18/12/2024 Celebrating excellence in the spirits industry, these awards honor distilleries demonstrating exceptional quality, consistency, and innovation in specific spirit categories
The Bartender Spirits Awards has introduced the “Category Distillery of the Year” Medals, a new initiative aimed at recognizing distilleries that consistently excel in crafting outstanding spirits across a range of categories. These medals reward distilleries for their exceptional achievements in quality, value, and packaging, positioning them as leaders in their respective fields.
Categories Included:
The medals will be awarded in the following spirit categories:
- Whisky Distillery of the Year
- Gin Distillery of the Year
- Vodka Distillery of the Year
- Rum Distillery of the Year
- Tequila Distillery of the Year
- Brandy Distillery of the Year
- Cognac Distillery of the Year
- Liqueur Distillery of the Year
- RTD (Ready-to-Drink) Distillery of the Year
These honors highlight the performance of a distillery’s portfolio within each category, emphasizing consistency, innovation, and craftsmanship across multiple submissions.
“The ‘Category Distillery of the Year’ Medals celebrate not just individual products but the incredible work behind entire portfolios. It’s a testament to the dedication and expertise of distilleries that consistently deliver excellence,” said Sid Patel, CEO of Bartender Spirits Awards.
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Benefits of Winning the Medal:
Winning a “Category Distillery of the Year” Medal provides distilleries with numerous advantages:
- Global Recognition: Establish your distillery as a top-tier producer on an international stage.
- Enhanced Credibility: Demonstrate consistent quality and expertise in spirit production.
- Marketing Edge: Leverage the medal in promotional campaigns, packaging, and trade presentations.
- Consumer Trust: Gain consumer confidence with a symbol of excellence.
- Trade Buyer Appeal: Attract attention from retailers, bars, and distributors.
- Sales Growth: Increase sales by standing out in a competitive market.
- Media Exposure: Benefit from coverage through press releases, social media campaigns, and industry spotlights.
- Long-Term Branding: Utilize the medal’s prestige to reinforce your brand’s reputation for years.
- Team Motivation: Inspire your team to strive for excellence and take pride in their work.
- Export Opportunities: Strengthen your appeal in international markets.
How It Works:
Eligibility:
Distilleries must submit at least four spirits within the same category (e.g., whisky, gin, or tequila) to the Bartender Spirits Awards. All entries in the category are automatically considered for the medal.
Judging Process:
- Spirits are evaluated on quality, value for money, and packaging.
- A distillery’s score in a category is determined by averaging the scores of all its entries.
- To qualify, distilleries must achieve:
- An average score of 90 or higher across entries.
- A minimum of two gold medals in the category.
Final Selection:
After judging, the top five distilleries in each category are shortlisted. Shortlisted distilleries complete a questionnaire evaluating their innovation, craftsmanship, and overall impact within their category. Judges will use this feedback, alongside the numerical scores, to determine the winners.
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Announcement and Recognition:
Winners of the “Category Distillery of the Year” Medals will be revealed alongside the main competition results. Each recipient will receive:
- A digital and physical medal for marketing and packaging.
- Promotion through press releases, social media, and the Bartender Spirits Awards and Bartenders Business websites.
The awards will also adapt to market trends, with additional categories like “Low & No Distillery of the Year” planned for 2025. This ensures recognition for distilleries meeting evolving consumer demands. With this initiative, the Bartender Spirits Awards continues its mission to recognize and celebrate excellence in the U.S. spirits industry, helping distilleries gain visibility and influence in the global market.
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International and domestic spirits brands are invited to register, to take advantage of the early bird pricing that is on right now. Here is how to enter.
