Ultimate Spirits Challenge, a global standard for spirits competitions, announced today the winners and full results for the 2015 Challenge.
Now in its sixth year, Ultimate Spirits Challenge celebrates 33 Chairman Trophy winners, the highest award, along with 162 Finalists as well as Tried & True Awards and Great Values.
The Challenge, which grew by 14% from 2014, was held in its specially designed evaluation center in Hawthorne, NY.
All products are rated on the 100-point scale by spirits industry judges, including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners.
The judges for USC 2015: Founder/Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, James Conley, Tad Carducci, Dale DeGroff, Gregg Glaser, Geoffrey Kleinman, Douglass Miller, Dan Nicolaescu, Steve Olson, Will Shine, Francis Schott, Andy Seymour and Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW.
USC 2015 – Chairman Trophy Winners
Tried & True Award (T&TA): Spirit brands are eligible for the Tried & True Award if they have scored 85 points or above in at least two Ultimate Spirits Challenges since 2010.
Great Values (GV): is awarded to products with a favorable relationship between their price and final USC score. They are the finest spirits within their respective price points.
VODKA
Unflavored: Russian Standard Original (GV)
Flavored: Van Gogh Dutch Caramel (GV)
GIN
Cold River (GV, T&TA)
RUM
Opthimus Finished in Port Casks 25 Years Old
TEQUILA 100% AGAVE
Blanco: El Tesoro Platinum (T&TA)
Reposado: Blue Nectar (GV)
Añejo: Siete Leguas (GV, T&TA)
Extra Añejo: Malinalli (T&TA)
MEZCAL
Amaras (GV)
WHISKEY – USA
American: Lone Elm Texas Wheat
Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Years Old (T&TA)
Rye: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight 6 Years Old (T&TA)
Tennessee: George Dickel No. 12 (GV, T&TA)
WHISKEY – IRELAND
Blended: Jameson 18 Years Old (T&TA)
Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 15 Years Old (T&TA)
Single Malt: Bushmills 16 Years Old (T&TA)
WHISKY – SCOTLAND
Blended Malt: Sheep Dip (T&TA)
Blended: Dewar’s 18 Years Old (T&TA)
Single Malt: Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt (GV, T&TA)
WHISKY – CANADA
Tap Rye Sherry Finished 8 Years Old (GV)
WHISKY – FRANCE
Armorik Single Malt Sherry Finish (T&TA)
WHISKY – WALES
Penderyn Single Malt (T&TA)
BRANDY
Armagnac: Chateau de Laubade Cask Strength 1989 25 Years Old Bas-Armagnac
Calvados: Boulard XO Auguste
Cognac: ABK6 XO Family Reserve (GV)
Grappa: Candolini Bianca (GV)
Pisco: Pisco Porton Mosto Verde Italia
Spanish Brandy: Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva (T&TA)
Grape Brandy: Asbach Gothe Vintage Reserve 1952 Cask No. 1777
LIQUEUR
Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire
VERMOUTH
Noilly Prat Rouge (GV)
SHOCHU
iichiko BLŪ
BITTERS/AMARO
Foro Amaro (GV)
