The inaugural Craft Distillers Spirits Competition took place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. over two days in December, 2017. The competition was created in conjunction with the upcoming Spirited International Spirits Trade Tasting & Show, February 27, 2018 (also at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds).
“For a first-year event launched late in the fall, less than 150 entries were received in time to be evaluated, but I think this lent the competition an exclusive feel for both judges and entrants,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, owner of Wine Competitions Management & Productions, which produced the event in association with Libations Logistics. “We were very pleased with the quality of entries and look forward to expanding our numbers next year as word spreads and the event grows. Twenty-two percent of our entries garnered Double Gold and Gold Medals combined.”
This year’s top honors were awarded to:
- Best of Show Clear Spirit, Great Women Spirits, Ada Lovelace Gin
- Best of Show Brown Spirit, Sonoma Brothers, Bourbon Whiskey
- Best of Show Liqueur, Spirit Works Distillery, Sloe Gin
All competition medal winners are posted at winecompetitions.com and TheDataStill.com. For details about the upcoming Spirited International Spirits Trade Tasting & Show, visit spiritedtradetasting.com or contact Ethan.Simon@SpiritedBiz.com.
