Judging
Our Concept
A unique competition designed to recognize both excellence and preference by consumers that enjoy brandy and the bar & retail experts that sell it.
The judging will be directly overseen and managed by Dave Sweet and Flavien Desoblin.
All samples will be tasted blind with the judging and operations of the day hosted and conducted by the Whiskey and Barrel Nite staff.
To maintain integrity and fairness throughout the judging, Dave and Flavien will NOT be participating as judges and will have no part in the scoring, but will contribute to flavor notes and profiles after the judging is finalized.
Each table (5-8 judges) will be headed by an industry professional/retail sales expert. Consumer judges will range from experienced aficionados to new enthusiasts.
How brandies are judged.
Our primary focus is to evaluate and combine value, product quality and flavor preference. We recognize consumers are price sensitive.
To help make these awards meaningful, all products will be categorized and judged in the established price brackets below.
The products are tasted and assessed individually alongside others in the same category. The brandies are presented to judges with only a number identifier in glasses already poured. All judging will be standard blind tastings with only category and ABV disclosed to the judges.
Our judges will score the brandies on their individual merits as well as preference. This means there may be multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal winners in each category.
In addition to the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, there will be a “Consumer Choice” award, which will express the best and most preferential in each category.
PRICING BRACKETS – All product categories will be seperated by their relevant price points.
AMERICAN BRANDY
Price Level 1 $36 and under
Price Level 2 $37 – $100
Price Level 3 $101 and over
COGNAC
Price Level 1 $60 and under
Price Level 2 $61 – $120
Price Level 3 $121 and over
ARMAGNAC
Price Level 1 $80 and under
Price Level 2 $81 – $150
Price Level 3 $151 and over
WORLD BRANDY, GRAPPA, FLAVORED BRANDY, BRANDY LIQUEUR
Price Level 1 $30 and under
Price Level 2 $31 – $90
Price Level 3 $91 and over
If MSRP is not entered on entry form, we will use Binny’s Beverage Depot (IL) standard pricing for 750ml bottle or equivalent to scale. If product is not available in IL, we will use pricing where available. We reserve the right to verify pricing. Pricing levels may be subject to change per current market.
We are aware and understand that some consumers make purchasing decisions based on age statements. In the interest of promoting a true Consumer Choice, our research has shown price is a bigger factor than age. All judging will be irrelevant of age statement.
Product Categories
American Brandy
111 American Fruit (non grape/apple) Brandy
113 American Applejack
114 American Immature Brandy, Grape
115 American Immature Brandy, Fruit (Non Grape)
WORLD BRANDY
161 World Fruit Brandy
162 World Immature Brandy, Grape
163 World Immature Brandy, Fruit (Non Grape)
French brandy
121 Fruit Eau-de-vie
123 Armagnac
GRAPPA
131 Grappa, America
FLAVORED Brandy