2011 NYISC Winners
THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION ANNOUCES 2011 WINNERS
This Year’s Spirits Competition Once Again Sets Unparalleled Standards and Uncovers the World’s Best-Distilled Spirits
New York, NY (Nov 2, 2011) – In its 2nd year, the New York International Spirits Competition (“NYISC”) was held at 3 West Club on October 16th to taste, evaluate and judge over 300 of the world’s best–distilled spirits – a 65% increase from last years submissions. Over 30 countries submitted their brands to be critiqued by a hand-selected panel of A-List and key TRADE ONLY judges – buyers, retail storeowners, restaurant/bar proprietors, distributors and importers – those that have the unique ability to make a direct impact on sales.
“This year’s significant increase in submissions is a clear sign that the industry truly recognizes and appreciates NYISC’s overall philosophy of judging for real sales impact,” says Adam Levy, Founder of the NYISC. ”While other renowned competitions prize up to 85% of entrants with awards, the discerning panel and ethos of the NYISC is to honor the brands that are most deserving among their peers. This year, NYISC prized only 40% of its entrants.
The Judges awarded only 1 Double Gold Medal,14 Gold Medals, 46 Silver Medals and 61 Bronze Medals.
TOP HONORS INCLUDE:
[box type=”shadow”]DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR: Distell LTD of South Africa. Winner of the only Double Gold medal for their Oude Meester Souverein 18yr Reserve for $115[/box]
WINNING SPIRITS – SEPARATED BY MEDAL AND CATEGORY
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GOLD
Armagnac
Marquis de Montesquiou VSOP $40
Liqueurs
Becherovka
Mezcal
Joya Azul Mezcal $45.99
Real Matlatl Mezcal Alma de Espadin $60
Tequila
Don Julio 1942 Anejo
Dulce Vida Organic Tequila Blanco100 $30
El Tesoro Platinum Tequila $50
El Tesoro Reposado Tequila $54.99
Vodka
LIV Vodka $27.00
Luksusowa Vodka $14.99
Whiskey
Buchanan 18yr $76.99
Bulleit Rye $29.99
Crown Royal $31.99
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SILVER
Armagnac
Armagnac Castarede Reserva de la Familia $100
Brandy
Aqua Eau-de-vie $50.50
Distilleria Montanaro Grappa Barolo 1995 $71.99
Oude Meester 12 reserve $50
Remy Martin V V $40.00
Van Ryn’s 20 Yr Collectors Reserve $160
Gin
Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin $38.00
Distillery 209 $34.99
Tanqueray London Dry Gin $23.99
Tanqueray Ten Gin $29.99
Liqueurs
Art In The Age ROOT $35.00
Cask & Cream Original $10.99
Arak Kawar Kings Ginger Liqueur $39.99
Pallini Limoncello $26.00
Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur $28.00
Mezcal
Don Julio Blanco $47.99
Don Julio 70 Anejo $79.99
Don Julio Real $350.00
El Tesoro Paradiso $109.99
Mi Casa Tequila Blanco $39.99
Mi Casa Tequila Reposado $44.99
Mi Casa Tequila Anejo $49.99
Ilegal Mezcal Anejo $108.00
Wahaka Mezcal Joven Espadin $37.99
Wahaka Mezcal Reposado Con Gusano $40.99
Wahaka Mezcal Joven Madre Cuishe $78.99
Wahaka Mezcal Joven Tobala $78.99
Rum
Bacardi Select $13.49
Botran Rum Botran Solera Denizen Rum $14.99
English Harbour Rum $29.99
Tequila
Jose Cuervo Silver
Vodka
Bee Vodka $48.99
Mainstay Vodka $15.00
Whiskey
Contarf 1014 Irish Whiskey Corsair Quinoa Whiskey $45.00
Glenlivet Nadurra $59.99
Troy & Sons Moonshine $29.95
Vickers Brothers $50.00
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BRONZE
Brandies
Distilleria Montanaro Grappa Arneis $61.99
Oude Meester Demant $20.00
Pisco Don Alvaro $45.00
Pisco Porton $40.00
Van Ryn’s 12 Yr Distillers Reserve $65.00
Gin
Hendrick’s Gin $35.00
Gibson Gin $20.00
Sipsmith London Dry Gin $45.00
Smooth Ambler Greenbrier Gin $29.99
Liqueurs
Art In The Age Snap $35.00
Bailey Caramel $26.99
Bittermens Commonwealth $24.99
Cask & Cream Chocolate Tempation $10.99
JAAN-PAAN Liqueur $35.00
