Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Year Two

The “greatest” moniker is a subjective one indeed and not one that I use lightly. In the humble but well qualified opinion of this writer (having judged at some of the world’s best known competitions) I simply find the methods, credibility, and integrity of the Ultimate Beverage Challenge to out pace its peers. It's the greastest Spirits Competition. In full disclosure, I am the Assistant Chairman of Judging for the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. You can now engage in your own chicken or the egg debate…

Some may think it glamorous work if work at all to wade through a diverse collection of 50 spirits. Those who have performed such a task will beg to differ. Some competitions have the judges review 100 or more samples in a day’s work. The UBC feels that this is turning difficult work into an impossible task.

For anyone who has attended a consumer tasting featuring five or six wines or spirits knows how challenging it is to keep both palate and mind fresh. In addition to the chore of maintaining palate freshness and focus the judges are keenly aware of their additional responsibility. The products they taste, sniff and score represent the hard work, dedication, and passion of the distiller and scores of others. A sobering duty if you can forgive the pun.

The Spirits earning top and high marks at the USC are truly deserving of the praise heaped upon them. This is not an “every kid gets a medal” type of competition. You could hardly make the argument that another of these is needed. The USC seeks to find and identify the best Spirits and based on the extraordinary quality of products entered the brand owners and representatives are well aware of this fact.

Below please find the listing of this year’s Chairman Trophy Winners as well as the Finalists in each respective category. For a full listing of the top scoring Spirits please visit, www.ultimate-beverage.com.

Vodka - World
Chairman’s Trophy-Unflavored: Finlandia Classic Vodka (Finland)
Chairman’s Trophy-Flavored: Ketel One Citroen Flavored Vodka (Netherlands)
Finalist: Bainbridge Legacy Vodka (USA)
Finalist: Boomerang Vodka (Australia)
Finalist: Brandon's Vodka (USA)
Finalist: Eristoff Vodka (Russia)

Gin - World
Chairman’s Trophy-Gin: Beefeater London Dry Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Bloom London Dry Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Citadelle Reserve Vintage 2010 Gin (France)
Finalist: Fifty Pounds London Dry Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: OXLEY Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Plymouth Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Tanqueray London Dry Gin (United Kingdom)
Finalist: Tanqueray No. Ten Gin (United Kingdom)

Tequila - Mexico
Chairman’s Trophy-Blanco: Olmeca Plata Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Chairman’s Trophy-Reposado: Cabo Wabo Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Chairman’s Trophy-Añejo: Calle 23 Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Chairman’s Trophy-Extra Añejo: Grand Mayan Extra Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Antiguo Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Espolon Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Herradura Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Izkali Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Tres Agaves Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Tres Agaves Resposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Tres Mujeres Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Finalist: Tres Mujeres Resposado, 100% Agave Tequila

Mezcal - Mexico
Chairman’s Trophy-Mezcal:  El Tinieblo Joven Mezcal
Finalist: Del Maguey Santo Domingo Albarradas Mezcal
Finalist: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
Finalist: Fidencio Classico Joven Mezcal

Rum - World
Chairman’s Trophy-Rum: Dos Maderas PX 5+5 Rum (Spain)
Finalist: Appleton Estate Reserve Rum (Jamaica)
Finalist: Chauffe Coeur Rhum Agricole (France)
Finalist: Cockspur Bajan-Crafted 12 Years Old Rum (Barbados)
Finalist: Denizen White Rum 2 Years Old Rum (Trinidad)
Finalist: Depaz Blue Cane Amber Rhum Agricole (Martinique)
Finalist: Holey Dollar Rum Rebellion Platinum Cask Strength Rum (Fiji)
Finalist: J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum (Jamaica)
Finalist: Mount Gay Extra Old Rum (Barbados)
Finalist: Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection Rum (Barbados)
Finalist: Plantation Vintage 2000 Jamaica Rum (France)

