Two major spirit competitions announced their winners last week: the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Gathering top prizes at the inaugural Ultimate Spirit Challenge were:
Vodka and Aquavit - Orzel Vodka (Poland)
Gin and Genever - Broker’s London Dry Gin
Tequila and Mescal - Tres Agaves Anejo Tequila
Rum and Cachaça - Mount Gay Rum 1703
Ireland & Wales Whiskey - Midleton Very Rare 2008 Blended Irish Whiskey
Scotland Whisky - The Macallan Fine Oak 21 Year Old Malt Whisky
U.S. & Canada Whiskey - George Dickel No. 12 Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey
World Brandy, Grappa & Eau-de-Vie - Nonino Grappa Il Merlot
Cognac - Frapin Chateau Fontpinot XO Grande Champagne Cognac
Armagnac - Chateau du Busca-Maniban Hors d’Age Tenareze-Armagnac
Calvados - Boulard Grand Solage Pays d’Auge Calvados
World Liqueurs, Absinthes & Other – St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Next up for the Ultimate Beverage Challenge series is the Ultimate Cocktail Competition to be held April 12-14 in New York City. Look for coverage in upcoming issues of NCB Mix.
The winners of top prizes at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition were:
Best In Show, White Spirit - Trago Silver Tequila
Best In Show, Whisky - Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch
Best In Show, Brandy - Père Magloire 20 Year Old Vintage Calvados
Best In Show, Rum - Vizcaya VXOP Solera Rum, Dominican Republic
Best In Show, Liqueur - Grand Marnier 100th Anniversary
Best Vodka - Chase Vodka, England
Best Flavored Vodka - Rain Organics Cucumber Lime Vodka, USA
Best Gin - Beefeater Gin 24, England
Best Extra-Aged Rum - Pusser's 15 Year Old Rum, Nelson's Blood
Best Cachaça - Leblon
Best Reposado Tequila - Trago Reposado Tequila
Best Añejo Tequila – Tie, El Jimador Añejo and Mujer Bonita Añejo
Best Mescal - El Zacatecano Añejo Mescal
Best Bourbon - Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Best Canadian Whisky - Seagrams VO Canadian Whisky
Best Irish Whiskey – Bushmills 1608 Irish Whiskey
Best Blended Scotch - The Grand Bark Equinoxe
Best Single Malt Scotch - Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Best Armagnac - Comte de Lauvia 21 Year Old Armagnac
Best Pisco - Pisco O Torontel Pisco, Ica, Peru
Best Cream Liqueur - Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur