The New York Spirits Awards Announces Results

The New York Spirits Awards Announces Results

The New York Spirits Awards (NYSA) recently announced the spirited winners of its inaugural event. Founded in 2009 by two industry veterans, Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate, and Adam Levy, a spirits writer, the NYSA is dedicated to finding and honoring the very best of class in the spirits industry. Over 250 brands from all over the world entered the debut event which was held on June 14 and 15 at the Javits Center during the New York Bar Show.

The distinguished judging panel, led by Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink, was composed of members of the on and off-sale community. In a blind tasting, the judges scored each brand on a 100-point system. The NYSA awarded honors at three levels: The “Best of Show” award was given to the brand with the highest score; the “FDR Award”, named for the U.S. President credited with the repeal of Prohibition, was awarded to the highest scoring brand in each category; and the “Best of Class” honor was given to the top scoring 20% of brands in each category.

In an unusual turn of events, the Best of Show award resulted in a tie. Two extraordinary brands will share this honor for 2009. The superb quality of Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac and Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo proved unbeatable.

FDR Award WInners

Best of Class Winners
(By category in alphabetical order)

Agave Spirits
Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic
Tequila El Grado Blanco
Tequila Galindo Anejo
Tequila Gran Centenario Rosangel
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Plata
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo
Tequila Lunazul Blanco
Tequila Lunazul Reposado
Metl 2012 Reserva Especial Mezcal

Agave Spirits, Tequila Blanco
Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic
Tequila El Grado Blanco
Tequila Mejor Blanco

Agave Spirits, Tequila Reposado
Tequila La Certeza Reposado
Tequila Mejor Reposado

Brandy/Cognac
Bache-Gabrielsen Classic XO Cognac
Camus Borderies XO Cognac
Camus Seraphin XO Cognac
Pierre Ferrand-Selection Des Anges
Pisco Gran Sierpe

Gin
Monopolowa Vienna Dry Gin
Seneca Drums Gin

Liqueurs
Artemisia Absinthe
Bottega Sambuca Liqueur
Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur
Drambuie Liqueur
Nature’s Own Juggernaut Liqueur
Navan Liqueur
Zwack Liqueur

Liqueurs/Fruit
Grand Marnier Liqueur
Limonce Liqueur

Rum
Bacardi 8 Rum
Bacardi Reserva Limitada Rum
Bacardi Select Rum
Beija Cachaca
Don Q Grand Anejo Puerto Rican Rum
Sergeant Classick Gold Hawaiian Rum
Sunset Captain Bligh Golden Rum
Vizcaya VXOP Rum

Vodka, Unflavored
Core Vodka
LiV Vodka
Sonnema Vodka Herb
Stawski Potato Vodka
U4RIK Vodka
Vintner’s Vodka

Vodka, Flavored
Firefly Lemon Tea Flavored Vodka
Kai Lychee Vodka
Me Oko Strawberry Vodka

Vodka, Wheat
Stolichnaya Elit
Taxi French Vodka

Whiskies, All
Ardbeg Ungeidal Single Malt Whisky
The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood Single Malt
Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Connemara Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Single Barrel Bourbon
George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Glennfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old
The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select

Whiskies, Single Malt
The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Click here for more information on the New York Spirits Awards

Or contact:
Dori Bryant, [email protected]
Adam Levy, [email protected]