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Feature
The DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting 2024
As the temperature drops in the Northern Hemisphere, consumers’ tastes change to drinks that offer warmth and comfort. Here we examine the spirits that fit the bill from the annual DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting.
As cooler months approach for those in the Northern Hemisphere, which flavours will consumers turn towards?
Distributor Mangrove anticipates that sweet serves, bold flavours, and simple cocktails will be in demand this autumn and winter. But what does the market offering look like? The DB & SB Autumn Blind Tasting aims to assess the assortment of products available at this time of year, to determine where quality, value for money, and innovative launches can be found. Gin, vodka, Tequila, whiskies from around the world, and more were put to the test to find the products deserving of Master, Gold and Silver medals.
Expert judges were split into six panels, which were led by this year’s chairs: Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC); Matt Chambers, whisky writer and co-founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog; Antony Moss, independent sustainability consultant; Anne Jones, owner and director of Limestone & Jones; Sarah Miller, freelance drinks writer and founder of the Gin A Ding Ding blog; and Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis, wine and spirits judge and professional.
Kiely’s panel included Joe Wadsack, journalist and broadcaster, and Casey Small, consultancy director. Chambers’ team comprised Sara Jane Eichler, founder of Negroni Club, and Harrods assistant buyer Luke Williams.
Moss was accompanied by Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant and founder of Neo Margarita, Henry Thorogood, European representative of Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten, and Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge.
Joining Rodriguez-Curtis for the judging were Graham McAteer, spirits partnership lead at Craft Clubs, Clinton Cawood, freelance drinks writer, and Tobias Gorn, co-founder and senior partner at International Drinks Specialist.
On Miller’s team were At Sloan bar manager Emilia Wrelton, and spirits judge Rosie Milsom.
Jones was joined by Laurence Baker, bars and restaurants manager at the Treehouse Hotel in London, and James Bunting, founder of New Make Communications.
Starting with a flight of gin, the tasting delivered two Silver medals for Good Gin and Puerto de Indias Strawberry. Small said about the latter: “If you want a strawberry gin, this tastes like strawberry, smells like strawberry – it does what it says.”
Delicate herbs
The second flight looked at vodka, and three Gold medals were awarded.
Sky Wave Triple Distilled Vodka, one of the Gold recipients, was said to be “very well balanced with good length”. Tasting notes included “delicate herbs” on the palate. Kiyokawa Vodka was awarded a Gold medal for its “clean, neutral nose with a little sweetness”. This led to a “smooth palate with creaminess towards the end”. And Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 2020 was deemed deserving of Gold, with “hints of vanilla and gentle, warm spice” ending with a “smooth finish”.
“If you needed vodkas for a bar, these would be great; very different styles,” noted Wadsack. Small added: “I’d have any of these in a Martini or a vodka soda – great vodkas.”
The Gold-standard continued into the Tequila flight, where Emyla Tequila also received the coveted award. Tasting notes included “hints of camomile, fruitiness and agave nectar” on the nose”, with “caramel, and some grassy, peppery depth” on the palate. “Beautifully aged,” said Kiely.
The tasting then moved to a flight of Scotch Whisky – Single Malt. The first Master medal of the tasting was discovered here: Quiet Rebels Amy, by Nc’nean. The single malt had a “lovely texture: silky, mouthcoating”. The palate was bursting with “dates, raisins, baking spices, caramel and jammy Sherry notes”. “A stunning dram,” said Kiely.
Diageo collected two Gold medals in this heat, one for Singleton Garden of Abundance: Exotic Spice Grove, and a second for Singleton Garden of Abundance: Radiant Spring Garden. When sampling the second whisky, Williams found aromas of “red apple and pear”, and the taste of “green apple” on the palate. “Overall, balanced and refreshing,” he said.
The Scotch Whisky – Blended flight delivered two Gold medals, including one for The Sassenach Whisky. Chambers found this to be “bold and sweet” on the nose, and “silky and sugary on the palate, with bitter orange oil, a hint of milk chocolate and malty biscuits”. Fellow Gold medallist Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet had a “lovely bright cereal nose”, with “persimmon and grapefruit” on the palate. “Really good,” added Wadsack.
Two Silver medals completed the flight.
Halewood Artisanal Spirits secured two Silver medals in the following flight, Scotch Whisky: Single Malt – Lowland. The medals were handed to “bright and lively” John Crabbie, and “warming and fruity” Johnny Cree.
From Scotland, the tasting headed across the pond to test a selection of American whiskeys.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey walked away with four awards: a Master medal and three Golds. The top accolade was bestowed upon Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 905. Eichler found this to be “fudgy and fruity on the nose, with deep, rich fruitiness, wood and caramel” on the palate. “This was one of the highlights of the day,” Eichler added. “Great consistency, and exciting to see the growth of Tennessee whiskey with great complexity across the board.”
It was then onto Ireland. Diageo collected two Golds and a Silver in the Irish Whiskey round, with a Gold medal given to Roe & Co Solera Single Malt. Neotia noted its potential for pairing with food: “I am thinking Sunday roast and potatoes,” she said.
The outstanding Gold medal was given to The Donn from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co, which had a “very rich nose – cocoa and cream – with a heavy and sweet palate”.
The final whisky heat looked to Australasia. Copper and Grain Distilling bagged three medals: one Gold and two Silvers. The Gold award went to Morris Australian Single Malt Signature, which impressed with its notes of “dried fruit, cocoa, sweet spice, and nicely tapered finish”.
