NYISC 2010 Results
INTRODUCING THE MEDAL WINNERS FROM THE DEBUT OF THE
NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION
This is the year that the face of spirits competitions changes
November 22, 2010, New York, NY – The New York International Spirits Competition, which welcomed 187 submissions from 28 countries in 47 categories had only 1 Double Gold, 13 Golds, 36 Silver and 45 Bronze Medals. The NYISC also awarded a “Distillery of The Year” and “Importer of The Year” This is the first major international spirits competition to be judged solely by members of the trade who have purchasing power through their stores, bars, distribution networks and their resulting ability to make a direct impact on brand sales.
Held at the Brandy Library earlier this month this year’s judging panel included buyers from the top retail stores, restaurant and bar owners, distributors and importers who all donated their time and palates without hesitation or compensation.
Additionally, what sets this competition apart from others where members of the media are included in the judging process is the fact that the New York International Spirits Competition judges evaluate spirits within their categories at pricing parity. So, for instance, a whiskey that retails for $50 will be judged with other whiskeys in that price range and not be put up against whiskies that go for $100.[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF06dHjfllM[/tube]
While keeping to the philosophy that “like should be compared with like” when it comes to pricing, the competition also strives to only award the crème de la crème in a category, instead of handing out medals to every entrant. Only the truly stand-out brands end up in the winner’s circle and then, accordingly, find themselves placed up on wine and liquor store shelves and on the city’s best back bars. In addition to considering similarly priced bottles against similarly priced bottles, each spirit was sampled for appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel, and finish. Each panel conferred on their choices to come to a unanimous decision.
Spirits landing on these shelves are carrying awards designated as either: Double Gold, Gold, Silver, or Bronze though not every bottle entered received a medal, as is common practice with many other competitions. A Bronze medal indicates it is something a judge would consider carrying; Silver medals designate the spirit that judges really liked; Gold medals are affixed to brands that the judging panel believed was worth promoting to their customers; Gold award winners were re-tasted by all panelists to establish which brands may be eligible to receive a ‘Double Gold’ endorsement in its pricing.
IMPORTER OF THE YEAR
DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR
SPIRITS CATEGORIES AND MEDAL WINNERS
Whiskies
Blended Irish Whiskey Less Than $40
Blended Scotch Whiskey 10 Year And Younger & Less Than $40
Blended Scotch Whiskey 11-20 Years Less Than $40
Blended Scotch Whiskey 11-20 Years $40-70
Distillers Single Malt 10 Years And Younger & Less Than $40
Distillers Single Malt 11-20 Years & $40-70
Glendronach 14Yr Virgin Oak Finish-Gold
Distillers Single Malt 11-20 Year & $71-100
Distillers Single Malt 11-20 Year & $101+
GlenDronach 15 Year 1995 Cask 2045-Bronze
Single Malt Irish Whiskey 10 Year & Younger $40-70
Small Batch Bourbons 10Yr and Younger & $40 Less
Straight Bourbon 10 Year and Younger & $40 Less
Aged Craft Distillery Less Than 2 Year & $40 Less
Catoctin Roundstone Rye- Silver
Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey- Silver
Rogue Oregon Single Malt-Bronze
Aged Craft Distillery Less Than 2 Year & $41-70
Unaged Craft Distillery Less Than $40
Catoctin Organic Mosby Spirit-Silver
Unaged Craft Distillery $41-70
Vodkas
Unflavored Vodka Less Than $25
Unflavored Vodka $26-40
Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka- Gold
Silver “CHINGGIS” Mongolian Vodka- Silver
Unflavored Vodka $41+
Flavored Vodka Less Than $25
Stolichynaya Blueberry- Silver
360 Vodka Cola Double Chocolate- Silver
Stolichynaya Gala Apple- Bronze
Flavored Vodka $26-40
Gin
Gin $26-40
Gin $41+
Gin Craft Flavored Gin $26-40
Rum
Rum White $25 Less
Rum Dark $25 Less
Rum Dark $26-40
Rum Dark $41+
Rum Gold $25 Less
Santa Teresa Gran Reserva- Bronze
Rum Gold $26-40
Rum Spiced $25 Less
Rum Liqueur $25 Less
BRANDIES
Cognac XO $151+
‘Cognac Hors D’age Bache-Gabrielsen- Bronze
Eau-de-Vie $30 Less
French Grape Brandy $30 Less
Pisco $30 Less
Don Alvaro- Gold
Other Brandies $30 Less
Staldjanska Muscat Matured Rakia- Bronze
Liquers
Absinthe $41+
Coffee Liqueurs $25 Less
Cream/Dairy Liqueurs $25 Less
Fruit Liqueurs $25 Less
Fruit Liqueurs $26-40
Herbal/Botanicals $25 Less
Herbal/Botanicals $26-40
Unlisted Spirit $26-40
Tequila
Blanco $30 Less
Blanco $31-50
Reposado $30 Less
Reposado $31-50
Reposado $51+
Anejo $30 Less
Anejo $31-50
Anejo $51+
Judging Panel:
Bek Allen Partner -Hush Cocktails
Miguel Aranda Mixologist – Apotheke
Flavian Desoblin Owner – Brandy Library
Ray Deter Owner – d.b.a
Eben Freeman Beverage Director – Altamarea Group
Courtenay Greenleaf Tequila Librarian of La Biblioteca – Richard Sandoval Restaurants
Chris Hiatt Slope Cellars of Brooklyn
Katherine Ramos Drink Up NY
Raphael Reyes Mixologist – 1534
David Roth Beverage Director- Feng Asian Bistro
Erin-Elizabeth Williams Partner – Hush Cocktails
For more information:
Adam Levy
info@berlininternationalspiritscompetition.com
V. (201) 747-7111
F. (917) 338-0163