World Spirits Award 2011 was a success

More products, more categories, more distilleries, more countries, more medals, more Spirits of the Year, more awards – and more success: this was the sum total of the WSA 2011. Wolfram Ortner successfully ran the eighth edition of the top-quality award ceremony and exhibition at the GAST in Klagenfurt from 20 to 23 March 2011.

For the first time in the history of the WSA, six awards were handed out – five for the title of “Distillery of the Year” and one for “Spirit of the Year”. The superstar of 2011 was the German distillery Hubertus Vallendar which won two awards. The Tyrolean distillery Christoph Kössler also won its sixth award. Two additional World-Spirits Awards went to the rum distilleries of Appleton Rum and St. Lucia Distillers. Rossbacher Bitter from Top Spirit secured an award for the first time. 35 distilleries were classified into the various categories (from fruit brandies to whiskies, grappas and rums) with 21 of them being awarded the title of “World-Class Distillery”, 7 being named as a “Master-Class Distillery” and 7 as a “First-Class Distillery”.

70 participants and distilleries from 33 nations (islands) took part in the “World-Spirits Award 2011”, submitting 337 spirits for consideration. 331 medals were awarded – 8 double golds (3 of them Spirits of the Year), 186 golds, 131 silvers and 6 bronze medals. 13 products received the title of “Best in Category”. The results are based on the WOB 100 point evaluation system, which is specially tailored to the world of spirits. An experienced international jury of tasters ensured an objective assessment.

From 21 March, portraits of the participants will be available in the press centre along with all the results, hit lists, country statistics and press photos for download. The online guide contains all the results and details about the spirits as well as over 13,000 addresses (distilleries, restaurants, retailers and equipment) and can be reserved at an annual subscription price of EUR 22.00: www.world-spirits-guide.com