How does a spirit brand stand out in the modern world? Flavour, of course, is crucial, but many drinkers have made up their minds before they even get to that stage. The truth is this: the market is hugely crowded, and a spirit brand needs to be visually appealing. Most drinks competitions don’t take that into account - but the Bartender Spirits Awards, which take place May 17, 2021, are different.

How a bottle looks - which is to say, the first impression that a bartender, sommelier or drinker will get of your product - is a central part of judging for this competition. But doesn’t that mean judges know which brand they’re drinking, thereby rendering the tasting section invalid? No. Judges, who are drawn from amongst the country’s finest mixologists, bartenders, and managers, only get to see packaging after completing the tasting part of the process. The tasting section is completely unbiased.

The competition is a great opportunity for under-exposed brands to demonstrate why they deserve more attention - and for well-known favorites to show they’ve earned the limelight. Now is the perfect time to enter as Submission Ends On April 20, 2021

Enter Your Spirits Now

The tasting section judges entries in three ways: mixability, balance and versatility, and taste, mouthfeel and finish. These are the crucial components of a truly memorable and delicious spirit. Price is also judged: an award is offered for the best value spirit of the year, a key consideration in such a competitive, price-sensitive market.

Awards are also given for Spirit of The Year, Distillery of the Year, and Best Package, alongside prizes for each spirit, from whisky to rum. The most coveted prize of all, perhaps, is a double gold medal, a rare achievement indeed: last year only one spirit, DROUET VSOP COGNAC which is made by Drouet., achieved that. 

Plenty of spirits shone, though. Indeed, last year’s winners demonstrate the global reach of the awards. Here are the highlights: 

Spirit of the Year - DROUET VSOP COGNAC

Distillery of the Year - Drouet 

Best Value of the Year - DROUET VSOP COGNAC

Best Package of the Year - V-Sinne Gin Schwarzwald Dry Gin

Liqueur of the Year - Ginja9

Gin of the Year - Kinsale Gin

Vodka of the Year - South Fork Vodka

Tequila of the Year - Maestro Dobel Anejo

Whisky of the Year - Meiyo 17 Japanese Whisky

Brandy/ Cognac of the Year - DROUET VSOP COGNAC

Rum of the Year - Saltwater Woody REAL GRAPEFRUIT

View 2020 All Bartenders Spirits Awards Winners

Entries will be judged fairly and thoroughly. The judges are a diverse, experienced bunch, who know their single malt from their single barrel. Amongst a stellar line-up you’ll find Juyoung Kang, the multi-award-winning Lead Bartender & Mixologist at The Dorsey in Las Vegas; Natasha Mesa, head bartendress at Deadshot in Portland, Oregon; Daniel Parks, beverage director at the Future Bars group in the Bay Area; and Simone Mimms, bar manager at Palette in San Francisco. It’s a savvy, stylish group, more than capable of sorting the chaff from the wheat.

The competition doesn’t end when the awards are all handed out, either. The Bartender Spirits Awards’ media partners will promote the winning brands in a variety of impactful ways, from mailouts to the 50,000-strong Beverage Trade Network community to coverage in publications like BTN news, Bartenders Business, and BevRoute. There’ll be all-year round social media coverage for winners and the top 100 spirits will feature in ‘The Top 100 On-Premise Spirits’ magazine, a glossy celebration of the best. Don’t miss out - make sure you get your entry in before the submission ends.