|
Last week, the American Spirits Council of Tasters, founded by renowned spirits critic Fred Minnick, announced winners for the 2023 ASCOT Awards for the Double Platinum, Platinum, Gold and Honorable Mention categories. Today (5.17), the tasters reveal Best in Category winners.
The ASCOTs received more than 1,100 entries and judges scored each product uniquely. Their scores are tallied with the highest moving on to the next round, where Category Winners are chosen. Category Champions go onto compete for Best in Show.
However, a handful of categories have yet to be decided. For example, six standout brands dominated the Best Straight Bourbon category including Larceny Barrel Proof A123, Still Austin Whiskey Co. Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, W.L. Weller Full Proof, Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon Series VI, 1792 Full Proof and E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof. They will be tasted in the finals to determine Best Straight Bourbon, which will go on to compete for Best Bourbon.
On Thursday, June 1st, the 2023 ASCOT Awards Best in Category winners will compete in a blind taste-off, produced by NBTV Studios and airing exclusively on the Spirits Network. Spirits fans can sign up for free at spiritsnetwork.com. The professional judges for the ASCOT finals include Denaya J. Reid, owner of Deestilled; Mark Hefter, Managing Director of The MINT; Susan Reigler, Whiskey Writer and Past President of the Bourbon Women Association; Tiffanie Barriere, The Drinking Coach; Francesco Lafranconi, Founder of The Academy of Spirits & Fine Service; Max Solano, founder of Bar Chef Productions; Jack Beguedou (Hood Sommelier), Spirit Consultant; Brad Williams, Senior Category Manager of spirits for Liquor Barn/Bevmo; Lew Bryson, author of Whiskey Master Class; Greg Wilson, RNDC; Clay Risen, whiskey author and editor of The New York Times; and Fred Minnick, founder of the ASCOTs.
The Spirits Network ASCOT Awards show begins with tasters determining Best Bourbon, Best Scotch, Best Irish Whiskey and Best Rye Whiskey. Once these category winners are crowned, they compete against the previously determined category winners of Best World Whiskey, Best Wheat Whiskey, Best Blend of Straight American Whiskey and Best Special Barrel Finish Whiskey for the ultimate award: Best in Show Whiskey.
See a full list of the 2023 ASCOT Awards’ Best in Category winners, here:
BEST IN CATEGORY: WHITE SPIRITS
Best Vodka
Nykur Super Premium Organic Vodka
Best Flavored Vodka
James Lake Crisp Cucumber – Cucumber Flavored Vodka
Best Gin
Farmer’s Organic Gin
Best Aged Gin
Rabbit Hole Bespoke Gin
Best Unaged Rum
Black Frost Distilling Rum
Best Aged Rum
Note: A taste off between these three will decide the winner.
Rolling Fork Spirits 9-Year Single Cask
Richland Rum XO — Richland Single
Barbados Rum
Estate Old South Georgia Rum
Best Flavored Rum (Spiced)
Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold
Best Unaged Tequila
Tanteo Blanco Tequila
Best Reposado Tequila
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Reposado
Best Anejo Tequila
Jose Cuervo Tradicional Anejo
Best Extra Anejo Tequila
1800 Milenio
Best Flavored Tequila
Fiero Habanero Tequila
Best Mezcal
Montelobos Ensamble
Best Sotol
Nocheluna Sotol
Best Cognac VSOP or Equivalent
Pierre Ferrand 10 Generations Port Cask
Best Cognac XO or Equivalent
Pierre Ferrand Selection des Anges Cognac
Best Apple Brandy
Black Dirt Apple Jack
Best Grape Brandy
Ricou Spirits Brandy Sainte Louise
Best Ouzo
Ouzo 12
Best Guaro
Bacan Guaro
Best Liqueur | Herbal/Botanical
Averna
Best Liqueur | Other: Chile/Pepper
Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
Best Liqueur | Coffee
Cafe Granita Coffee Liqueur
Best Liqueur | Cream/Dairy
Largo Bay Coquito Cream
Best Liqueurs | Aperitif
Casa Cinzano Cinzano Vermouth Bianco
Best Liqueur | Fruit
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
Best Liqueur | Nut
Frangelico
Best Ready-to-Drink Seltzer
Kraken & Cola
Best Ready-to-Drink Cocktail
Via Carota Craft Cocktails Espresso Martini
Best Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Non Alcoholic*
Better Than Booze Rosemary Infused Grapefruit Paloma
Best Mixers Non-Alcoholic
Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda
BEST STRAIGHT BOURBON:
Note: A taste off between these six will decide the winner.
