Ultimate Beverage Challenge

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Ultimate Beverage Challenge
IndustryBeverage
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
FoundersF. Paul Pacult
David Talbot
Sue Woodley
Headquarters
New York
,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsUltimate Spirits Challenge
Websitewww.ultimate-beverage.com

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.

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[edit]

Ultimate 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[edit]

  • Ultimate Spirits Challenge[8]
  • Ultimate Wine Challenge (no longer awarded)[9]

Products judged[edit]

All 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[edit]

Chairman's Trophy[edit]

  • Slovenia Vodka (2013)[11]
  • Blended Irish Whiskey (2014)[12]
  • Remus Repeal Reserve (2018)[13]
  • Ardbeg Uigedail Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Cointreau l'Unique
  • Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
  • Gordon’s Travelers' Edition London Dry Gin

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[edit]

The 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[edit]

  • Chairman's Trophy Award[6][15]
  • Finalist
  • Great Value
  • Top 100 Spirits

Notable judges[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lamb, Caitlin (March 29, 2022). "Kentucky Bourbons". Mashed. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Japhe, Brad. "The World's Best Vodka". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "DIFFERENT GIN STYLES, NEW COCKTAILS QUENCH THE MODERN THIRST". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  6. ^ a b "Laura Ness: Contest judging can be capricious". The Salinas Californian. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  7. ^ "Vintage performance". Financial Times. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Ultimate Spirits Challenge". Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  11. ^ "Faces behind the labels". The Poughkeepsie Journal. ProQuest 2077820989. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  12. ^ "Make your Irish eyes smile with these drinks". OC Register. 12 March 2014. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  13. ^ "'MasterChef' to make Chicago casting call". Daily Herald. ProQuest 2097623677. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  14. ^ "Seasonal Wine Pairings". Chatelaine. ProQuest 2543498999. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "Liquor & Cocktail Judges". Archived from the original on 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  17. ^ "Judges". Archived from the original on 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
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