More Than 700 Spirits Evaluated
in San Francisco World Spirits Competition

The most influential spirits industry professionals in the United States gathered at San Francisco's Mandarin Oriental Hotel March 17 and 18 to swirl, sniff, sip, spit and rank the world's best spirits at the 7th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In all, 24 judges tasted 715 spirits in 357 different brand classifications from 51 countries. Spirits received Bronze, Silver, Gold or a Double Gold Medal.  Double Gold occurs when all judges on a panel agree that the spirit is Gold, upgrading the selection to Double Gold status.  Ninety-four Double Gold Medals were awarded, 27 percent more than 2006.  One hundred forty two Gold Medals, 230 Silver Medals and 177 Bronze Medals were awarded. 

"Entries have been increasing every year," says Director of Judging F. Paul Pacult.  "As a result we made some creative changes in the way our panels of judges see and evaluate spirits in the same category.  For instance, we broke down the unflavored vodka category even further by tasting them together according to their unique base ingredients whether it be wheat, rye, grape, neutral grain, potato, sugar cane or fruit." 

Among the most prestigious awards were:

• Distiller of the Year: Highland Park Orkney Islands, Scotland

• Importer of the Year: Diageo North America

• Best in Show-White: Milagro Reposado Tequila, Select Barrel Reserve, Mexico

• Best in Show Whisk(e)y: Bowmore 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland 

• Best in Show Brandy: Chateau de Laubade Intemporel Armagnac, Bas Armagnac, France

• Best in Show Liqueur: St. Germain Elderflower Blossoms Liqueur, France

Two new categories were added, one for Extra-Aged Añejo Tequila and one for Korean Soju and Japanese Shochu.  The category with the largest growth was Cachaça from Brazil, which went from three entries in 2006 (when it was introduced as a category) to 16 entries in 2007, making it equal to Gin for number of entries.

In addition to the premium awards, the best ranking spirit in each category was awarded a "Top" title. 

• White Spirits: Tanqueray Sterling Vodka as Top Vodka and Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka for Top Flavored Vodka

• Gin: Tanqueray London Dry Gin

• Rum: Pampero Aniversario Rum

• Cachaça:  Leblon Cachaça, also a Double Gold Medal 

• Whisk(e)y: Redbreast 12 Year Old Pure Pot Still, Irish Whiskey;  Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, North American Whisk(e)y;  Johnnie Walker Anniversary Pack Scotch, Blended Scotch; Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch, 15 Year Old , Blended Malt Scotch.

• Brandy and Liqueur : Hennessy Paradis Extra, Cognac; Bocchino 16 Year Old, Grappa;  Barsol Pisco Quebranta from Peru, Pisco; Cointreau Orange Liqueur, Fruit Liqueur; Dooley's Original Toffee Cream Liqueur, Cream Liqueur.

In the crowded Tequila categories, AromBroso Anejo Extra Aged Tequila and Silver Tequila both won Double Gold Medals as did Trago Silver. AmBroso Reposado Tequila won a Gold Medal.

Beam Global Spirits and Wine portolio won a record 31 medals, 17 of them Gold and Double Gold.  Double Golds went to Booker’s Bourbon, Dalmore 21 Year Scotch, and Dalmore 28 Year Scotch.

Judges included: Anthony Dias Blue • Patterson's The Tasting Panel Magazine, Los Angeles; F. Paul Pacult • Writer & Publisher, The Spirit Journal, New York; Tony Abou-Ganim • Master Mixologist, The Modern Mixologist, Las Vegas; Stephen Beal • Master of Scotch, Consultant & Educator, San Francisco; Julio Bermejo • Tequila Master / Spirits Buyer, Tommy's Mexican Restaurant, San Francisco; Jacques Bezuidenhout • Chief Mixologist, Tres Agaves, San Francisco; Mark Bowery • Wine & Spirits Consultant, Mark Bowery Consulting, California; Katie Ballou Calhoun • President, Calhoun & Company Communications, San Francisco; Jerry Cooper • Retailer / Wine & Spirits Buyer, Swirl on Castro, San Francisco; Janet Dyer • President, Wine Excel, San Francisco; Ziggy Eschliman • The Wine Gal, Wine Country Radio, California; Doug Frost, MS & MW • Wine & Spirits Writer, Kansas City Star, Kansas City; Richard Carleton Hacker • Spirits Journalist, Robb Report , Los Angeles; Ann Littlefield • Direct Wine Marketing Specialist, New Vine Logistics, Napa; Sean Ludford • Journalist, Beverage Experts, Chicago; Meridith May • Publisher / Executive Editor, Patterson's The Tasting Panel Magazine, California; Tim McDonald • President, Wine Spoken Here, California; Steven Olson • Wine & Spirits Educator & Consultant, aka Wine Geek, New York; Robert Plotkin • Author, Trade Writer, Beverage Consultant, BarMedia, Arizona; Audrey Saunders • Co-Owner & Mixologist, Le Pegu Club, New York; Kevin M. Vogt, MS • Wine & Spirits Director, Delmonico Steakhouse, Las Vegas and David Wondrich •  Spirits Writer, Esquire Magazine, New York.

Edited by Patricia S. Sherman
Credit photos: Martha Bruce Photography

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