DB & SB Spring Blind Tasting 2023 results

As spring arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, we put a selection of spirits on the market to the test. These are the top-quality products that passed the rigorous taste test.

In the UK, the clocks have jumped forward and it is officially British Summer Time. Thankfully, the weather also seems to have received the memo, and the final cold spell of winter feels well and truly behind us – spring has officially sprung.

At this time of year, The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (The GSMC) pauses to take a closer look at the spirits on the market as the seasons change. The GSMC handles the spirits portion of The DB & SB Spring Blind Tasting, while The Global Wine Masters assesses all things wine, beer and cider.

The tasting took place at the Novotel Hotel in London Bridge. Two panels of judges put spirits categories through their paces. Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, led the first panel, which comprised Derek Millar, retired whisky sales advisor, and Marta Tirele, bartender at London’s Lost & Found.

The second group included Evan Prousaefs, bar manager at London’s Sexy Fish, who chaired the team. He was accompanied by Claire Filer, of Ginesthesia, and Alan Uresti, head of mixology at London’s Annabel’s.

Strong results

The opening round of Vodka delivered a strong set of medal results: five Golds and two Silvers. Gold winners included Black Cow and English Strawberries Vodka, which impressed the judges with its “strawberry jam” aroma and “mellow palate, with plenty of vodka character still apparent”.

Gold-winning Abstrakt – Original from BrewDog Distilling Co also won Gold for its “creamy body with slight peppery notes”, while Gold medallist Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 2020 was praised for its “light body with citrus notes”.

Russian Bear collected Gold for its “waxy and crisp finish”, and Absolut Mandrin was found to be deserving of a Gold medal for its “full-on mandarin peel flavour”.

Filer said: “These were classy and well-made products with good flavour notes.”

North Uist Distillery delighted the judges with a double dose of Master medals in the following Gin flight. Downpour Coast & Croft Gin secured the top accolade for its “fresh, vibrant nose with lots of citrus and juniper”. “This would make a great G&T,” noted Kiely.

Downpour Scottish Dry Gin also gained a Master medal after the judges liked its “complex citrus bouquet” on the nose and “complex, citrus-forward and juniper-forward” palate. The Gin heat also produced five Gold medals and one Silver. Among the Gold winners was LoneWolf Cactus and Lime, which had “good body and depth – a lovely, citrusy gin”.

“These were very different gins,” noted Millar. “Some showed how they were drifting away from your standard gin to give something a bit more complex, and at times with a little less juniper. The ones that did well made sure they still had that distinct juniper note and were well put together.”

Santo Gusano collected a Gold medal in the following Mezcal flight. Prousaefs described the mezcal as “pungent on the nose with complex agave and smoke notes”. The palate was described as being “dry, smoky, and sweet – but not overly smoky”.

In the Tequila – Blanco heat, a Gold medal was given to Cenote Tequila Blanco. Filer enjoyed the Tequila’s “light, grassy nose” leading to “pepper, agave and savoury spice” on the palate.

The brand’s medal haul continued into the Tequila – Reposado round, where Cenote Tequila Ahumado and Cenote Tequila Reposado both received Gold medals. Cenote Tequila Ahumado had “lots of floral notes on the nose” and was “very smooth and easy to sip”.

Cenote Tequila Reposado delivered “buttery oak, agave and green pepper” on the nose, and a finish full of “baking spices, pepper and caramelised orange peel”.

Lingering sweet orange

Cenote Tequila Añejo offered aromas of “soft oak and caramel”, leading to a “viscous, oily mouthfeel with buttery caramel oak notes”, and secured a Gold medal as a result in the Tequila – Añejo flight. The brand’s final medal came during the Tequila – Flavoured flight, where Cenote Green Orange Tequila won a Silver medal partly due to its “lingering sweet orange” on the finish.

The competition also assessed a flight of agave-based spirits hailing from outside of Mexico. Inspired Hospitality won a trio of medals in this flight, a Master, a Gold and a Silver. The Master medal was awarded to Maya Pistola Agave Pure Añejo.

The palate was found to have a “nice texture with prominent oak influence”, enhanced by “building spice”. Millar was impressed by the overall standard of the round: “The quality was very good, and it was interesting to see how those outside of Mexico are interpreting agave spirits.”

Third Eye Distillery won a Gold medal in the Rum – White flight, enjoyed for notes of “overripe banana, dusty cacao and mid-palate heat”. The Rum – Dark round produced a Silver medal in the form of “sweet and citrusy” 327 Rum XO.

From rum, the judges progressed to whisky, starting with a flight of Scotch Whisky – Blended. The Sassenach secured a Silver medal for its “good balance” and “well-handled higher ABV”.

