Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
COMPETITIONS F rom the northernmost point of Canada to the southernmost tip of Chile, creativity and diversity radiate throughout the Americas. The Spirits of the Americas competition, run by the IWSC Group, celebrates this, and the unique distilling talent that is a result of this culture. To ensure impartiality, the spirits were presented in a series of blind tastings to a panel of respected, beverage industry professionals according to region, area and type. The 100-point scale on which the spirits are judged concentrates on appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish. Below are the Gold Medal results for the 2012 competition. For complete results, go to www.spiritsoftheamericas.com. —Breanne DeMore Spirits of the Americas Competition 2012 BITTERS Breckenridge Bitters Breckenridge Distillery TEQUILA AÑEJO Gran Dovejo Mendez Imports LIQUEUR Chila 'Orchata Sazerac Company, Inc. Ventura Limoncello Originale Ventura Limoncello Company TEQUILA EXTRA AÑEJO Qui Tequila Platinum Basha Holdings Casa Sauza Beam Inc. MEZCAL JOVEN Mezcal 8 Viboras, Abocado Espadin Mezcal 8 Viboras, Espadin Mezcal 8 Viboras, Tobalá & Espadin Blend Elixir de los Reyes S.A. de C.V FLAVORED TEQUILA SX Cafedoble SX Liquors MEZCAL REPOSADO Benesin Nolasco Spirits Los Amantes Palm Bay Imports TEQUILA BLANCO Milagro Silver Tequila William Grant & Sons Montalvo Plata Tequila Casa Montalvo Holdings Sauza Blue Tequila Beam Inc. TEQUILA REPOSADO Herradura Brown-Forman Corporation Milagro Select Barrel Reserve William Grant & Sons RUM Caña Brava The 86 Company Kirk and Sweeney The Other Guys PISCO Pisco Portón Mosto Verde Acholado Pisco Portón Mosto Verde Quebranta Destilería La Caravedo VODKA American Harvest Organic Spirit Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. Starlite Vodka Treaty Oak Distilling Co. SX Negro Vodka Reposado SX Liquors AMERICAN WHISKEY 5th Anniversary Straight Bourbon Balcones Distilling Big House Straight Bourbon Whiskey The Wine Group Clyde May's Whiskey Conecuh Ridge Distillery Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Whiskey Hillrock Estate Distillery Old Forester Classic 86 Proof Brown-Forman Corporation Pearse Lyons Reserve Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. Texas 1 Single Malt Balcones Distilling Whistle Pig Whiskey Whistle Pig Farm CANADIAN WHISKY Collingwood Brown-Forman Corporation NON-ALCOHOL PRODUCT Simply Agave Syrup Simply Agave april 2013 / the tasting panel / 91