Ultimate Beverage Challenge, established in 2009, conducts an annual spirit competition, Ultimate Spirits Challenge.[1][2] The entries for this competition are submitted on a global basis.
| Industry | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | F. Paul Pacult David Talbot Sue Woodley |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Ultimate Spirits Challenge |
| Website | www |
Ultimate Spirits Challenge, first launched in 2010, is held on annual basis. The awards and recognition given in the competition include Chairman's Trophy, Finalist, and Great Value Award. Ultimate Spirits Challenge also publishes its annual Top 100 list from each year's judging.
History
editUltimate Beverage Challenge was founded in 2009 by F. Paul Pacult, David Talbot, and Sue Woodley.[3] It was first held in 2010, and it has been held on an annual basis since then.[4] It is based in New York, United States.[5][6]
In 2012, Financial Times called Ultimate Wine Challenge a "highly selective" challenge.[7]
In 2021, the competition received entries from 52 countries.[4]
Competitions
editProducts judged
editAll categories of spirits, plus aperitifs; vermouths; fortified wines such as port and sherry; Ready-to-Drink and pre-mixed cocktails; non-alcoholic mixers; non-alcoholic drinks; hard seltzers, sample bottles not yet in their finished packaging or with final label and products that do not have a US importer or distributor.[10]
Recipients
editChairman's Trophy
edit- Slovenia Vodka (2013)[11]
- Remus Repeal Reserve (2018, Bourbon)[12]
- The Glenrothes 25 Year Old (2018, Speyside Single Malt)[13]
Great Value Award
edit- Mezzacorona[14]
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Jameson Black Barrel Irish Blended Whiskey
- Appleton Estate Signature Rum
- Fords London Dry Gin
Judging process
editThe judging process is based upon blind tasting in small flights, with entries evaluated by multiple panels over an extended period of time.[2] Judges are expert tasters who are highly regarded in their field.[4] All judging takes place in Ultimate Beverage Challenge's own tasting facility, specifically designed to optimize the evaluation process. All products are scored on the 100-point scale. Detailed tasting notes are provided for all products scoring 85 points and higher.[2]
Awards
editNotable judges
editReferences
edit- ^ Lamb, Caitlin (March 29, 2022). "Kentucky Bourbons". Mashed. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Japhe, Brad. "The World's Best Vodka". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "No One Is More Surprised by F. Paul Pacult's Career Path Than the Man Himself". Imbibe. May 18, 2020. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Best Scotch of 2021, According to the Ultimate Spirits Challenge". Inside Hook. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "DIFFERENT GIN STYLES, NEW COCKTAILS QUENCH THE MODERN THIRST". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ a b "Laura Ness: Contest judging can be capricious". The Salinas Californian. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "Vintage performance". Financial Times. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Libationary Tales: Worth's Guide to the Whiskeys and Bourbons". Worth. March 31, 2022. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Tilkens, Jordan. "Is sparkling wine Wisconsin's next big thing? Winemakers remain hopeful". The Post-Crescent. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "Ultimate Spirits Challenge". Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
- ^ "Faces behind the labels". The Poughkeepsie Journal. ProQuest 2077820989. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "'MasterChef' to make Chicago casting call". Daily Herald. ProQuest 2097623677. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "Scotch/Single Malt/Speyside competition scores - The Glenrothes". www.ultimate-beverage.com. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
- ^ "Seasonal Wine Pairings". Chatelaine. ProQuest 2543498999. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
- ^ "Meet the Founder and CEO of This Award-Winning Whiskey Brand". Ebony. April 9, 2022. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ "Liquor & Cocktail Judges". Archived from the original on 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Judges". Archived from the original on 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-11-14.