A Look into the 7th Edition: The London Spirits Competition has become a pivotal event in the spirits industry, a platform where excellence is celebrated, and the most promising brands are acknowledged. As we gear up for the 7th edition in March 2024, we take a moment to reflect on what makes this competition so exceptional and gather insights from the judges themselves.

The London Spirits Competition is not your average spirits competition. It goes beyond evaluating the liquid inside the bottle; it looks at the overall package, from quality and value for money to packaging and market appeal. Let's delve into what makes this competition unique, according to the judges:

A Platform for Quality and Excellence

Ali Ali, one of the judges, praises the competition for being "well organized and speedy" and highlights the "attention to detail" and "great selection of judges." He also notes the delightful surprise of tasting bottled cocktails, a testament to the competition's diversity.

Global Spirits Exploration

Michele Lombardi, another judge, commends the fantastic atmosphere and the participation of the staff and organizers. Michele was pleasantly surprised by spirits from Argentina and South Africa, emphasizing the global reach of the competition.

A Journey of Discovery

Mouad Mochament finds the London Spirits Competition to be a platform for exploration, where judges can savor a wide variety of spirits and engage in spirited conversations with fellow judges. He was particularly impressed by Australia and New Zealand's prolific spirit production.

Networking and Innovation

Gabor Molnar highlights the competition's role in trying new products and sharing experiences with industry friends. He was delighted by contemporary gins and tantalizing tequilas.

Warm Welcome and Professionalism

Aurelie Montana expresses her love for the competition, emphasizing the warm welcome and professionalism of the team. She mentions that the organization is always spot on and the location is amazing. She was pleasantly surprised by-products like Uriko Japanese Rice Vodka and an exceptional gin.

Networking and Palate Refinement

Matteo Torresin values the London Spirits Competition for providing an opportunity to network with industry peers, explore new products, and refine his palate. He mentions the abundance of Croatian spirits and liqueurs and the emergence of non-alcoholic spirits. He says it was, “Impressive to see such a huge amount of non-alcoholic spirits emerging in the business.”

Unique Experience and Global Improvements

Giovanni Turano views participating in the competition as a unique experience, offering a chance to discover amazing products and meet industry professionals. He notes the improvements in Asian spirits and applauds the competition's organization.

Blind Tasting Challenges

Agostino Perrone highlights the professional and organized setup of the competition. He reflects on how blind tasting challenges the senses and expectations, emphasizing the importance of dedicating time to taste a product. Agostino was pleasantly surprised by Moldavian brandy.

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Exploring New Horizons

Diana Aladzic relished the opportunity to judge spirits alongside industry experts and discovered intriguing spirits and emerging categories. She particularly appreciated contemporary styles of gin from around the world.

Efficiency and Professionalism

Tom Byrne values the efficiency, ease, and professionalism of the competition. He appreciated that the organizers were friendly but the competing atmosphere was efficient. He found vodka to be a tough category but was surprised by the quality in the liqueur/flavored vodka category. Tom also noted interesting pricing trends in Australia and New Zealand.

Exploring New Spirits

Francesco Colucci enjoyed the organization and the challenge of tasting a diverse range of spirits. He discovered some excellent tequilas and even found some grappas that he appreciated, despite not being a big fan.

Variety and Diverse Countries

Oliver Eardley appreciates the variety of categories and events at the competition. 

Great Organization and Diversity

Davide Leanza commends the great organization and the wide variety of products available for judging. He found the experience to be an excellent exercise in developing and improving his palate, with Ireland, Australia, and Italy standing out.

Networking and Honesty

Vitor Lourenço values the opportunity to meet industry colleagues and provide honest feedback on spirits. He finds it inspiring to interact with some of the most influential personalities in the industry and mentions pleasant surprises from Portugal. “Fantastic experience!” he says. 

Great Organization and New World Whiskies

Tiago Mira applauds the competition's organization and straightforward process. He observed a rising popularity of new world whiskies, particularly from Australia.

Venue and Structure

Christian Maspes appreciates the venue, welcome, structure, and organization of the competition.

A Different Experience

Nelson Reis, a three-time participant, enjoyed the experience of having people join him and the convenience of having flights served. He noted that gins seemed to be more balanced compared to other categories.

A Truly Enjoyable Experience

Nikolett Maczo summed up her experience as "a very nice experience overall." She commended the organizers and expressed her gratitude for the invitation.

The 7th Edition: What to Expect

As we look forward to the 7th edition of the London Spirits Competition in March 2024, it's evident that this event has become a hallmark of the spirits industry. With judges praising its organization, diversity of spirits, and opportunities for networking and discovery, it continues to be a platform where excellence is celebrated, and the spirits industry evolves.

Recognizing Quality, Value, and Innovation

The London Spirits Competition judges spirits based on three key criteria: quality, value for money, and packaging. It's not just about what's inside the bottle; it's about how well it resonates with consumers, how fairly it's priced, and how enticing it looks on the shelf.

A Global Stage for Spirits

The competition doesn't just recognize outstanding spirits; it celebrates the entire spirits supply chain, from distillers and producers to importers, wholesalers, and brand development teams. It's a holistic approach to appreciating the art and business of spirits.

Consumer Awareness and Recognition

Winners in the London Spirits Competition don't just receive awards; they benefit from a robust consumer awareness campaign. This ensures that the most promising spirits are not only acknowledged but also celebrated and sought after by consumers worldwide.

A Beverages Trade Network Initiative

The London Spirits Competition is an initiative of the Beverage Trade Network, a global organization dedicated to connecting drinks producers and brand owners with buyers. It's a testament to their commitment to bringing quality spirits to the forefront of the industry.

As we anticipate the 7th edition of the London Spirits Competition, we can't help but be excited about the innovations, excellence, and surprises that await us. Whether you're a spirits enthusiast, a professional in the industry, or simply someone who appreciates a well-crafted spirit, keep your eye out for 2024’s winners as they promise to deliver exceptional experiences and discoveries in the world of spirits.

Stay tuned for updates, and enroll your spirits today for judging on March 20 & 21, 2024, at St. Mary's in London, as the spirits world comes together to celebrate the best in the business at the London Spirits Competition. Cheers to another year of excellence!