On 21 May 2024, the sixth edition of the Bartender Spirits Awards took place in Chicago. This year's Bartender Spirits Awards was the largest ever, with entries from more than 48 countries. As expected, the US sent in the most entries, followed by Mexico, Italy, France and India. The competition had a diverse range of entries, with Whisk(e)y, Gin and Tequila as the three most popular categories.
Bartender Spirits Awards
Have you heard of the Bartender Spirits Awards? As the name suggests, the Bartender Spirits Awards is a prestigious annual competition in the world of spirits. The competition focuses on picking the best spirits. The aim of this award is to provide independent and honest reviews, giving people a clear idea of which drinks are really worthwhile.
Participants in the Bartender Spirits Awards are judged based on six key criteria: mixability, balance and versatility, flavour, mouthfeel and finish, packaging and price. These aspects are essential as they determine which products reach the best bars and which drinks are perfect for creating new cocktail menus.
Spirit of the Year
Spirit of the Year 2024 - seen as indispensable in any bar programme - is Citadelle Jardin d'Été gin. Thanks to its affordability and wide availability on the Belgian market, chances are you have already tasted this gin. If not, now there's really no reason to skip this gin. This special edition of Citadelle Gin, produced by Maison Ferrand in France, perfectly reflects the vibrancy and flavour of a summer garden. It offers a refreshing blend of no less than 22 different botanicals including, of course, juniper berries, but also lesser-known botanicals such as szechuan pepper and savory.
Jack Daniels 12 YO Tennessee Whiskey Batch 2
The award for Best Value for Money, also indispensable in any bar programme, goes to Jack Daniels 12 YO Tennessee Whiskey Batch 2. No surprise, as Jack Daniels is a fixture in every bar and restaurant. However, the preference for the 12-year-old variety shows how the liquor industry is increasingly emphasising premium products, even among the 'basic' drinks that are considered entry-level. Jack Daniels also won the awards for Grand World Whiskey and World Whiskey Producer.
The top three spirits for 2024
A lot of spirits won awards during these awards. As Maison Ferrand won the prestigious Spirit Of The Year award, in this blog we will therefore only dwell on all the other award-winning spirits from this house.
Citadelle Jardin d'Été gin
In first place, as discussed earlier, we have Citadelle Jardin d'Été gin. This gin won a Double Gold medal and achieved an impressive score of 99 out of 100 points.
Flavour profile
- Colour: crystal clear
- Nose: floral notes, with hints of violets, rose petals and lavender; A refreshing punch of citrus; Subtle hints of coriander seed and juniper berries and a hint of green tea.
- Flavour: On the tongue, Citadelle Jardin d'Été Gin presents itself gently, with a refreshing and lively taste experience. The floral notes of violets and rose petals emerge nicely, accompanied by a delicate sweetness reminiscent of honey. The flavour develops with a bright citrus explosion of lime and grapefruit, which adds a fruity freshness to every sip. A subtle hint of pepper adds a slight spiciness, while juniper and coriander offer a classic gin character.
- Finish: A mild spicy warmth fills the mouth, creating a balanced finish that highlights the gin's complex layers.
Ferrand 10 Générations Cognac
In second place in the ranking, with an impressive score of 92 points, we find the Ferrand 10 Générations Cognac. This cognac also comes from France. The Cognac Pierre Ferrand estate is located in the 'golden triangle' of Grande Champagne in Cognac and is managed by Alexandre Gabriel. Pierre Ferrand's cognacs are highly regarded worldwide. Ferrand 10 Générations is distilled in small, traditional copper alambics that play an essential role in the distillation process, fully expressing the delicate flavours and aromas of the grapes. After distillation, the ageing process begins in carefully selected oak barrels, some previously used for other wines or spirits, contributing to the cognac's complex and layered flavour.
Flavour profile
- Colour: golden amber
- Nose: floral notes such as rose, jasmine and lime, fruity aromas such as pear, apple and apricot, subtle spices and light toasted notes of almond and a hint of oak
- Taste: The mouth is filled with a rich and full-bodied texture that feels smooth and balanced. Flavours of dried fruit and honey, nutty notes, caramel and vanilla and oak influence.
- Finish: The aftertaste maintains a perfect balance between the sweetness of dried fruit and the soft spiciness, leaving a long-lasting and pleasant impression.
Mark Dermul from Whisky For Everyone (Whivie) could also appreciate this cognac, and Werner from @GoldenWhiskyCave thought it was one of the tastiest surprises from our tasting kit!
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Ferrand Sélection Des Anges Cognac
Also in third place, we find another cognac from Ferrand, called "Sélection des Anges". The name literally means "Selection of the Angels" and refers to the phenomenon of evaporation during the ageing process, known as "the angels' share" in the world of cognac. This cognac matures for many years in French oak barrels, with only the best eaux-de-vie selected for this luxurious expression. Sélection des Anges is ideally suited to pure enjoyment, especially in a tulip-shaped glass to fully unleash its rich aromas. It is also an excellent choice as an accompaniment to decadent desserts such as chocolate fondant or to finish a sophisticated dinner.
Flavour profile
- Colour: deep amber
- Nose: candied fruit, toasted nuts, spices and tobacco, honey and vanilla
- Flavour: On the tongue, the cognac is full and silky, with a rich texture that envelops the mouth. The oak barrel influence is evident, with nuances of toasted wood, pepper and a hint of nutmeg. Flavour notes of dried figs, plums and sultanas dominate, complemented by a subtle sweetness. Deep caramel notes and butterscotch give a sweet, buttery flavour that further deepens the complexity. Rounded flavours of vanilla and a hint of dark chocolate add a soft, creamy dimension.
- Finish: The aftertaste maintains a perfect balance between sweetness and spiciness, with a lingering impression of the rich flavours.
Curious about all the other toppers and their awards? Take a look at the Bartender Spirits Awards website.
You can find all of Maison Ferrand's winners here:
- Citadelle Gin Jardin d'Été
- Cognac Ferrand 10 Générations
- Cognac Ferrand Sélection Des Anges
- Citadelle Original Gin
- Cognac Ferrand Dry Curaçao
- Plantation/Planteray Barbados 5y Rum
- Cognac Ferrand Original 1840
- Plantation Barbados XO Rum
- Plantation/Planteray Xaymaca Rum
- Plantation/Planteray Cut & Dry Rum (not available online!)
- Plantation/Planteray Stiggins'
- Canerock Spiced Rum
Marketing • Blogger
As a creative jack-of-all-trades in the marketing world, I also bring that imaginative flair to my drink choices. Whether on a night out, sunny vacation or social gathering with girlfriends, I'm always in my element with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Cocktails have stolen my heart because of the endless possibilities to experiment and explore. My favorite cocktail of the moment is the "Lazy Red Cheeks"! A delicious cocktail using vodka as a base. I love vodka because it mixes perfectly with non-alcoholic drinks. My favorite spirit? Rum!
