The Bar Show Debuts the New York Spirits Awards, June 2009
The New York Spirits Awards is dedicated to finding and honoring the very best of class in the spirits industry. The Awards will be the culmination of a two-day tasting competition covering all classifications of distilled spirits.
Spirits brands are invited to submit their product for evaluation by a panel of judges who interact on a daily basis with the ultimate decision-maker—the consumer. Spirits importers, distributors, restaurant owners, mixologists, hospitality experts, liquor store owners—everyone who reaches the consumer directly will be involved.
Led by Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink, members of the on- and off-sale community will come together during The Bar Show in June at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. The judges will score each brand in five categories: appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel and finish. The maximum point score is 100. The top-scoring ten percent in each category will be awarded “Best in Class”. The highest score in each category will be the recipient of an “FDR” award, named in honor of one of America’s greatest presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who actively supported and endorsed the repeal of Prohibition.
“The NYSA differs from other tasting events because of its judges,” says Dori Bryant, co-founder of the NYSA. “Every time a consumer makes a purchase at retail or calls for a brand at a bar, they are casting their vote for a brand. Our judges introduce consumers to brands every day by recommending and or selecting a product.”
“We decided to hold the event in New York City because it is true that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere,” she says. “And we felt that The Bar Show provided a perfect opportunity.”
The NYSA is honored to support the venerable Sky Ranch Foundation. For more information and to download entry forms, visit www.nyspiritsawards.com
For press inquiries, a list of judges or to arrange for interviews with the organizers or judges, please contact Roseann Sessa at Savvy Drinks.
