Photo Credit: DANIEL KRIEGER
The results are in for the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge®, the world’s premier spirits competition. Today, Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) announces 37 Chairman Trophy winners, the highest award, along with 218 Finalists, 171 Tried & True Awards(SM) and 89 Great Values (http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/the-results/2014-spirits-results/). The Challenge, celebrating its fifth anniversary, was held in New York on March 10-14; and, for the second consecutive year, a perfect 100 point score was given by multiple panels to a whiskey: Redbreast 21 Years Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
The back of house team that keeps Ultimate Spirits Challenge running smoothly – (L to R) Steve Fette, team leader Leo DeGroff, Zachary Overman, Luis Guzman, Dave Roochvarg and Sean Kenyon
The judges for Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014 – back row, L to R: Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) partner and Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, UBC partner David Talbot, Steve Olson, UBC partner Sue Woodley, Dan Nicolaescu, UBC partner and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Dave Wondrich, Jim Meehan; front row, L to R: James Conley, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan MW, Tad Carducci, Andy Seymour, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Dale DeGroff
Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. Based on exacting standards, expert judges and rigorous methodology, UBC endeavors to raise the standards of spirits and wine evaluation and supplies ratings and accolades designed to help companies build their brands with buyers, both industry and consumer. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley, David Talbot and Sean Ludford.
Bottles as far as the eye can see! Entries to Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
A selection of spirit entries to Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
A selection of spirit entries to Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
“Interest in Ultimate Spirits Challenge has never been greater,” says Ultimate Spirits Challenge founder F. Paul Pacult. “Companies [now] enter because they want brands to be evaluated against their peers by the world’s best judges. USC provides the most trusted, sought after testimonials that help distillers and importers build their brands.”
This year, USC introduces the Tried & True Award(SM) to recognize brands that can be relied on to provide unfailing quality and superb taste to consumers year after year. To be eligible, brands that entered USC 2014 must have scored 85 points or higher in this year’s Challenge as well as in at least two previous Challenges.
Jacques Bezuidenhout judging for Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
A flight of spirits ready to be handed out to judges at Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
All products entered are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges that include award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants. This year’s judges were: USC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Jim Meehan, Dan Nicolaescu, Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW and David Wondrich.
THE 2014 RESULTS
All spirits rated 85 points and higher receive their own page showing current award results, downloadable score icons, tasting notes and bottle image. USC results will be promoted via the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide to be published in the October issue of The Beverage Media Group‘s top 15 U.S. markets, reaching more than 70,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers.
2014 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE – CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS
For a complete list of results visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2014results
APERITIF
Luxardo Aperitivo
VODKA
Unflavored: Absolut
Flavored: Belvedere Lemon Tea
AQUAVIT
Linie Aquavit (Tried & True Award)
GIN
Tanqueray No.Ten (Tried & True Award)
RUM
Rum: Don Q Gran Anejo (Tried & True Award)
Rhum Agricole: Clement Canne Bleue
Flavored Rum: Selvarey Cacao Flavored
Spiced Rum: Lemon Hart Navy Spiced
CACHACA
Sagatiba Velha
TEQUILA 100% AGAVE
Blanco: Siete Leguas (Tried & True Award)
Reposado: Blue Nectar
Anejo: Siete Leguas (Tried & True Award)
Extra Anejo: Herradura Seleccion Suprema (Tried & True Award)
MEZCAL
Del Maguey Iberico
WHISKEY – USA
American: Wild Turkey Forgiven
Kentucky Straight Bourbon: George T. Stagg
Rye: Bulleit 95 Small Batch
WHISKEY – IRELAND
Blended: Tullamore D.E.W. Special Reserve 12 Years Old (Tried & True Award)
Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 21 Years Old
Single Malt: Bushmills 16 Years Old (Tried & True Award)
WHISKY – SCOTLAND
Blended Malt: Big Peat
Blended: Ballantine’s 17 Years Old
Single Malt: Glenmorangie Quarter Century 25 Years Old
WHISKY – CANADA
Alberta Premium Dark Horse
WHISKY – JAPAN
Nikka Coffey Grain
BRANDY
Armagnac: Chateau de Laubade 1959 Bas-Armagnac
Calvados: Pere Magloire 20 Years Old
Cognac: Delamain Pale & Dry
Grappa: Bocchino Riserva Carlo Bocchino
Pisco: KAPPA (Tried & True Award)
Spanish Brandy: Cardenal Mendoza Carta Real Brandy de Jerez
American Brandy: Osocalis Heritage
Pineau des Charentes: Jean Fillioux Vieux
LIQUEUR
Cointreau (Tried & True Award)
VERMOUTH
Maurin Dry
SHOCHU
iichiko Frasco
Filed under: Fine Living, Fine Wines & Liqueur, Wines & Spirits Tagged: 2014 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE®