The awarded distilleries may use this rating as an official classification– in connection with the vintage.

2. The awarding for the best spirits (Spirit of the Year ...)  

Every year the "WSA" is honouring the best products of the different varieties (Spirit of the Year), variety groups (World Spirits Award) and categories (World Spirits Award), (e.g. Williams Pear, Cognac, rum, vodka …). 

Rating scheme

96 to 100 points:           Double Gold:     world-class, extraordinary product
90 to 95 points:             Gold:                top product
80 to 89 points:             Silver:               good to very good product
71 to 79 points:             Bronze:             average product
65 to 71 points:                                     weak or slightly deficient product
under 65 points:                                    deficient product 

In each case, the "World Spirits Award" goes to the producer with the best product of a group, in terms of points attained - e.g.: fruit brandy - "pomaceous fruit", fruit brandy - "stone fruit", and grappa - "young grappa", (see Point 13: "Categories, groups and varieties") – and the best distillery within a category.

3. Marketing for the industry – specifically the participating distilleries 

The event organization of the "WSA" also involves marketing measures for the participating classified and/or awarded distilleries, in the form of intensive public relations and trends created for the different product lines.

The following marketing measures will be taken: 

• Partnerships with various media in the individual countries

• Press reports at regular intervals

• ·Preparation of press material according to topics, specifically regional, national and international emphases and interests

• Press information and CD's in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish

• Press conferences

• ·Internet site: www.world-spirits.com

• "World Spirits Guide"

• Road shows - "World Spirits on Tour"

• Joint exhibitions (fairs) and presentations upon request (costs and expenses to be borne by the participant)

• Presentation of World Spirits in different countries (only the products need to be made available)  

• World-Spirits Trophy for ürcatering (for top spirits culture) 

• General journalism on the subject of spirits (e.g. magazines on catering and the restaurant trade: tips on sensor technology and sales

4. The award ceremony for the "World Spirits Awards", medals and titles (diplomas) 

The award ceremony of distinctions will take place within the framework of a ceremonious event during the "World Spirits Festivals". Those to be honoured are:

• “Spirit of the Year”: title for the variety winners (which can also be groups, e.g. apple) with at least Double Gold (the granting of the award is based on the number of submissions per variety).

•  “World Spirits Awards”: title for the group winners (e.g. pomaceous fruit, stone fruit …) and category-winners (the granting of the award is based on the number of products and/or distilleries).

•  “Distillery of the Year”: the three best companies in the class-rating of every category will be awarded with medals and the title of "Distillery of the Year - Bronze or Silver", and the best company with the highest number of points will be awarded with the title "Distillery of the Year - Gold", as well as the "World Spirits Award".

 The international press will be invited to the presentation of the highlights of the industry and will be supplied with sufficient information during a press conference. The distilleries are also invited to answer the questions of journalists. 

Those invited to the "WSA" will be: 

• those from the print media (from daily, weekly and monthly newspapers, magazines ...)

• the electronic media (from television, radio and Internet)

 

5. Important information regarding the tasting and granting of awards

5.1 The deadlines 

A. Deadline for applications: November 15^th, 2007 

Until this date it is possible to register using the original registration form (by e-mail, fax or mail). 

B. Submission of samples: by December 15^th, 2007 

Samples arriving after this date can no longer be considered in competition. Unfortunately, they still have to be billed since the number of samples to be tested is limited. Payment has to be effected by January 1^st, 2008.

C. Tasting of the products submitted – from January 23^rd to January 27^th, 2008

5.2 The costs 

Benefits of the total marketing package of the "World Spirits Award" 

• Tasting of the products  

• Diploma with medal for awarded products

• Results of the company rating with precise description and points achieved

• One copy of the overall results as a PDF-file

• Publication on the Internet  

• Published in the „World-Spirits Online-Guide“ www.world-spirits-guide.com

• Company link in one of the categories, on the "world-spirits.com" site

• Publication in the "World Spirits Guide" (available in bookshops in Austria, Germany and Switzerland)

• Press material for the winners - preparation and mailing

• Trend-setting (coffee distillates, cigar brandies, spirits bars …)

• Invitation of the award-winners to the festive award ceremony of the "WSA" (max. 10 persons per submitting party)

• Stainless-steel plaque with the classification results

• Participation (table presentation) at the "World Spirits Festival" (four days: 9^th. – 12^th.3 2008) – obligatory- if the submitting party is unable to attend, a representative must be present! (the table must be occupied). We can willingly provide a hostess to look after your table for the duration of the fair.

• Photo session with the participants during the Festival for marketing purposes – the submitting parties will receive the photos free of charge

• Twenty copies of the "World Spirits Guide" 2009  

• “World-Spirits Trophy” ffor the best marketing, linked to profit 

• Rights to use the brand ”World-Spirits Award“ (these are defined)

Costs of submission per variety for the "World-Spirits Award 2008"

• First variety: 700 Euros (net) for one category or 300 Euros (net) per category (for multiple classifications and different brands produced by one distillery)

• Each additional variety: 150 Euros (net)

(The costs for exhibiting at the "World Spirits Festival" for the 4 days alone will amount to 500 Euros net!!)

Costs of the sensory analysis of the spirits during a tasting course (no connection to the "WSA")  

• Will be carried out during the tasting course 

• You will receive the points and oral description for the product (in German) 

• Tasting course Verkoster-Trainings Participants will have one product evaluated free of charge 
  

• Per variety: 70 Euros (net)

• Also with chemical analysis: 150 Euros (net)
  

There is a special registration form for this analysis which you can send along with the samples. 

The specified prices are quoted net, without 20 % VAT. If a VAT number is provided, we can invoice the amount to EU partners, without value-added tax. 

For countries outside the EU the amount is also invoiced on a net-value basis. Customs duties will possibly be charged. Declare the parcel as "sample consignment".  

Costs for table supervision 

If you are not able to participate personally – of course you can always choose to be represented by a colleague or business partner – we will be happy to provide a hostess who will supervise your table for you. Wenn Sie nicht die Möglichkeit der persönlichen Teilnahme – natürlich können Sie auch einen Geschäfts- oder Vertriebspartner wählen – vermitteln wir Ihnen gerne eine Messe-Hostesse für die Tischbetreuung. 

Costs: Four days, flat-rate (Sunday to Wednesday) net Euro 400.00 

What you need to know: 

• Send us in advance two bottles of each of your products to be presented 

• Feel free to send us other additional products 

• Price lists for private customers, the catering trade and retailers 

• Decoration and advertising materials 

• Information sheet for the fair hostess for the briefing 

• The bottles can unfortunately not be returned 

• These products remain with us after the event and are used for tasting courses and prize draws 

• Orders for this service must be received by February 1^st. at the latest! 

Medal labels for the bottles 

May we ask you to order the labels with your application for the awards ceremony. You have the opportunity of choosing what you order, e.g. you can order gold or double-gold labels (or world-class distillery label). Please therefore give the precise quantity required per product. Of course the order is only valid if the product is included among the medal winners you have selected. 

5.3 The jury 

The jury will be composed of experienced tasters from the spirits trade, as well as distillers. The individual teams will always be put together according to categories and will have experts added to them. The tasting will be guided by Wolfram Ortner, who will also be responsible for the entire organization and realization of the "WSA". A team of six assistants (experienced tasters and organizers) will be responsible for the organizational work during the tasting.

 

5.4 The rating scheme: The WOB system 

The rating will take place according to Wolfram Ortner's spirits rating system. This is a 100-point system specifically designed for spirits with five rating criteria.   

Evaluation form

A. Criteria: 

    1.        Fragrance – Typicality and intensity

This is where the aroma of a product and also the taste typical to its variety are being rated. 

What makes a fruit rate positively or negatively should be determined at the training of the tasters, for example a raspberry can have the taste of citrus fruit, hay, somewhat like marzipan, or simply typically fruity.  

It is by the taster's judgement that the product shall be classified, for example, as O.K. (o), or as very good (+).The excellent rating (++) should only be used to distinguish when more than 95 points have been reached. Each (+) of the spirits per category increases the points per category by one. The increase is realistic concerning fragrance, taste and harmony – the rating in the "purity" criteria should only be increased if a very extraordinary product is in question and 99 or even 100 points should be awarded.

2.    Fragrance - Purity, deficiencies

Here the deficiencies in aroma which negatively affect the results due to a lack of care during production and/or distillation are addressed. 

As soon as a product shows even a slight defect, it is to be rated with a (- -). If the product passes, then it is to be rated with a (+). In the case of doubt, a product can also be rated to the benefit of the submitting party with a (-) if the recognition of the deficiency is not 100% clear.

3.    Taste - Typicality and intensity

An intensive taste and the typical features of a variety, as well as the density and complexity of a product, are rated positively. "Weak" products or those that are not typical to their variety will be negatively rated. 

4.    Taste - Purity, deficiencies

Deficiencies in taste are addressed at this point.

5.    Harmony

The general harmony of fragrance, taste, alcohol (as well as wood or sugar) and the density of the spirits are used as a last criterion for the rating and round off the results.

 

B. The assignment of points per criterion

( -- -- )       Deficient            =          10 points
( -- )           Weak                =          13 points
( O )           Good                 =          16 points
( + )           Very good          =          19 points
( + + )        Exceptional        =          20 points

 

C. Rating scheme 

96 to 100 points:           Double-Gold      World class, extraordinary product
90 to 95 points:             Gold                 Top product
80 to 89 points:             Silver                Good to very good product
71 to 79 points:             Bronze              Average product
65 to 70 points:                                    Weak or slightly deficient product
under 65 points:                                    Deficient product

D. Written description 

All rating criteria are separately explained in writing for each distillate and presented to the submitting party in the form of a summary.
 

E. Publication 

All spirits rated at 71 points and above will be publicized – spirits rated under this level will not be publicized in order to not damage their companies. In the personal rating report, these results will be stated and sent to the submitting party.

5.5 The tasting procedure

5.5.1 Procedure of the tasting by categories 

Every spirit is always rated independently by three different teams (one line) - each team consists of two persons and produces a group rating. The average rating between the two groups is the scoring result for the tasted variety. In the case of specific products, such as whiskey, a team always consists of an expert for this category or group and one taster from the area of brandies. The expert guarantees the special expertise, the brandy taster the specifically fine sensory evaluation.  The individual teams are formed in such a way that there are always specialists doing the tasting according to variety. This way it is guaranteed that the rating is as objective as possible and shows credibility. After the rating of one variety and/or category is finished, the teams are regrouped in different combinations. 

The results on the two rating forms have to show almost identical ratings for the results to be accepted. The assistant will decide whether the spirits have to be tasted again. Above all, this applies to the following example: Team A has a Williams rated in the gold range and the second team (B) rates it in the bronze range. In this case, this Williams goes to another table (team C) for rating. If this rating lies in the bronze range, the rating of the first team (gold range) is deleted. If this rating lies in the gold range, the rating in the bronze range is deleted. If team C should give a rating in the silver range, two assistants will determine the result. 

If there is a tie between contestants at the top of a group, these products will be openly tasted again by two teams and a ranking established. In this case, tenths of points will then be assigned. If there are, for example, five 94-point spirits, then the best product has 94.4 points, the second 94.3 points, and so forth. Consequently, the WSA, or the title (e.g. “Spirits of The Year” - Williams) will be awarded to the product with the highest number of points (in this example, 94.4 points).

The order of the awarding procedure 

• Parallel tasting in two groups (group A and group B), each with two tasters and one assistant

• Tasting of individual samples

• Determining of group results

• Serving of four (covered) glasses each

      o        Handling of deviations:
o        Values A and B in the same category = average of A and B
o        Values A and B are in neighbouring categories = average of A and B
o        A and B difference > than one category = third judgement (group C)
o        A and C or B and C in the same category = average of the values in the same category
o        Value C in a category other than A or B = decision of assistants
o        Defective products will be re-tasted

 

The categories 

1.       Fruit brandies (fruit, wine, wild fruits, grain ...) - 100% distillates, without sugar, external alcohols and aromatic additives
In this group are all the products that fulfil the requirements and are also declared as such. 

1.1 Cigar brandies
1.2. Coffee distillates

2.    Fruit spirits/brandies (blended spirits from fruit, wine, wild fruits, grain ...) - with external alcohols and/or sugar added, as well as aromatic additives
All the fruit brandies which do not fall in the first category are in this group. However, there is a categorization according to a (protected) declaration of origin and/or trademarks

3.         Armagnac
4.         Brandy Jerez and other grape brandies
5.         Calvados
6.         Cognac
7.         Exotic (sake …)
8.         Gin
9.         Grappa
10.       Grain brandy and other grain products
11.       Herbal spirits (ouzo, pastis, absinthe, bitter aperitifs ...)
12.       Liqueurs
13.       Marc
14.       Rum
15.       Tequila
16.       Vodka
17.       Whiskey – Bourbon USA
18.       Whiskey - Irish
19.       Whiskey - Scotch
20.       Whiskey – all others
 

The individual categories are subdivided into groups which can be seen on the list stated in section 12. - Subject to alterations.

5.5.2 Procedure for the classification of distilleries   

All results of the "World-Spirits Award" 2004  

All results of the "World-Spirits Award" 2005  

This section concerns the rating of a distillery based on all their products. Using a brandy producer as an example, the requirements are: 

1.   The distiller must submit at least five products per category for the tasting of the different varieties. He can also submit products for several categories to be classified, for example, as a distillery for fruit brandy, whiskey and gin.

2.   The varieties (e.g. category fruit brandy) have to be registered and represented in at least three product groups, for example stone fruit (drupe), pomaceous fruit (pomes), berries, wild fruits, wine products or special varieties. The number of varieties (groups) and product groups differs, depending on the individual categories. The average in points of all the products per category is determined. for the classification 

4.   Distillery classification results from the mean value of the average points of all the varieties from a distillery and the sample with the highest number of points. 

5.   The three distilleries with the highest number of points per category are moreover awarded the title "World Spirits Distillery of the Year" in gold, silver and bronze. In the case of a tie in points, the next best result of a further group is always the decisive factor.
 

5.5.3. The rating system 

                World-Class Distillery: 92 to 100 points
                Master-Class Distillery: 90 to 91 points 
                First-Class Distillery: 85 to 89 points 
                Recommended Distillery: 80 to 84 points

      Categories gin and vodka: 

World-Class Distillery:         93 to 100 points
Master-Class Distillery:        91 to 92 points 
First-Class Distillery:           86 to 90 points 
Recommended Distillery:     81 to 85 points

      Herbal spirits and liqueurs: 

World-Class Distillery:         93 to 100 points
Master-Class Distillery:        91 to 92 points 
First-Class Distillery:           86 to 90 points 
Recommended Distillery:     81 to 85 points

 
6. What advantages result from the award as well as the medals won and classification distilleries?

We would like to inform you that the "World Spirits Award" is a protected trademark and that therefore the use of the "WSA" brand has to follow certain guidelines in order to be able to prevent and/or oppose possible abuse. 

Medals won and the "WSA" can of course be used in press material.

6.1 Winners of the awards or medals 

However, as soon as you use "WSA" or the medal on your product lists or price lists, you must order labels from us for the entire produced lot of the spirits. Only through this can it be guaranteed that there is no abuse suffered by the consumer. Consequently, the consumer can be assured that the actual product which was awarded by the organizer is actually in the bottle. 

Therefore, the brand can also be used for all advertising (print ads and so forth). By purchasing the labels, of course you have also paid a corresponding "license fee".  

There is also the possibility to print the sticker onto the labels. Concerning this, we request that you contact us so that we can make an individual offer to you.

6.2 Classified distilleries 

Distilleries which have been classified can also use this rating for their press material, advertising texts, etc. 

Adhesive labels for the bottles are available referring to the achieved category of the award; the classification can also be printed on your labels. 

In both of these cases, the ranking of the qualification can be printed on all of the adhesive labels, or on all of your labels. Regarding this, we request to be contacted so we can make a binding offer for the entire annual output. 

Should you be unsure about whether the usage of the trademark corresponds to the guidelines, we do request to be contacted, so we can confirm the clearance if applicable.  

Order form medal stickers

 

7. The approved products and/or distilleries 

In principle, only those products which are also sold on the market are allowed – in other words, the products available to the consumer at any given time and corresponding to the general legal rules of their country of origin. 

Spirits are admitted in the form corresponding to the legal rules of their respective countries, however, EU regulation 1586/89 is of overriding validity. The information on the registration form about sugar, for example, must be accurate. Only in the case of fruit distillates are two groups rated separately: 

1.   Fruit brandies (pure distillates without external alcohol, added aroma or sugar)