This year’s spirits competition once again uncovers many of the world’s best-distilled spirits, while panel members enjoy the fitting ambiance of the Las Vegas fine dining district.
The Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards—a distinguished spirits competition where consumer palate is king and brands receive ratings based on merit rather than marketing—were held July 30th at SHe by Morton’s, a stylish, boutique steakhouse located on the Las Vegas Strip. The panel of 70 judges has tallied its votes, and winners have emerged from among 306 brands entrants. In its fifth year, the event attracted both established and up-and-coming brands from more than 20 countries.
The Spirits
SIP Awards’ panel members have no affiliation with marketers, wholesalers or spirit label distributors. Each spirit is presented undiluted and chilled, and scored based on aroma, taste, and finish in a blind tasting. Award levels include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Best of Class Platinum.
Among the spirits competing for titles were gins, liqueurs, rums, tequilas, vodkas and whiskeys, each divided into multiple sub-categories. The top-tier 2013 winners are crowned as follows:
Platinum – “Best of Class”
- New Amsterdam Gin
- Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka
- Pinnacle Whipped Vodka
- Tatoosh Bourbon
- Big House Bourbon Tupelo Honey
- Agave Underground Blanco Tequila
- Dos Lunas Tequila Reposado
- Tequila Don Julio 70 Anejo
- El Tesoro Paradiso Extra Anejo
- Hooks Black Rum
- Don Q Coco Rum
- Bacardi Reserva Limitada
- Aeroplano Spiced Rum
- D’USSE VSOP Cognac
- Kaffe Arabika
- Early Times Fire Eater
- Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur
- U’Luvka Vodka
- KAH Tequila Series
Distinguished Platinum Winners
- Old Grove Gin
- Dillon’s Gin 22
- RWB Ultra-Premium Handcrafted Vodka
- Stawski Classic Vodka
- Bong Vodka
- Premium Gera Vodka
- ADK Vodka
- Zims Fifty Nine
- Finlandia Tangerine Flavored Vodka
- Hanson of Sonoma Organic Coffee Vodka
- 360 Double Chocolate
- 360 Georgia Peach
- Prairie Organic Cucumber Vodka
- 4 Spirits Bourbon Whiskey
- Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Four Wood
- Breckenridge Bourbon
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
- Triple Crown
- WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey
- Collingwood
- Virgil Kaine Bourbon and Ginger
- Tequila 1519 Blanco 100% Agave
- Tequila 1519 “Organic” Blanco 100% Agave
- Cabresto Tequila Silver
- Suerte Tequila Blanco
- Tequila 1519 “Organic” Reposado 100% Agave
- Tequila Don Julio Reposado
- Casamigos Reposado
- Suerte Tequila Reposado
- Tequila 1519 Anejo 100% Agave
- Agave Underground Anejo Tequila
- El Tesoro Anejo
- Tequila Don Julio 1942
- Dos Armadillos Tequila Anejo
- Rincon Alteno
- Bear Hug Tequila Infusions Papaya
- Three Sheets White Rum
- Florida Old Reserve Rum
- The Real McCoy 5 Year Aged Rum
- Ron Virgin Bold Coconut Rum
- Don Q Gran Anejo Rum
- Hooks Spiced Rum
- Calvados Berneroy VSOP
- E & J VSOP Brandy
- Tequila Rose
- LICOR 43
- Trueglamour Lemon Drop Martini
- Ballast Point Bloody Mary Mix
- D’USSE VSOP Cognac
- Slovenia Vodka
- Hillrock Estate Distillery Solera Aged Bourbon
- Bear Hug Bottle Design
- Kealy’s Moonshine
- Agave Underground Tequila Series
View the Complete List of the 2013 Winners
The Prestige
The SIP Awards have become an increasingly popular and important international spirits competition. In addition to boosting brand recognition, winners enjoy the power of consumer choice credibility. “Consumers are the ultimate decision makers, and their honest opinions are something you just can’t buy,” says SIP Awards executive producer Paul Hashemi. “When you enter this competition, your spirit will be judged by a panel of consumers, not by industry insiders.”
Although hundreds of brands enter the competition, only brands with the highest scores receive honors. Over 21% of the brands entered did not qualify for any type of accolade. Rising above several hundred entrants, the winners in each category have proven themselves superior to the competition, worthy of high honors from an honest and impartial consumer base.
Brands enjoy extended coverage and gain additional exposure to new demographics due in part to SIP Awards ever changing venues. This year’s event basked in the ambiance and glamour of the Las Vegas fine dining district, mere steps from the main entrance of ARIA at The Shops at Crystals. Previous year’s events have been held in the affluent economic hub of Irvine, Calif., and the well-guarded luxury high rises of San Diego. As for 2014, Hashemi states, “We are always looking for new and exciting venues.”
About SIP Awards: Catering to the opinions and palates of the consuming public, the Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards present a unique, spirit-judging competition, unaffected by industry bias. To learn more about the SIP Awards spirits competition, venue sponsorship, 2014 entry registration, or for a complete list of 2013 winners, visit www.SIPAwards.com.
