San Francisco, here we come! It is not every day that the top-notch bartenders of the country are invited to come together and figure out the best spirit for bars and restaurants in the USA. The 4th annual Bartender Spirits Awards is set to do just that on May 15, 2022, and you are invited to submit your spirit for judging. 

The aim of the spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands targeting the U.S. bar trade. The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. In order to be selected as a judge, bartenders need to demonstrate their expertise in the on-premise industry.

The 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards witnessed an overwhelming submission of spirits from all across the world. The competition saw more than 850 submissions from 45 countries. The United States had the top submissions followed by Mexico and France.

If you pick a brand with a Bartender Spirits Awards sticker on it then you know it has been personally selected, judged and assessed by the best spirits buyers in the US on-premise sector.

Here are the top winners of the 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards

Spirit of the Year - Uncle Nearest 1820 Premium Single Barrel Whiskey

Distillery of the Year - Uncle Nearest

Best Value of the Year - Jean Fillioux Cognac Grande Champagne La Pouyade

Best Package of the Year - Green Hat Gin Citrus Floral Gin

Liqueur of the Year - Amaro Di Angostura

Gin of the Year - Green Hat Gin Citrus Floral

Vodka of the Year - Cylinder Vodka

Tequila of the Year - Espanita Anejo Tequila

World Whisky of the Year - Uncle Nearest 1820 Premium Single Barrel Whiskey

Brandy/ Cognac of the Year - Jean Fillioux Cognac Grande Champagne La Pouyade

Rum of the Year - Terra Mariae Spiced Rum

View 2021 All Bartender Spirits Awards Winners

The Bartender Spirits Awards judge spirits across the parameters of Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package and Price. 

Medals were awarded to those spirits that met very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying spirits that should become additions to bar inventories. Each spirits brand was evaluated on Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package and Price.

Jessica Schjavland at the judging event of 2021 Bartender Spirits Awards

Bartender Spirits Awards was able to resume in-person judging in 2021 where America’s top bartenders came to review brands from more than 45 different countries.

Benefits on why you should enter in the 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards

1. Winners to get awareness among consumers in the USA

(Media coverage on Chicago Drinks Guide, Los Angeles Drinks Guide, San Francisco Drinks Guide, and New York Drinks Guide)

2. Results to go to 50,000+ trade professionals in the USA in the Beverage Trade Network community

3. Results will get press awareness among media partners of the Bartender Spirits Awards and will be posted on BTN news, Bartenders Business, and Bevroute News

4. Results to go to 20,000+ Bartenders and On-Premise Spirits Buyers of USA

5. Entrants to get customized Shelf-Talkers and Tasting Notes

6. Free first 1000 medal stickers added to your sticker order

7. Detailed Scores Feedback

8. Top 100 winners at BSA will be included in the Top 100 On-Premise Spirits list

9. Buyers and Bartenders will see your package giving you great exposure

10. Results also get circulated to 2000+ spirits importers and distributors in USA
 

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About Bartender Spirits Awards

Bartender Spirits Awards gathers the top on-premise buyers, bar managers, and bartenders who have a direct influence on the US on-premise market.

Grow Your On-Premise Brand Presence In The US Market by put your spirits in front of them and get rated by Mixability, Balance & Versatility, Price, Packaging, and Taste, Mouthfeel, & Finish. 

BSA Entry Process & Fees

Leading spirits brands from around the world now have an opportunity to grow their business and gain the attention of top on-premise buyers, Bar managers, bartenders, and influencers within the U.S. on-premise industry. Time to submit your spirits in the 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards.