The Spirit World

Each year, and with fairly little fanfare, there is a fairly exhaustive spirits judging that takes place in San Francisco. Anthony Dias Blue is the founder of the competition, which saw its eighth year in operation when it held its 2008 judging in mid March.

There were 847 products submitted, across 439 different brand classifications. Judging was done by a 25 different judges, who come from various parts of the industry and are well recognized as influentials in their fields. The products were submitted by the manufacturers, who also paid a fee (per product) to participate. Judging was done blind, and over the course of two days at this closed event.

Awards were given out for Double-Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, as well as some special awards when the product s merited it. This is not an “Olympics” style award with only a single winner per medal, instead there can be multiple winners per award level. There can also be no winners for a particular award level if the judges didn’t feel any products were worthy of it. Out of the total 847 products submitted, there were 731 awards according to my count.

You can access the full list of award winners, along with more details and information about the competition here: http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/

But here are some highlights:

Vodka:
Top Vodka = Snow Queen
Double Gold = Cold River, Primo, Puriste, Rain

Gin:
Top Gin = Plymouth
Double Gold = Beefeater, Martin Miller’s, Rehorst Premium, Rogue Spruce

Rum (Dark/Gold)
Double Gold = St. Lucia Chairman’s Reserve, Sergeant Classick Gold Hawaiian Rum

Cachaça:
Best Of Show – White = Weber Haus Silver Cachaça
Double Gold = Cuca Fresca, Bossa

Tequila (unaged)
Top Tequila = AsomBroso Silver
Double Gold = Blue Head, El Tesoro Platinum, Gran Centenario Plata, Milagro Premium Silver

Tequila (Reposado)
Top Reposado = El Tesoro
Double Gold = Amanecer Ranchero, Herencia De Plata, Semental, Tequila 5150

Tequila (Anejo)
Top Anejo = Siete Leguas
Double Gold = Blue Head, Don Tepo, La Certeza

Whiskey (Straight Bourbon)
Double Gold = Wild Turkey 101

Whiskey (Straight Rye)
Top Rye = Rittenhouse Single Barrel
Double Gold = High West, Thomas H. Handy

Absinthe
Top Absinthe = Vieux Pontarlier

Herbal/Botanical Liqueur
Best Of Show – Liqueur = Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur
Double Gold = Averna Sambuca, Chartreuse Green VEP, Cynar, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Fruit Liqueur
Top Fruit Liqueur = Cointreau
Double Gold = Grand Marnier

You can access their full listing here: http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/2008_results.html