Whiskey – USA
Chairman’s Trophy-Bourbon: George T. Stagg 17 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Chairman’s Trophy-Rye: Sazerac Straight 18 Years Old Rye Whiskey
Finalist: Benjamin Prichards Double Barreled Bourbon 9 Years Old American Whiskey
Finalist: Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Finalist: Old Forester Birthday Vintage-Dated 12 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Finalist: Pappy Van Winkle #8 20 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Finalist:  Parker's Heritage Collection Wheated Bourbon 10 Years Old American Whiskey
Finalist:  Russell's Reserve 10 Years Old Bourbon
Finalist: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight 6 Years Old Rye Whiskey
Finalist: Whistlepig 10 Years Old Rye Whiskey
Finalist: Wild Turkey Tradition 15 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Whiskey - Ireland
Chairman’s Trophy-Blended: Michael Collins Blended Irish Whiskey
Chairman’s Trophy-Single Malt: Tyrconnell Madeira Finish 10 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Finalist: Jameson 18 Years Old Blended Irish Whiskey
Finalist: Jameson Gold Blended Irish Whiskey
Finalist: Kilbeggan 15 Years Old Blended Irish Whiskey
Finalist: Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey
Finalist: Redbreast 15 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey
Finalist: Slane Castle Blended Irish Whiskey
Finalist: The Wild Geese Soldiers & Heroes Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Whisky - Scotland
Chairman’s Trophy-Single Malt-Cask Strength: Aberlour a'bunadh Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Chairman’s Trophy-Single Malt-Speyside: The Balvenie Peated Cask 17 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Chairman’s Trophy-Single Malt-Islands: Highland Park 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Chairman’s Trophy-Single Malt-Islay: Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Chairman’s Trophy-Blended: Dewar's 18 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Aberlour 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Buchanan's 18 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Finalist: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Caol Ila Unpeated 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist:  Glenfiddich 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Glen Garioch 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: The Glenlivet 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Highland Park 25 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Oban 14 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finalist: Royal Salute Blended Scotch Whisky

Whisky - Canada
Chairman’s Trophy-Canadian: Canadian Mist Black Diamond Canadian Blended Whisky
Finalist: Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Blended Whisky

Brandy - World
Chairman’s Trophy-Aged: Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez 17 Years Old Spanish Brandy (Spain)
Chairman’s Trophy-Unaged: Rémy Martin V French Brandy (France)

Cognac - France
Chairman’s Trophy-Cognac: Martell XO Cognac
Finalist: Delamain Extra Grande Champagne Cognac
Finalist: Delamain Pale & Dry XO Grande Champagne Cognac
Finalist: Frapin Chateau Fontpinot XO Grande Champagne Cognac
Finalist: Grosperrin XO Fine Champagne Cognac
Finalist: Landy VSOP Cognac

Armagnac - France
Chairman’s Trophy-Armagnac: Delord 25 Years Old Bas-Armagnac
Finalist: Artez VSOP 100% Folle Blanche Bas-Armagnac
Finalist: Castarede Reserve de la Famille 20 Years Old Armagnac
Finalist: Chateau de Laubade 1985 Bas-Armagnac

Calvados - France
Chairman’s Trophy-Calvados: Boulard Grand Solage VSOP Pays d’Auge Calvados
Finalist: Lecompte 12 Years Old Pays d'Auge Calvados
Finalist: Lecompte Originel Pays d'Auge Calvados

Liqueurs – World
Chairman’s Trophy-Fruit:  Merlet Crème de Cassis, Blackcurrant Liqueur (France)
Chairman’s Trophy-Herbal:  Stroh Jagertee Liqueur (Austria)
Finalist: Bauchant Orange Liqueur (France)
Finalist: Cointreau Liqueur (France)
Finalist: Faretti Biscotti Famosi Liquore (Italy)
Finalist: Liquore Strega Benevento Liquore (Italy)
Finalist: Merlet Crème de Peche, Peach Liqueur (France)
Finalist: Varnelli Sibilla Amaro (Italy)

Aperitifs – World
Chairman’s Trophy-Aperitif: Lillet Rosé Aperitif (France)