The next edition of the Bartender Spirits Awards goes beyond medals with two new structured judge feedback sections for every spirit entered, alongside greater judging transparency. Producers will gain a clearer understanding of not only how their products scored, but also how they can perform more successfully behind the bar and in the on-premise market.

Image: Sample Report Only 

The information, scores, feedback, judges, and product details shown below are for illustration purposes only and have been created as sample data. They do not represent an actual Bartender Spirits Awards entry, judging outcome, or evaluation.

New For 2027: More Bartender-Led Feedback

At the next Bartender Spirits Awards, judges will complete two dedicated feedback sections for every spirit entered, giving brands practical insights beyond medals and scores.

Every entrant will continue to receive a detailed breakdown of their scores for Quality, Value, and Packaging, along with two new forms of constructive feedback designed specifically to help brands improve and grow in the on-premise channel.

How To Improve This Spirit

Judges will provide concise, constructive recommendations to help producers strengthen their products. Feedback may include observations on aroma, flavour profile, balance, finish, versatility, cocktail suitability, packaging, shelf and back-bar appeal, pricing perception, or overall market readiness.

The objective is simple: provide practical, professional feedback that producers can use to refine their spirits and better meet the expectations of today's bartenders and hospitality professionals.

How To Market & Sell This Spirit

Judges will also provide commercially focused feedback from the perspective of bartenders, bar managers, beverage directors, and hospitality buyers.

This may include recommendations on ideal bar positioning, cocktail applications, pricing suitability, premiumization opportunities, target venues, consumer appeal, distributor potential, and how the spirit may perform across different styles of bars, restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues.

This additional insight helps producers understand not only how good their spirit is, but where it is most likely to succeed in the market.

Image: Russell ‘Wishka’ Davis, Celeb Mixologist & Former Producer of Netflix - DrinkMasters (left), and Lyndsi Hastings Mundy - National Corporate Beverage Director at Riot Hospitality Group (right)

Greater Judge Transparency

The Bartender Spirits Awards also introduces greater judging transparency.

As part of our commitment to trust and credibility, entrants will be able to see the names of the judges who evaluated their spirits, helping producers better understand the experience, expertise, and hospitality perspective behind their results.

Judges include leading bartenders, bar managers, beverage directors, spirits buyers, and hospitality professionals who work with spirits every day and understand what succeeds behind the bar.

More Than A Medal

The Bartender Spirits Awards offers spirits producers far more than recognition.

Every spirit is evaluated by professionals who influence what gets poured, recommended, and reordered across bars, restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues.

Beyond medals and scores, entrants now receive detailed bartender-led feedback, greater judging transparency, and valuable commercial insights that can help improve product development, marketing strategy, and route-to-market decisions.

Whether you produce whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, mezcal, liqueurs, or emerging craft spirits, the Bartender Spirits Awards provides an opportunity to benchmark your products through the eyes of the people who serve spirits every day.

Enter The Next Bartender Spirits Awards

Entries are now open for the next edition of the Bartender Spirits Awards.

Spirits producers, distilleries, importers, exporters, and brand owners from around the world are invited to enter and take advantage of Super Early entry pricing while gaining access to one of the industry's most bartender-focused evaluation processes.

More than an award, the Bartender Spirits Awards delivers the feedback, transparency, and commercial insight needed to help spirits succeed behind the bar.

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