The Ultimate Spirits Challenge, now in it’s second year of life, started judging for the best spirit on Tuesday, March 1st at the Astor Center in New York City. Judges with years of experience in the spirit industry gathered together to taste flights of every kind of spirit in order to decide whose drink reigns supreme.
Founded by award-winning journalist, author, educator and critic F. Paul Pacult, wine and spirits publishing industry veteran David Talbot, and Spirit Journal Managing Editor Sue Woodley, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge is scored on a 100 point scale, with 95-100 being extraordinary, 90-94 being excellent, 85-89 being very good, and 80-84 being good.
During the tasting session, judges such as Dale DeGroff, David Wondrich, Jacques Bezuidenhout and Jim Meehan, among several others, tasted all kinds of spirits, scored them accordingly, and discussed their opinions on each glass brought to them. And while the judging was taken seriously by all participants, there was still time for joy and laughter, and to enjoy their time tasting some of the best spirits in the world.
The final day of judging will be Thursday, March 3rd, and the winners of the competition will be announced by the end of March. For more information about the competition, go to www.ultimate-beverage.com.
