List of leading Spirits Competitions in Europe
International Wine & Spirit Competition
When the original Club Oenologique was launched in 1969, its founder, the wine chemist Anton Massel, could scarcely have imagined the impact that his initiative would have on today's wine and spirit industry, nor the far-reaching commercial implications for those who find themselves rewarded for their excellence. He had the idea of creating a competition which was based not just on organoleptic judgement, but where all entries also had to undergo chemical analysis.
In 1978 the name of the venture was changed to the International Wine and Spirit Competition and, within a short space of time, the disciplines of the Competition were redefined. A set of technical controls was implemented in order to ensure that the highest quality standards were achieved and maintained year after year. The original aim of the IWSC was to award excellence to wines and spirits worldwide. This remains the aim today, encouraging consumer and trade recognition for quality products. More Information: International Wine & Spirit Competition
International Spirits Challenge
The International Spirits Challenge is the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competition in the world. The ISC has evolved over recent years to recognise four key areas of the industry; Tasting, Design & Packaging, Marketing and Retailer Awards.
Now in its 18th year, the ISC is the premier event in promoting outstanding quality spirits from across the globe.
The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high calibre of spirits, designs and campaigns entered into the competition each year. Receiving more than 1,000 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide makes the ISC a truly global competition. It is supported by most of the world’s leading spirits producers as the international standard for quality and excellence.
Winning an ISC award is indeed an impressive achievement for any spirit that passes the scrupulous blind assessment of our experienced panel of specialist judges. More Information: International Spirit Challenges
Catavinum World Wine and Spirits Competition
Catavinum World Wine and Spirits Competition 2014 (CWWSC) is organized and developed by Catavinum in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain).
The objectives of this competition are the following:
• Inform consumers and international wine and spirits professionals on the quality of the winning brands, helping the diffusion and communication of them.
• Provide messages to 80% of consumers who expect international references on quality wines and spirits.
• Promote the production of quality wines and spirits.
• Contribute to the diffusion of the culture of wine and spirits.
More information: Catavinum World Wine and Spirits Competition 2014
ISW International Spirits Award
Spirits have been distilled and drunk for centuries now and the occasions to do so are manifold. The choice of spirits is huge, ranging from clear schnapps through to fruit brandies and liqueurs. In many countries, spirits are an established part of a cultured lifestyle and have their place in retailers' ranges. It was against this background that the ISW International Spirits Award was launched in 2004, with the aim of strengthening the position of spirits and giving them new momentum.
The International Spirits Award is the name of a respected and well-organised event. With the help of the special ISW publication in which all winners of gold and silver medals are listed, consumers are provided with valuable orientation support. More Information: ISW International Spirits Award
World-Spirits Award
The mission: To establish, as the world's best competition with a distillery classification, an assessment standard that sets the ultimate benchmark in the world of spirits. The objective: As a respected reflection of quality for producers and consumers, to fairly judge spirits from all over the world, taking into account their origin and tradition. The system: To compile reproducible results and precise verbal descriptions using the transparent, accurate 100-point WOB evaluation system.
The jury: Perfection as the driving force for ongoing further training in the members' own interests, with regular taster training sessions as the basis for product and quality definitions. The academy: Master of World Spirits training with checks of the individual's sensory performance enhances the scope of their knowledge and is the basic criterion for selection to the jury.
The person: Former world-class sportsman Wolfram Ortner lives and breathes the World-Spirits Award and knows the factors for success - performance, quality, transparency, fairness and self-assessment. The vision: Simply the best in spirits - the World-Spirits Award is incomparable and always ahead of its time! More Information: World-Spirits Award
Berlin International Spirits Competition
The New York International Beverage Competition will be expanding with its trade only buyers judging by price internationally in 2014 with the Berlin International Spirits Competition in March 2nd 2014.