Persistent finish
Martell cleaned up in the following Cognac flight, receiving four Gold medals and one Silver.
Among the Gold winners was Martell Noblige. Bunting said the Cognac was “very well rounded”, with a “lovely persistent finish”. Gold-winning Martell VSOP was liked for its “bright and fresh fruit flavours with some tannic grip”. “A diverse flight showing the breadth of the category from entry-level simplicity to aged layered complexity,” said Jones. “The most successful had an effortless elegance.”
In the first of several rum rounds, two white rums added to the Gold medal total. Havana Club Original – Añejo 3 Años was awarded a Gold medal for notes of “bananas and cream, tropical fruit”. The second Gold went to “savoury, agricole-like” Right Rum. The Rum – Gold heat delivered a Silver medal, plus a trio of Golds, including “lovely, round and elegant” Ron Añejo Barrica Don Sulbaran.
The standard improved further in the Rum – Dark round, in which three Golds and a top Master medal were awarded. The Master was scooped up by Havana Club Añejo 15 Años. Cawood found this rum to have “elegance and sweetness; very drinkable, approachable. Demerara sugar, fudge, and some light spice.” During the final rum flight, Rum – Spiced, Black Tears received a Silver award.
A Silver, Gold and Master medal made up the Liqueurs flight – all awarded to products from Về Để Đi Distillery. The top accolade was awarded to Crème de Cacao. Wrelton found this to have “rich, very pronounced cacao on the nose” with some “almost Port or fortified wine qualities” on the palate. Another Master medal was awarded in the Speciality Spirits flight, along with one Gold to Pax44. Grappa di Barolo displayed all the qualities of a Master-worthy product, thanks to its “full-bodied, crisp apple and lavender flavours”.
The final round of the day was a recently launched ready-to-drink product: Absolut Vodka & Sprite. “Hits the brief on the head,” enthused Miller. “Smells exactly like Sprite. Perfectly good and does what it says on the tin.”
It was a strong ending to one of the most eclectic tastings in The GSMC calendar.
| Gin | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Vè Dê Di Distillery | Good Gin | Silver |
| Puerto de Indias | Puerto de Indias Strawberry | Silver |
| Vodka | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| The Sky Wave Distilling Company | Sky Wave Triple Distilled Vodka | Gold |
| Kiyokawa | Kiyokawa Vodka | Gold |
| Royal Mash | Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 2020 | Gold |
| Tequila | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Emyla Tequila | Emyla Tequila | Gold |
| Scotch Whisky – Single Malt | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Nc’nean | Quiet Rebels Amy | Master |
| Diageo | Singleton Garden of Abundance: Exotic Spice Grove | Gold |
| Diageo | Singleton Garden of Abundance: Radiant Spring Garden | Gold |
| Scotch Whisky – Blended | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Sassenach Spirits | The Sassenach Whisky | Gold |
| Diageo | Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet | Gold |
| Diageo | Johnnie Walker Masters Cut | Silver |
| Diageo | Johnnie Walker High Rye | Silver |
| Scotch Whisky: Single Malt – Lowland | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Halewood Artisanal Spirits | John Crabbie | Silver |
| Halewood Artisanal Spirits | Johnny Cree | Silver |
| American Whiskey | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 905 | Master |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | Gold |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey | Gold |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 | Gold |
| Irish Whiskey | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| The Craft Irish Whiskey | The Donn | Gold |
| Diageo | Roe & Co Solera Single Malt | Gold |
| Diageo | Roe & Co Flor 14 Year Old | Gold |
| Diageo | Roe & Co 106 | Silver |
| World Whisky – Australasia | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Copper and Grain Distilling | Morris Australian Single Malt Signature | Gold |
| Copper and Grain Distilling | Morris Australian Single Malt Muscat Barrel | Silver |
| Copper and Grain Distilling | Morris Australian Single Malt Tokay Barrel | Silver |
| Cognac | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Martell | Martell Cordon Bleu | Gold |
| Martell | Martell Noblige | Gold |
| Martell | Martell Blue Swift | Gold |
| Martell | Martell VSOP | Gold |
| Martell | Martell VS | Silver |
| Rum – White | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Havana Club | Havana Club Original – Añejo 3 Años | Gold |
| Vê Dê Di Distillery | Right Rum | Gold |
| Rum – Gold | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela | Ron Añejo Barrica Don Sulbaran | Gold |
| Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela | Ron Reserva Barrica Don Sulbaran | Gold |
| Central de Licores Unidos de Venezuela | Ron Reserva Especial Barrica Don Sulbaran | Gold |
| Havana Club | Havana Club Añejo Especial | Silver |
| Rum – Dark | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Havana Club | Havana Club Añejo 15 Años | Master |
| Havana Club | Havana Club Cuban Smoky | Gold |
| Havana Club | Havana Club 7 Años | Gold |
| The Island Rum Company | La Progresiva | Gold |
| Rum – Spiced | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| The Island Rum Company | Black Tears | Silver |
| Liqueurs | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| ve Dê Di Distillery | Crème de Cacao | Master |
| ve Dê Di Distillery | Triple Sec | Gold |
| ve De Di Distillery | Creme de Coconut | Silver |
| Speciality Spirits | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Vini Classici Borgogno | Grappa di Barolo | Master |
| Portafortuna | Pax44 | Gold |
| Pre-Mixed/RTD | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Coca-Cola Europacific Partners | Absolut Vodka & Sprite | Gold |
For the results of this year’s DB & SB Spring Blind Tasting, click here.
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