The results of the 2024 London Spirits Competition have now been released. Now in its seventh year this competition is unique for presenting awards based on quality, value and packaging.
This year there was a record number of entrants, from over 80 countries, all hoping to win the highly-prized bronze, silver and gold awards.
The competition organisers pride themselves on consistently bringing together a top panel of judges – leading figures from the leisure and hospitality sector, including the UK’s leading bartenders and spirits buyers.
Over three days in March the judges sniffed, swirled and spat their way through a vast array of gins, vodkas and whiskies, along with a diverse range of more esoteric spirits.
With 98 of a possible 100 points, the show-stopping winner was Eminente Gran Reserva Edition No. 1, a fine rum produced in Cuba, taking the coveted award of the World’s Best Spirit.
Commenting on this year’s competition, Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, the organisers of the competition, said: “The London Spirits Competition is becoming more widely known in the trade with each passing year, as the 2024 approaches, we plan to make London Competitions more global.
“London still attracts the most sophisticated taste palette when it comes to trade judges making it a solid test ground for both international and domestic brands to get critical feedback especially on the new products that producers plan to take out in the market.”
After the competition various judges sent in their comments to Sid and his team applauding the quality of the event.
Giuseppe Destefano was impressed with the diversity of the submissions: “I’m a very creative person and love to work with new ingredients and discover new flavours from around the world. I’m in love with Asian culture and bartending; I have just come back from Vietnam for a tour of masterclasses and guest shifts. It was great to see spirits from Asia this year.”
Aurelie Montana also enjoyed sampling spirits from across the globe: “It was amazing. I was surprised by some spirits, including a vodka from the USA, and some spirits from Greece and France, were stand-out products.”
“Tequila is definitely growing exponentially at the moment. Reposado in particular is booming and I tasted a few great tequila’s today” said Charlie Thornton
For Sandor Biro the competition provides a “great opportunity to taste new products, which are not necessarily available in the UK.”
All 2024 entrants were also provided with additional feedback on how the category is performing and if the product is a good fit for on-trade and off-trade, especially when it comes to the UK drinks market.
To see the full line-up of winners follow this LINK