Results: 2010 SIP Awards
Following the success of it’s inaugural spirits competition in 2009, The Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards presented the 2010 SIP Awards at the exclusive Ivy Rooftop at the Hyatt Andaz Hotel in downtown San Diego, CA on June 10.
This year’s competition proved to be an even greater challenge for each of the 162 spirits competing for the coveted Platinum Prize awarded to the consumer’s spirit of choice! The SIP Awards is the only international spirits competition leveling the playing field for established brands and newcomers alike by enlisting consumers as judges. These judges engage in blind tastings by scoring each spirit on Aroma, Taste, and Finish.
The competition featured a judging panel of 50 consumers who were personally selected from over 300 submission applications. These judges were chosen based on a detailed review of the demographical information provided on their submission form.
“We look for the average end user of the products, and make our selection based on specific demographical info to ensure a true representation of the consumer,” states Navid Firoozi, Event Production Director for the SIP Awards. “Furthermore, we verify that no judge is in any shape or form affiliated with or employed by a distributor or wholesaler, or has ties within the alcoholic beverage industry”.
Global brands featured in the competition included but were not exclusive to Vodkas, Gins, Rums, Whiskeys, Tequilas, and Liqueurs. Several countries were represented including England, U.S.A, Mexico, India, South Africa, Turkey, Finland, and Germany. The following is a list of some of the notable winners:
Platinum – “Best of Class”
- New Amsterdam Gin
- Shakers Original American Vodka
- 360 Double Chocolate Vodka
- Antiguo Blanco Tequila
- Ambhar Reposado Tequila
- El Jimador Anejo Tequila
- Semillero Joven Mezcal
- Don Q Anejo Rum
- Deadman’s Mango Rum
- A.de Fussigny XO Fine Champagne
- Nature’s Own Strawberry Delight
- Don Q Mojito
- Bong Spirit Vodka
Distinguished Platinum Winners
- Crater Lake Vodka
- Dolce Touch Hybrid Luxury Vodka
- Smooth Vodka
- Binboa Satsuma Vodka
- Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion Vodka
- Rose by Dragon Bleu Vodka
- UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka
- The Balvenie Doublewood
- Autentico Tequila Alacran
- Familia Camarena Silver Tequila
- Herradura Anejo Tequila
- Tequila 1519 Reposado
- Zignum Mezcal Anejo
- IS Vodka
- Sipping Spirits Resolute Pink Vodka
- U’Luvka Gift Box
Despite being in only its second year, The SIP Awards has established itself as one of the top spirits competitions, welcomed by brand owners, wholesalers, and distributors.
“This year we were pleased to see so many brands register and enter the competition”, says Operations Director Daniela Williams. “Our competition strives to be as transparent as possible when it comes to our judging, and scoring as well as identifying the winners based on our panel of consumer judges…we’re looking forward to expanding on our model and welcoming an even higher number of participants in 2011”.
Click here for a complete list of the categories, participants, winners, and photos of the 2010 SIP Awards.
