Successful April tasting at ISW
The second tasting round of the year at Meininger's International Spirits Award featured gin and juniper, aperitif and vermouth, non-alcoholic distillates, tequila and mezcal, as well as aquavit, absinthe and other spirits categories. Around 550 products were blind tasted and evaluated by the international jury of experts, of which 165 were awarded a medal - 2x Grand Gold, 85x Gold and 78x Silver.
In addition, eleven special awards were presented to the best products in their category. We present these briefly here.
Gin of the year 2023 national
BOAR Blackforest Premium Dry Gin
For an incredible third time in five years, the Black Forest Gin wins the award for best German gin. An impressive, but absolutely deserved achievement, because here you get everything you can expect from a classic gin in its purest form - complemented by the in-house fine truffle note. Rarity value in the gin sector has the distillation of its own raw alcohol to retain as full control as possible over the taste.
Gin of the year 2023 international
Cotswolds Dry Gin
The international winner comes, of course, from the motherland of gin: The Cotswolds Dry Gin from the southwest of England presents itself as classically juniper-driven and spicy, with balanced notes of citrus and lavender emerging only secondarily. As before, the gin is produced in small batches on the basis of its own wheat distillate and is not chill-filtered in order to preserve as much aroma as possible.
Gin barrel-aged of the year 2023
Koval Barrel Gin
For the best barrel-aged gin, we're taking a trip to Chicago this year. Koval Distillery is best known for its top-notch whiskey qualities, but it has also made a name for itself in gin. After all, six months of aging in whiskey barrels ensures the aromatic harmony of the gin, which delights with butterscotch notes and mild spiciness. In addition, all Koval gins are 100% certified organic.
Aperitif of the year 2023 national
Anna Famosa Aperitivo
This aperitif from Heidelberg has only been on the market since 2021, and since then it has already been able to make many friends at bars across the country. With gentle bitterness reminiscent of sweet Italian vermouth variants and balanced notes of ripe peach and fragrant roses, the aperitif perfectly embodies the spirit of the times. The moderate 15% vol. also ensure absolute drinkability for any occasion.
Aperitif of the year 2023 international
L'Aperitivo Nonino Botanical Drink
Quality prevails, and for the incredible third time in a row! The defending champion remains the international leader and certainly not for lack of top-class competition. The floral freshness, coupled with slight bitterness and a voluminous mouthfeel characterize the aperitif of the grappa experts from the house Nonino. Dolce Vita par excellence!
Vermouth of the year 2023
Antica Formula
A classic as it is in the book: Antica Formula is a symbol of vermouth enjoyment - whether neat or in classic cocktail recipes - and has been since 1786. In that year, Benedetto Carpano created the recipe for what was probably the first vermouth, which would later continue its triumphant progress as "Antica Formula" and continues to convince the jury of the International Spirits Awards to this day.
Non-alcoholic aperitif of the year 2023
Laori Ruby NO 4
At the first ISW tasting two years ago, the young Berlin brand was already able to convince with its Juniper NO 1; now Laori receives the first-ever award for the "Alcohol-free Aperitif of the Year" for its "Ruby NO 4". The full pack of citrus fruits - first and foremost the eponymous Ruby Grapefruit - combines elegantly with bitter notes of gentian and quassia as well as aromatic thyme. Full flavor without compromise!
Non-alcoholic distillate of the year 2023
Tanqueray 0.0
Tanqueray 0.0 has also been on the market in Germany since last year and has already secured a number of advocates in the growth segment of non-alcoholic gin alternatives. The brand image of the global gin giant is one success factor, the other is the use of the same botanicals as in gin: juniper, coriander, angelica root and licorice. Even without alcohol, the familiar aroma always remains a balanced presence on the palate.
Tequila of the year 2023
Tequila Reserva 1800 Añejo
Distilled from 100% Weber blue agave and aged for more than three years in American white oak and French Limousin oak barrels: this is the recipe for success for the 1800 Añejo. The Mexican flagship skilfully combines the freshness typical of tequila with the warm, spicy notes of barrel-aged spirits. By the way: Not only as the best tequila, but also awarded one of only two Grand Gold Medals of the entire tasting!
Aquavit of the year 2023
Opland Noble Port Cask Aquavit
The Opland brand stands for the finest Norwegian aquavit and especially the popular cask finishes have already won over one or two whisky fans. At least four years in sherry casks and an approximately one-year finish in aromatic port casks come together here for a round, spicy-soft aquavit experience. The port casks are filled only once to extract the maximum aroma.
Absinthe of the year 2023
Absinthe 52
A particularly exciting product comes from the experimental distillery of the DLR Staatsweingut, where beverage technologist Sascha Wolz has spent the last few years tinkering with the first Absinthe recipe of his own. The first, but certainly not last, batch of Absinthe 52 is just 60 bottles in size. A finely tuned wormwood distillate forms the aromatic basis, which is complemented by anise and fennel. For the amber-green color provides a natural extraction with mint.
Director Degustation Christian Wolf is well pleased with the second tasting of the ISW year:
"The great and grand world of gin - we had well over 200 products in competition here - once again presented itself as both exciting and challenging for our tasters. With the results, we are at the same time looking forward to the third round of our great Gin & Tonic Tasting, which will take place this time in June.
The last ISW tasting round of the year will take place on June 27 and 28 and will be dedicated to the major categories of whisk(e)y, rum, vodka, grain and other grain spirits, among others. At the same time the large Gin & Tonic Tasting will take place again. Products can still be submitted for the June tasting until June 2, 2023.
