Meininger’s International Spirits Award 2022
Once again high level at the ISW April Tasting / The trend categories gin, aperitif and non-alcoholic distillates showed their full potential
The second major themed tasting of Meininger's International Spirits Award ISW was dominated by the unbroken gin trend. The jury of experts was able to taste and evaluate well over 200 juniper spirits of all varieties. In addition, the ISW celebrated the second edition of the Gin & Tonic Tasting, which was successfully launched last year. In addition to gin, the trend categories of aperitif & vermouth as well as the up-and-coming non-alcoholic distillates were particularly popular.
In mid-April, the spotlights of the global spirits world were once again on Neustadt, Germany, where international experts gathered for ISW's April Tasting. Over 400 products from the wide world of gin as well as the categories of aperitif, vermouth and non-alcoholic distillates were tasted and evaluated blind as usual. In addition to some exciting new discoveries, there were above all some title defenders who were able to see their grandiose quality confirmed.
The best products were awarded 4x Grand Gold, 71x Gold and 50x Silver. The second edition of the big Gin & Tonic Tasting, where "Perfect Matches" were awarded for the combination with four different tonics, also provided excitement.
In the video, Tim Allgaier, spirits expert of Meininger Verlag, and Christian Wolf, tasting director of ISW, present the best products and sum up an exciting April tasting:
Gin of the Year 2022 national:
Farny Alpen Gin - Dry Gin
An inspiring gin that we had not previously had on our radar. The Allgäu Dry Gin from the Edelweiss brewery Farny is handcrafted in the affiliated distillery. This year, it was the only gin to win a Grand Gold Medal, earning it the title of "Gin of the Year National" in a top-class field of participants. Powerful and classic with concise juniper spice and fruity-fresh citrus and herbal notes, the gin brings everything you would expect from the category.
Gin of the Year 2022 international:
Broker’s Premium London Dry Gin
The international winner, on the other hand, is an "old hand" in the competition and already won the special award last year. Broker's London Dry Gin from Great Britain rightly embodies a global benchmark for the traditional style - clear juniper, coriander and fine citrus notes characterise the clean aroma. The defending champion also presents itself confidently and with a strong character in its design - classic British with melon. Hats off!
Wood-aged gin of the year 2022:
Schneeberger OAK Gin
Outstanding barrel-aged gins are an art in themselves - the fragile aromas do not always harmonise with the wood and are quickly overpowered. But the Austrian wine experts at Schneeberger manage this to perfection. The basis is a voluminous dry gin with subtle bitter notes of angelica, which is allowed to rest for 18 months in French oak barrels that previously housed apple brandy. Harmoniously sweet notes of vanilla, baked apple and caramel lift the gin to a new level.
Sloe Gin of the Year 2022:
Studer Swiss Highland Sloe Gin
The Swiss can also produce first-class gin - above all the Studer distillery, whose distilling expertise goes back more than 130 years. The harmonious sloe gin already won a solid gold medal last year and is now surpassing itself once again. The fruity, tart aroma of wild sloes combines perfectly with the full-bodied gin melange of juniper, ginger and pepper that sets the tone.
Aperitif of the Year 2022 national:
Hugo Asbach Aperitif Rosé
Title defence par excellence! Fine German base wines from the Rhine, fresh elderflowers and a little wormwood are the recipe for the Hugo Asbach Aperitif Rosé. Like last year, the trendy colour rosé in bitter-sweet harmony with the classic brandy from the house of Asbach absolutely convinced the tasters. This is how a modern aperitif with an individual philosophy works.
Aperitif of the Year 2022 international:
Nonino L’Aperitivo Botanical Drink
It's hard to believe, but the title was also defended internationally in the aperitif category. And that was certainly not due to a lack of competition. The sun-golden, Mediterranean aperitivo from the Italian grappa experts at Nonino presents itself again this year in perfect balance: fresh and voluminous, floral with a gentle bitterness, it brings the full Italian joie de vivre into the glass.
Vermouth of the Year 2022:
Lustau Vermut Rosé
Rosé is also the trend colour par excellence in the vermouth sector and leads the traditional category into the future. The sherry pioneers at Bodega Lustau know their way around fortified wines and present their masterpiece with the Rosé Vermouth. Pleasantly spicy, subtly sweet and incomparably fresh with the full palette of citrus fruit flavours. Not to be forgotten: Vermouth also successfully defended its title from last year!
Non-alcoholic distillate of the year 2022:
JNPR n°2
The growth of the non-alcoholic distillate category is breathtaking and fortunately, the quality is also growing. Whether as an alternative to gin, vermouth and co or as a product in its own right - the products are to be taken seriously and steal the show aromatically from one or the other high-proof sibling. With the French JNPR n°2, the harmony is overwhelming. Alcohol- and sugar-free, the distillate fully showcases classic gin botanicals around juniper, ginger, allspice, cardamom and pepper.
