The Global Speciality Spirits Masters 2015 results

In its second year, the Global Speciality Masters is a clear indicator of how spirits brands can drive innovation in cocktail culture.

From pre-mixed cocktails to bitters and vermouth, these are the results of our Global Speciality Spirits Masters 2015

Although spirits are the champions of mixed drinks, it’s globally acknowledged that some of the greats from the rich history of cocktails would not be held in such high esteem without the honorary dash of bitters, absinthe rinse, an injection of vermouth or whichever niche potion the celebrated bartender decided to include. As such, last year SB launched the Global Speciality Spirits Masters to give such significant products their chance to shine.

An independent panel gathered at Salt Whisky Bar for our blind tasting, made up of David Martin, business development manager at the WSET; Richard Brierley, consultant at 31Dover.com; Adrian Batlle, head bartender of the Mandarin Hotel; Ruth Ball, head alchemist at Alchemist Dreams; Nagesh Balusu, bar manager at Salt Whisky Bar; and Jamie Kimber, assistant manager at Trailer Happiness; chaired by Kristiane Sherry, editor of The Spirits Business.

The tasting began with a flight of cocktail bitters from Master of Malt in a series titled Bitter Bastards. The Sweet Orange and Black Truffle flavours attracted Gold medals straight off the bat, while Sour Cherry secured a Silver. “Although the established brands will always be there, this flight was a welcome surprise – each bitter as different as the next, with different purposes as well,” noted Sherry.

A small flight of two amaros – Amaro London and Becherovka Original – awaited our panel, scoring Gold across the board. Kimber said: “I’m especially impressed with these amaros. It’s not normally something I’d choose to drink but I’m highly impressed with both of them.” Batlle added: “They were both really elegant – well balanced and complex.”

We pressed on to absinthe, where Professor Cornelius Ampleforth Absinthe was awarded a Silver medal. Despite its high abv of 91.2%, judges declared it “remarkably smooth” and “an interesting experiment on a variation of absinthe”.

Aquavit was next in the line-up, where Spirit of Hven attracted a Silver medal for its organic expression. Balusu observed: “I like it. The spiciness is there, and it’s round and well balanced.”

SB‘s Kristiane Sherry joined a panel of expert judges for the blind tasting competition

Next the judges landed upon a flight of vermouths – the most familiar flight to all palates in attendance – where Mancino Vermouth Chinato was honoured with a Gold medal. Kimber noted: “On the nose it had a little hint of sweetness to it. I could happily drink a chilled glass – thoroughly enjoyable.” Batlle added: “I agree. It would also work well with floral gins.”

After vermouth judges tackled a small flight of schnapps, awarding Oscar’s Peach Schnapps by budget supermarket Aldi a Silver medal for its “delicious scent” and “fresh palate”. Sherry said: “I was pleased to find that on the palate it wasn’t overly sweet. It would appeal to a wide audience because it isn’t too saccharine. Despite schnapps’ youthful reputation, it does have a place in the market and I think examples like this can help the category find its way forward.”

Before the panel ventured on to pre-mixed cocktails, judges explored a small and simple flight of “beer spirits” that took them by surprise. Beer cocktails have shaken off their dated “shandy” or “snakebite” images and all that goes with them, and are enjoying a small-scale revival as bartenders seek to experiment with the hoppy liquid. Fruko-Schulz seeks to cater to such mixologists with its Beer Spirit cocktail, which attracted a Silver medal. Balusu said: “The nose is really interesting – there are hints of really good Scotch. It does lose it slightly on the palate, but it’s still very pleasant. It’s great to try something that is original.”

Judges from left to right: Richard Brierley, Jamie Kimber, Ruth Ball, David Martin, Adrian Batlle, Nagesh Balusu, and Kristiane Sherry

Our final flight was the most well-received: a selection of pre-mixed cocktails which aim to capitalise on the rising trend of make-at-home drinks. The Manhattan Cocktail was the stand-out of the flight, equally lauded across the board and harmoniously deemed Master medal-worthy. Kimber commented: “They were better than some cocktails I’ve been served in bars. Pre-mixed cocktails used to be something cheap, but these were genuinely very good. They all worked and tasted of what they say they should. I’d be happy to see more on the market.”

Balusu agreed: “I thoroughly enjoyed this flight. The industry, particularly bartenders, should embrace the pre-mixed cocktail, as it’s a totally different drinking occasion from what you’d expect in a bar. I think pre-mixed will emerge as a category in the same way no-age-statement spirits have. It will happen; it’s a natural continuation.”

The Boulevardier Cocktail and The Cask Aged Negroni Cocktail also wildly exceeded the panel’s expectations, claiming Gold medals, while The Negroni Cocktail attracted a Silver. Martin said: “These would be great for parties, you could really impress your guests with these. The Cask Aged Negroni has been rested for such a long time that the ingredients are very well integrated. It has a very rounded flavour – not overpowering at all.”

As bartenders continue to experiment and push flavour boundaries – whether with avant-garde elixirs or twists on time-honoured drinks – so the speciality spirits sector will evolve and expand.

Summing up the competition, Martin mused: “I was particularly impressed by the vermouths and amaros – they were a great indication of what the next trends will be within these categories. Their popularity is definitely increasing.”

Sherry agreed: “It was great to see the Italian spirits contingent doing so well. The revival of the vintage Italian cocktail is destined to continue when bartenders have liqueurs of this standard to play around with. Overall the Global Speciality Spirits Masters was a fascinating insight into the good health of the market.”

Click through to the following page for the complete list of medal winners from The Global Speciality Spirits Masters 2015.

Company	Brand	Medal
Cocktail Bitters
ATOM Brands Ltd	Bitter Bastards: Sweet Orange	Gold
ATOM Brands Ltd	Bitter Bastards: Black Truffle	Gold
ATOM Brands Ltd	Bitter Bastards: Sour Cherry	Silver
Amaro
Stellacello Limited	Amaro London	Gold
Karlovarska Becherovka	Becherovka Original	Gold
Absinthe
ATOM Brands Ltd	Professor Cornelius Ampleforth Absinthe	Silver
Aquavit
Spirit of Hven	Spirit of Hven Aquavit	Silver
Vermouth
Mancino Vermouth	Mancino Vermouth Chinato	Gold
Schnapps
Aldi UK	Oscar’s Peach Schnapps	Silver
Beer Spirit
Fruko-Schulz SRO	Fruko-Schulz Beer Spirit	Silver
Pre-Mixed Cocktail
ATOM Brands Ltd	The Manhattan Cocktail	Master
ATOM Brands Ltd	The Cask Aged Negroni Cocktail (4 months)	Gold
ATOM Brands Ltd	The Boulevardier Cocktail	Gold
ATOM Brands Ltd	The Negroni Cocktail	Silver