Luxardo Cherry Liqueur $23.95
St Germain $35.99
Tekirdag Rakisi Gold Yeni Raki Ala Raki $34.90
Rum
Atlantico Platino $19.99
Atlantico Reserva $24.99
Bacardi Oakheart $13.99
Bacardi Rock Coconut $14.99
Bacardi 8 $20.02
Bacardi Reserva Limiteda $84.99
Dos Maderas 5+3 $29.99
Dos Maderas PX $39.99
Envy Rum $28.00
Tequila
3 Amigos Tequila Organic Blanco $29.99
Chinaco Reposado $54.99
Don Julio Anejo $55.99
Dulce Vida Organic Tequila Anejo $45.00
Entre Dos Tierras Gold $25.00
El Tesoro Anejo Tequila $59.99
Familia Camarena Reposado $20.00
Familia Camarena Tequila Silver $20.00
Jose Cuervo Tradicional
Jose Cuervo Extra Anejo
Vodka
Broken Shed Vodka $43.10
Brooklyn Republic Vodka $23.99
Missippi River Pilot $23.99
Pyla Vodka $43.10
Purity Vodka $39.00
Reyka Vodka $22.00
Smooth Ambler Whitewater Vodka Valentine Vodka $26.99
Whiskey
Black Bull $49.95
Buchanan Original $37.99
Bushmills Original $26.99
Crown Royal XR $139.99
Four Roses Bourbon Single Barrel $45.00
Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch $35.00
Four Roses Bourbon 2011 Limited Edition Small Batch $95.00
George Dickell 12yr $19.99
George Dickell Barrel Select $24.99
Glenlivet 12yr $34.99
Glenlivet 15yr $49.99
Highland Park 18yr 109.99
Whistle Pig Rye
The Wild Geese Irish Soldiers Classic Blend $39.99
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This Year’s NYISC 2011 judging panel included:
Chris Hiatt- Retail Store Buyer Slope Cellars, Brooklyn
Raphael Reyes- Mixologist at 1534
Francis Schott- Partner Stage Left, New Brunswick NJ and Restaurant Guys Radio
David Lombardo – Beverage Director at Benchmarc Restaurants
Courtenay Greenleaf- Tequila Librarian La Biblioteca Richard Sandoval Restaurants
Junior Merino – Liquid Chef
David Grapshi
Nicolas Palazzi – PM Spirits
Stephanie Moreno- Spirits Buyer
Flavien Desoblin- Owner of Brand Library
Patrick McCarthy- Whiskey Buyer, Bayway Liquors, Elizabeth NJ
John Ranklin- Spirits Buyer- Chamber Street Wine Store, NY NY
Marlon Paltoo- Spirits Buyer- Park Avenue Liquors
Elana Effrat – Spirits Buyer
Jeff Galli- Spirits Buyer Char No. 4
Michael Neff- Ward III
Scott Rosenbaum- Buyer for retailer Vitis
James Menite – Fornino
David Ross -Beverage Director at Feng Asian Bistro in CT
Frank Cisneros- Mixologist at Dram
Julie Albertini- Corporate Mixologist for Allied Beverage
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COMPETITION OVERVIEW:
All spirits are judged by every brand’s TRUE key trade target – buyers, retail stores, restaurant & bar owners, distributors and importers. Unlike other competitions, these expert TRADE ONLY judges and their opinions have immediate impact and the ability to make a direct influence on sales and a brand’s bottom line. These panelists of trade volunteers are not involved for publicity or for their industry position as critics or members of the press. They are the decision makers, experts who have an authentic understanding of the business of buying and selling spirits.
Each product category has a sub category for pricing. Therefore, a spirit will be judged in its category along with other spirits in its same price range. Each category will have its own pricing levels and details are listed on the submission form. For example, a $35 bourbon will be placed into a judging category with a $40 bourbon and not a $70 bourbon.
Brands will be rated on a set of criteria including appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel and finish. Upon completion of the tastings, panelists will confer and decide which samples are award worthy.
Award levels are Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
Double Gold: Phenomenal Product for Buyers
Gold: Buyers “Love” It
Silver: Buyers “Like” It
Bronze: Buyers will purchase it
For more information about the competitions please visit:
www.nyibeveragecompetition.com