ultimate beverage challenge
2012
guide to the world’s BEST SPIRITS, COCKTAILS &WINE
3
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2012
Aperitif
Award
Score Product Name
Accolade
PRICE
GV
Chairman's Trophy
96
Lise Baccara Troussepinete Red Aperitif France, 17% abv
Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation
$20.00
Finalist
95
Lise Baccara Troussepinete White Aperitif France, 17% abv
Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation
$20.00
Finalist
90
Aperol Aperitif Italy, 11% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$22.00
Vodka
Unflavored Vodka
Award
Score Product Name
Accolade
PRICE
GV
Chairman's Trophy
94
Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$25.99
Finalist
93
Luksusowa Vodka Poland, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$14.99
Finalist
93
UV 80 Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$12.99
Finalist
92
Ocean Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$32.99
Finalist
92
Vektor Vodka Russia, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$34.99
Finalist
92
Zodiac Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$26.99
Finalist
91
Breckenridge Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$27.00
Finalist
91
Finlandia Vodka Finland, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$17.99
Finalist
91
I SPIRIT Vodka Italy, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$34.99
Finalist
91
Milano Green Ultra Premium Vodka Italy, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$29.99
Finalist
91
Nemiroff Distinct Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$19.00
Finalist
91
Vesica Vodka Poland, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$12.99
90
Heroes Premium Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$17.00
90
LiV Vodka United States, 40% abv
Excellent, Highly Recommended
$25.00
W
hat is it that makes a brandy, whis-
key, vodka, gin, liqueur, rum or
tequila great or, perhaps, not so great?
Those questions, asked by media, the
beverage industry and consumers alike,
are answered with skill and accuracy
once every March by the judging panels
at Ultimate Spirits Challenge. At New
York’s famed Astor Center, the world’s
spirits authorities convene to assess all
the entered distillates from the world’s
leading spirits producers without know-
ing what they are sampling. Blind tast-
ing is the only way to accurately assess
any spirit. The following results provide
the answers.
Over the course of three days, judg-
ing panels of renowned experts rigor-
ously toil over each spirit’s unique and
individual color, aroma, taste,
texture and mouth-feel. Is this
spirit clean and appealing to
the eye? Is there any
sediment? Does it
smell fresh, vigor-
ous and vivid or
is it dull, attic-like
and musty? Does
it properly reflect
its category’s estab-
lished standards?
Does the taste affirm
the findings ascertained in the aroma? Is it
silky, sharp, sweet, dry or bitter in the fin-
ish? These are just some of the numerous
questions asked of each entry. In truth,
they actually endure many more
levels of testing as the judges
put each spirit through its paces.
Price is inconsequential.
The end results, through mul-
tiple panels and much comparison,
are what lie before you now. The spir-
its cited in this guide identify the best
spirits in the world, coming from many
nations and even more distillers. Go
ahead… become spirited.
