Judging
Our Concept


A unique competition designed to recognize both excellence and preference by consumers that enjoy whiskey and the bar & retail experts that sell it.
The judging will be directly overseen and managed by Dave Sweet and Mario Campa.
All samples will be tasted blind with the judging and operations of the day hosted and conducted by the Whiskey and Barrel Nite staff.
To maintain integrity and fairness throughout the judging, Dave and Mario will NOT be participating as judges and will have no part in the scoring, but will contribute to flavor notes and profiles after the judging is finalized.
Each table (5-8 judges) will be headed by an industry professional/retail sales expert. Consumer judges will range from experienced aficionados to new enthusiasts.
HOW SPIRITS ARE JUDGED
Our primary focus is to evaluate and combine value, product quality and flavor preference. We recognize consumers are price sensitive.
To help make these awards meaningful, all products will be categorized and judged in the established price brackets below.
The products are tasted and assessed individually alongside others in the same category. The spirits are presented to judges with only a number identifier in glasses already poured. All judging will be standard blind tastings with only category and ABV disclosed to the judges.
Our judges will score the spirits on their individual merits as well as preference. This means there may be multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal winners in each category.
In addition to the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, there will be a “Consumer Choice” award, which will express the best and most preferential in each category.
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OUR JUDGES
We are excited to see the great response from both invited industry and consumer judges. Members of the industry ranging from on and off premise retail, brand ambassadors, producers, importers and distributors. Our pool of consumer judges is incredibly diverse from veteran collectors and enthusiasts to new but passionate whisky drinkers. All whisky writers and media are invited to participate. Below is some of the judging panel – more being added daily.
Returning Judges
Becky Barnhart, BC Merchants
Marissa Barker, Consumer
Gerard Bonar, Consumer
Kevin Dixler, Consumer
Martin Duffy, Glencairn, U.S. Representative
Adina Ewaldz, Consumer
Monique Huston, VP, Wholesale Spirits Portfolio, Winebow
Jeff Joseph, Editorial Director and Publisher for Luckbox Magazine, Host of the Prediction Trade Podcast
Brian Minevich, Consumer
Richard Pless, Consumer
Bill Slabich, Consumer
Tom Van Vleet, Consumer
A Warm Welcome to our New Judges
Chris Blatner, Founder of Urban Bourbonist, LLC, Executive Director of Bourbon Charity, Executive Bourbon Steward
Crispin Cain, CEO, Director of Production, Tamar Distillery
Maurice Chevalier, Regional Brand Ambassador, International Beverage Group
Jake Hukee, Midwest Brand Ambassador, Starward Whisky
Ari Klafter, Co-owner and Head Distiller of Thornton Distilling, President of Illinois Craft Distillers Association
Steve Malloy, Co-owner of Malloy’s Finest Wine & Spirits
Raj Sabharwal, WSET Level 3, CSSCertified Spirits EducatorCertified Whisky AmbassadorFounding Partner – Glass Revolution Imports
Jeff Yang, Artistic Director, In the Realm of Senses
PRICING BRACKETS – All product categories will be seperated by their relevant price points.
NORTH AMERICAN WHISKIES
Price Level 1 $50 and under
Price Level 2 $51 – $100
Price Level 3 $101 and over
IRISH WHISKIES
Price Level 1 $50 and under
Price Level 2 $51 – $100
Price Level 3 $101 and over
SCOTCH WHISKIES
Price Level 1 $80 and under
Price Level 2 $81 – $150
Price Level 3 $151 and over
INTERNATIONAL WHISKIES
Price Level 1 $70 and under
Price Level 2 $71 – $120
Price Level 3 $121 and over
If MSRP is not entered on entry form, we will use Binny’s Beverage Depot (IL) standard pricing for 750ml bottle or equivalent to scale. If product is not available in IL, we will use pricing where available. We reserve the right to verify pricing. Pricing levels may be subject to change per current market.
We are aware and understand that some consumers make purchasing decisions based on age statements. In the interest of promoting a true Consumer Choice, our research has shown price is a bigger factor than age. All judging will be irrelevant of age statement.
Product Categories
North American Whisky
INTERNATIONAL WHISKY – SINGLE MALTS
SCOTCH WHISKY
IRISH WHISKEY