World-Spirits Award Zahlen

With "World Spirits", a new proprietary trademark was brought into the world of spirits in 2004. Behind this is a comprehensive marketing concept and an organization with the goal of improving the international culture of spirits and the classification of distilleries. The spectrum of activities is wide – from the thorough training of a jury and organization of the ratings to the accompanying PR measures.

The name of the trademark is new – but the team behind it is well-known. Wolfram Ortner, who already made his name in the spirits industry with a high-quality event, is organizing the "World Spirits Award", the "World Spirits Festival" and the "World Spirits Academy" in collaboration with an experienced and professional team.

"World Spirits" is based on the highest of claims, which can be expressed in the words of Oscar Wilde: "I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best" …

Registration (irrevocable) with number of varieties: Registration
by November 15^th, 2007

Registration form with detailed specification of varieties:
by December 15^th, 2007

Orders for the World Spirits classification and/or medal labels: Order-Form medal stickers
by March 17^th, 2008

World Spirits Award & Festival
by Wolfram Ortner

Though a lot of tastings and prize-awarding events on a national basis are able to attract responsive participation, the desired economic success was however often missed by the participating companies. The "World Spirits Award" is fundamentally different from this, since not only individual varieties and products are awarded, but a classification of companies which is allowing the consumer real market appraisal is also carried out. National tastings and prize awards should be considered as a pre-elimination or rather position-fixing of the individual distilleries prior to the "World Spirits Award".

The "World Spirits" organization is seeking intensive cooperation with regional and national organizers, and organizations and institutions (involving cognac, whiskey, and so forth) and is thereby interested in attracting experts for the jury who could carry out the training of tasters for the "World Spirits Academy". A requirement for inclusion on the jury is the successful completion of the “World-Spirits” Tasting Course (more on this under www.world-spirits.com >Academy).

In March, the "World Spirits Award" and "World Spirits Festival" will commence, with the emphasis on fruit brandies, fruit liquors, cigar brandies and coffee brandies. Furthermore, all the other categories will of course also be represented and therefore every distillery can participate with their own products. Awards will be granted to classical spirits only (including liqueurs for the first time) – taking into account traditional types of production.

In order to be able to offer a top-class presentation of international distilleries to the visitors of the "World Spirits Festival", it is from the marketing point of view absolutely necessary that the medal-winning producers are present as exhibitors during the four festival days (see timetable) – therefore the participation is obligatory! This is according to the motto: "First the music is played and then the visitors begin to dance, if they are inspired by the music – and not the other way around!"

1. Class rating of distilleries (World Class Distillery...)

The "WSA" is a classification of distilleries (e.g. brandy, whiskey, rum, cognac …) into the following categories:

      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

Analysis with "GC" in accordance with Codex - Chapter B 23 (alcohol, total ester, fermentation by-products, extract, hydrocyanic acid)

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

All results of the "World-Spirits Award" 2006

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

      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

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)

2. Fruit spirits with added external alcohol and sugar (blended products)

Should a product be submitted under the category of fruit brandy, for example, and later on it turns out that sugar was added, then this variety will be eliminated from the rating and will not be reclassified among fruit spirits! Therefore, pay attention to the information submitted with the registration.

At the time when the prizes are awarded, there must be at least 20 litres of the product available, ready to be bottled and sold, which will also be controlled by the organizers.

Only those spirits which are also available on the market may be submitted. During registration, the precise batch and vintage has to be stated, the same way it is declared for retail sale (if it is indicated on the label at all).

A product that was already awarded with a distinction must not be submitted again for rating - this applies to the same vintage and batch.

In order to guarantee the safety of the classified product for the consumer, the products submitted must correspond to the products sold.

Fractions are not permitted.
If there are no additional specifications for a variety, the sample submitted is deemed to correspond with the annual production of the respective variety (type of fruit), and the contents of all bottles sold must be identical. Only the lot number will be considered.
Special designations on the label are permitted (World Spirits, Reserve, Superior, etc.). However, the above-stated rule applies as well: the quantity submitted and the quantity sold throughout the year must me identical.
Subsequent controls will only be based on the vintage or lot number – other lot number will be automatically considered “non-identical” and penalized accordingly.

