ISW April Tasting 2023 / Photo Credit: Ralf Ziegler
ISW April Tasting 2023 / Photo Credit: Ralf Ziegler

ISW April Tasting 2023

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
Gin of the year 2023 international: Cotswolds Dry Gin

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
Aperitif of the year 2023 national: Anna Famosa Aperitivo

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
Vermouth of the year 2023: Antica Formula

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
Non-alcoholic distillate of the year 2023: Tanqueray 0.0

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 Edel Port Cask Aquavit
Aquavit of the year 2023: Opland Edel Port Cask Aquavit

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:

Christian Wolf
Christian Wolf

"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.

Christian Wolf
Director Degustation

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.

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