In the Irish Whiskey – Blended contingent, two Gold medals were awarded to Belfast Distillery Company. The producer won a Gold award for its McConnell’s Irish Whisky 5 Years Old, enjoyed for its notes of “peach, poached pears” on the nose, leading to “a warming palate with lightly toasted oak, nutty wood spice and caramel-cooked apples”.

The producer was also awarded Gold for its McConnell’s Irish Whisky Sherry Cask Finish. The whiskey was praised for flavours of “toasted oak, loads of white pepper, sweet baking spices, and caramel and spice finish”.

Prousaefs noted: “This was a great example of the great overall standard of the category. These high standards ensure trust in the category from a customer’s perspective without the need for brand knowledge.”

Kinsale Spirits took home a Gold medal for Great Earl Irish Whiskey in the Irish Whiskey – Single Grain flight. The whiskey was “subtle yet complex” on the palate with “heather honey and vanilla notes”, the judges noted.

In the American Whiskey – Bourbon round, a Master medal was awarded to Never Say Die Barrel Strength Bourbon. The judges celebrated the “warmth and power on the nose”, and noted the Bourbon’s “brilliant integration considering the higher ABV”.

Keepr’s Smoked Honey Infused Bourbon took home a Silver award.

Excellent balance

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey collected two Masters in the American Whiskey – Tennessee flight. Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey was hailed for being “complex and sweet” on the nose, with “excellent balance overall”.

Stablemate Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey won a Master medal for being “balanced”, with “caramelised banana, dark chocolate and peppery spices” on the palate.

“Great expressions from the producers, with outstanding balance between oak and grain,” noted Uresti.

Filer was equally impressed by the flight. She added: “Stunning, delicious and complex examples of this category, with lingering and developing finishes.”

The World Whisky flight presented another Master expression: St Kilian – Peated – Rich & Smoky. Tasting notes included “some nuttiness and smoke” on the nose, with “green citrus, zesty character” on the palate.

In the Liqueurs round, Creamy Creation (B2B) collected a trio of awards – including a Master medal of its Cream Liqueur Coconut with Baijiu Concept. The business-to-business manufacturer secured the top award for its aroma, which delivered “coconut cream in abundance – smells delicious”. The palate continued to offer “creamy coconut and the distinct flavour of baijiu – the flavours work very well together and it does exactly what it says it will”, noted Kiely.

Creamy Creation also received two Silver awards for its “indulgent, balanced” Cream Liqueur Chocolate with Baijiu Concept, and its “sweet and creamy” Cream Liqueur with Baijiu Concept.

The Speciality Spirits heat of the blind-tasting competition presented four alcoholic whipped creams, co-founded by rapper Cardi B: Whipshots. The vodka-infused brand won two Gold medals and two Silvers for its various flavours.

The Gold awards were given to Whipshots Mocha and Whipshots Peppermint. Whipshots Mocha was deemed to be Gold-worthy due to balancing classic whipped cream flavour and texture with mocha, and “vodka coming at the end”.

Whipshots Peppermint offered “authentic” peppermint flavour “and some chocolate”, with “pronounced vodka”. A Silver medal went to Portafortuna XO.

“Really fascinating developments in this category and some clever products launched,” noted Filer.

The following flight was a selection of low-and-no entries, which saw Everleaf Forest go straight to the top with a Master medal. The entry presented “lovely complexity on the nose with saffron, vanilla and orange blossom”. “Aromatic and the flavours are very complementary of one another,” noted Kiely. “The palate is equally delicious – very sophisticated.”

Five Gold medals and five Silver medals were also awarded in this heat, including three Golds to Intune Drinks. Among the producer’s Gold-winning products was Intune Grapefruit & Mint CBD Drink, which was liked for its “refreshing” flavour profile.

And closing the competition was a round of tonic waters and mixers, which saw Wildleaf Drinks win three medals – two Golds and one Silver. Wildleaf Lumière – Juniper Tonic won a Gold medal for “slight floral and bright juniper notes”. Gold-winning Wildleaf Atlas – North African Tonic delivered “good carbonation and nicely balanced” profile.

The tasting showed the breadth of flavour and innovation coming from the spirits world, and the low-and-no and mixer categories. The judges concluded there was much to explore on the market this spring, and beyond.

This week, the results of The Tonic & Mixer Masters 2023 were revealed.

Vodka

Gin

Mezcal – Joven

Tequila – Blanco

Tequila – Reposado

Tequila – Añejo

Tequila – Flavoured

Agave Spirits – Other

Rum – White

Rum – Dark

Scotch Whisky – Blended

Irish Whiskey – Blended

Irish Whiskey – Single Grain

American Whiskey – Bourbon

American Whiskey – Tennessee

World Whisky

Liqueurs

Speciality Spirits

Low & No

Tonics & Mixers