Larceny Barrel Proof A123
Still Austin Whiskey Co. Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon Series VI
1792 Full Proof
E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof
BEST IN CATEGORY: WHISKEY
Best Single Barrel Bourbon | Up to 10 Years
Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Single Barrel 23 Rain Fall Down
Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon
Parker’s Heritage Collection 16th Edition Double Barreled Blend
Best Special Barrel-Finished Rye
Milam & Greene Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Casks Private Select
Best American Whiskey
J. Rieger & Co. Kansas City Whiskey
Best American Rye Whiskey
Old Ezra 7 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
Best American Rye Whiskey: Single Barrel
O.H. Ingram River Aged Single Barrel Rye *not qualified for taste-off
Best Small Batch Bourbon | Up to 5 Years
K.LUKE Whiskey Company Small Batch Barrel Strength Bourbon
Best Small Batch Bourbon | 6 to 10 Years
Dixon Dedman 2XO: The Phoenix Blend
Best Small Batch Rye
Proof and Wood Tumblin Dice Rye Curated Small Batch
Best Wheated Bourbon
Larceny Barrel Proof A123
Best Craft Bourbon
Chattanooga Whiskey Cask 111
Best Craft Rye
Distillery 291 All Rye 100% Rye Malt Colorado Whiskey
Finished with Aspen Wood Staves
Best Canadian Whisky
Black Velvet
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Daddy Rack Tennessee Straight Whiskey
Best World Whisky
Stauning Rye Whisky
Best Craft Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey “91”
Best Special Barrel-Finished Whiskey
Four Gate Whiskey Company Batch 19 – The Kelvin Collaboration IIII
Best Blend of Straight Bourbon
Penelope Private Select Batch 22-302
Best Blend of Straight Rye
Barrell Craft Spirits Stellum Rye Fibonacci Blend #1
Best Whiskey Club Barrel Pick
Note: A taste off between these two will decide the winner.
Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel: Dallas Bourbon Club
Naptown Bourbon Club: Elijah Craig
Best Blended Malt
Duncan Taylor The Big Smoke – Heavily Peated
Best Blended Irish Whiskey
McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whisky
Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Quiet Man 8 Year Old Single Malt
Best Blend of Straight Whiskies
Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash
Best Blended Scotch
Coachbuilt Scotch Whisky
Best American Single Malt
Bird Creek Distillery Cask Strength – Baronesse
Best Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement
Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch – The Original
Best Single Malt Scotch - Up to 12 Years
Lagavulin 8 Year Old
Best Single Malt Scotch – 13-19 Years
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Best Single Malt Scotch – 20+ Years
Mortlach 20 Year Old
Best Wheat Whiskey
Journeyman Distillery Corsets Whips and Whiskey
Best Corn Whiskey
MB Roland Distillery, Inc
Best Flavored Whiskey
Wild Turkey American Honey
Best Moonshine | Flavored
Ole Smoky Banana Pudding Cream Moonshine
ABOUT FRED MINNICK:
Minnick is a spirits authority, entrepreneur, best-selling author, podcast host and more. In 2021, he co-founded the American Spirits Council of Tasters and launched the first-ever ASCOT Awards, honoring the top spirits across the globe. With his podcast The Fred Minnick Show, a Hermes Creative Award winner and Webby Honoree, Minnick bridges the gap between bourbon culture and the entertainment industry. His episodes have included tastings and interviews with athletes, musicians, celebrities and bourbon executives. Previous guests have included Peyton Manning, Ludacris, Ian Somerhalder, Ashley McBryde, Lindsey Ell, Terry Bradshaw and more. He has authored several best-selling books, including Bourbon Curious; Bourbon; Rum Curious; and Whiskey Women. He’s appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Top Chef, Moonshiners, CBS This Morning and more.
ABOUT THE ASCOT AWARDS:
ASCOT Awards is an international spirits competition created by spirits personality and veteran tasting judge, Fred Minnick. The competition provides a unique opportunity for distillers to have their products recognized through Fred’s YouTube channel, social media, news articles, newsletters, and festivals.
ABOUT SPIRITS NETWORK:
Spirits Network is a shoppable entertainment network featuring renowned experts & celebrities sharing tasting notes, cocktail recipes & stories from the world of spirits. Through the platform, members can engage with and purchase from the top players defining the spirits business, as well as access exclusive products, gifts, and experiences.
There are more than 100 programs produced exclusively through the Spirits Network including: “Spirits for Beginners”- practical and enjoyable spirits education from Flavien Desoblin; “Meet the Masters” –an in-depth, guided tour of how your favorite spirit is made through the eyes of its makers; “Cocktail History” –sharing the history behind the world's most iconic and inventive cocktails; “Barrel Select” – Hosted by Samara Davis, Founder of Black Bourbon Society (BBS), the show documents the creation of Samara's second Maker's Mark custom barrel; “Wine Uncorked” – an irreverent approach to wine education hosted by Comedian / Sommelier, Patrick Ney, and produced by and featuring Actor/Comedian/2021 EMMY Award Host, Cedric The Entertainer. Our series have featured guests including Jason Biggs, Michael Shannon, Sarah Paulson, Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms, Evan Peters, William H. Macy and many more.
Viewers can stream their favorite Spirits Network shows at any time, from any location, at home or on-the-go. Compatible devices include Apple TV, Apple iOS, and Android, as well as Smart TVs. Spirits Network now has its own FAST channel, available on all Vizio smart TVs on channel 505.
Spirits Network LLC is a channel produced by NBTV Channels. NBTV Channels builds unique content for brands and direct-to-consumer businesses, transforming marketing from a cost to a revenue center by offering in-platform 'click to buy' opportunities.
###
For more information on Fred Minnick, please contact:
Rebecca Shapiro | Shore Fire Media | rshapiro@shorefire.com
Jaclyn D. Carter | Shore Fire Media | jcarter@shorefire.com
Olivia Del Valle | Shore Fire Media | odelvalle@shorefire.com
For more information on Spirits Network, please contact:
Alaina Bendi | NBTV/Spirits Network PR | alaina@nbtvinc.com
|
