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Desserts
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Graeter's has been named the winner of the 2026 Dairy Foods Product of the Year award. The Cincinnati-based company secured the title after receiving 57% of the total votes cast by readers.
Why it matters
This award marks a significant achievement for the local business, which also claimed the top spot in 2025. The recognition highlights the continued popularity of the brand among consumers in the competitive dairy market.
Graeter's secured 57% of the total votes, outperforming 11 other nominees in the 2026 competition. The brand previously earned this distinction in 2025 for its Skyline Spice Ice Cream.
The players
Graeter's
This Cincinnati-based, family-owned business is a long-standing manufacturer of premium ice cream.
The details
Readers of Dairy Foods magazine selected the winner from a pool of 12 finalists. Graeter's Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor took the top honor in the 2026 contest, continuing the brand's winning streak after its success the prior year.
Timeline
Graeter's won the award for its Skyline Spice Ice Cream in 2025.
The 2026 Product of the Year award was granted to Graeter's in October 2026.
Culture Shift
The win follows the precedent set by the 2025 Dairy Foods Product of the Year award, demonstrating sustained brand dominance. This consecutive success highlights how artisanal, local brands are successfully leveraging consumer sentiment against national mass-market competitors.
Residents may notice increased demand or promotional displays for the winning Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor at local scoop shops and retailers. This national recognition often leads to shorter shelf availability for limited-run flavors as brand popularity grows.
The takeaway
Maintaining quality control remains critical for brands that frequently release seasonal or experimental flavors. Consumers can continue to shape industry trends through participation in major trade publication polls.
Further reading
Learn more about local favorites in the Desserts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dairy Foods Magazine.
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