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USA. – Highland Park’s 25 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has become the first drink to score full marks in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Now in its fourth year, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge (organised by Ultimate Beverage Challenge) had a record number of entries, up +8% from last year, from more than 70 companies and 30 countries around the world.
Held at the Astor Center in New York City on March 11-15, judging was led by UBC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult and Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, along with distilled spirits authorities, award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants.
Highland Park’s maximum 100-point score was the standout result, while there were also another 33 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winners.
UBC founder F. Paul Pacult said: “The increase in entries we’ve had for Ultimate Spirits Challenge each year is a testament to suppliers who appreciate our meticulous attention to rating and scoring their products.
“They understand that Ultimate Spirits Challenge also provides them with an array of useful tools to help them build and market their brands, from credible scores to insightful tasting notes to useful point-of-sale materials to our summary guide in Beverage Media.”
The organization said this year’s entries likewise included more craft spirits than ever before, adding it witnessed an “extraordinarily high standard of spirits across all categories”.
The 2013 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy Winners:
VODKA – UNFLAVORED
Tahoe Blue
VODKA – FLAVORED
HOPHEAD Pot Stilled Hop Flavored
GIN
Fords Gin
AQUAVIT
Linie Aquavit
TEQUILA – 100% AGAVE
BLANCO: Milagro Silver
REPOSADO: Siete Leguas Reposado
AÑEJO: IZKALI Añejo
EXTRA AÑEJO: Casa Sauza XA Edición Limitada Extra Añejo
MEZCAL
Del Maguey Minero
RUM
Brugal Papa Andres
RHUM AGRICOLE
Rhum Clement Grande Reserve 6 Years Old
WHISK(E)Y – NORTH AMERICA
AMERICAN WHISKEY: Balcones 1 Texas Single Malt
BOURBON: Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
RYE: Knob Creek Rye
TENNESSEE WHISKEY: George Dickel No. 12
WHISKEY – IRELAND
BLENDED: Jameson 18 Years Old
IRISH POT STILL WHISKEY: Redbreast 15 Years Old
SINGLE MALT: Tullamore Dew 10 Years Old
WHISKY – SCOTLAND
BLENDED MALT: Haig Supreme 1627 12 Years Old
BLENDED: Royal Salute 21 Years Old
SINGLE MALT: Highland Park 25 Years Old (100 points)
WHISKY – CANADA
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
BRANDY
ARMAGNAC: Delord 30 Years Old 1981 Bas-Armagnac France
CALVADOS: Boulard XO Calvados France
COGNAC: Hardy XO Cognac France
GRAPPA: Bocchino Riserva Carlo Bocchino Grappa Italy
PISCO: Barsol Supremo Mosto Verde Pisco Peru
FRENCH BRANDY: St-Rémy Réserve Privée
SPANISH BRANDY: Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez
AMERICAN BRANDY: E & J XO
SHOCHU
Iichiko Frasco Barley
LIQUEUR
La Muse Verte Absinthe
APERITIF
Lillet Jean de Lillet 2009
For a complete list of results, including scores and notes, go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2013results