8. Registration

Only completely filled-out registration forms which are corresponding to the guidelines are processed. The registration has to be e-mailed, faxed or sent, and an original copy enclosed in the cartons of the submitted products.

Registration


Registration forms	Rules

9. The submitting and sending of samples

The dispatch of the samples must be done at the expense of the submitting party – this also applies to possible costs incurred by customs duties and/or import charges. Should we be charged customs duties, these costs will be passed on to the submitting party and have to be paid punctually within the specified period of time for payment, together with the tasting costs.

The shipment must be in stable cartons and the individual bottles have to be safely packed in order to prevent possible breaking. Do mark the cartons with "fragile" and send them as "sample consignment".

For every submitted variety, there are two 0.5-liter bottles or three 0.35-liter bottles required in their original packaging, meaning original bottles with original labels, as those intended for retail sale.

Should the samples arrive after the deadline for submitting (January 15^th), they unfortunately cannot be considered anymore.

10. The publication of the results

Before the official awarding of the "World Spirits Award" prize, no information on the results can be released. This applies both to the participating companies and to the press, along with other interested parties.

The results will be disclosed to the press and the winners during a press conference immediately preceding the award ceremony. After the official awarding of the prizes, the results will also be placed on the Internet and distributed to the press by e-mail.

On the following day, there will also be up-to-date pictures available for downloading under the heading of "Press" on the www.worldspiritsaward.com website.

The certificates accompanying the medals and the personal results will be sent by mail immediately after the awarding of the prizes.

Should the submitting parties be present at the award ceremony of the "WSA", they can pick up the medals and so forth at the information booth after the official ceremony. However in this case, we must be informed that you will be present at the "WSA", so they are not sent beforehand.

11. General issues regarding the "World Spirits Award"

With the submitting and the legally binding signature, the submitting party or the distillery completely agrees in full with the general terms and conditions of the "WSA".

12. Categories, groups and varieties

The registration form for the “World-Spirits Award” can be found in the Internet under
www.world-spirits.com – we would also be happy to mail you the details: office@world-spirits.com


Registration forms	Rules

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

Abbreviation	Variety	Group	Category
APFB	Apple general	KERB	OBB
APSB	Apple single variety	KERB	OBB
BIRS	Pear	KERB	OBB
BISB	Pear single variety	KERB	OBB
BIHB	Pear wood aged	KERB	OBB
BEEB	Berries	BERB	OBB
BIEB	Beer	GETB	OBB
BIHB	Beer wood aged	GETB	OBB
BROB	Blackberry	BERB	OBB
GTEB	Grain/Malt	GETB	OBB
HEFB	Yeast (wine based)	HEFB	OBB
HEHB	Yeast (wine based) wood aged	HEFB	OBB
HIMB	Raspberry	BERB	OBB
KIRB	Cherry	STEB	OBB
KIHB	Cherry wood aged	STEB	OBB
KRIB	Damassine/Plum - damson	STEB	OBB
MARB	Apricot	STEB	OBB
MAHB	Apricot wood aged	STEB	OBB
MIRB	Yellow plum	STEB	OBB
OBSB	Fruit brandy - fruit blends	KERB	OBB
OBBB	Berry Cuvées	BERB	OBB
OBHB	Fruit brandy wood aged	KERB	OBB
PFIB	Peach	STEB	OBB
PFLB	Plum	STEB	OBB
QUIB	Quince	KERB	OBB
RISB	Black current	BERB	OBB
SCHB	Blueberry	BERB	OBB
TRAB	Grape	VINB	OBB
TBHB	Grapewood aged	VINB	OBB
TREB	Marc	VINB	OBB
TRHB	Marc wood aged	VINB	OBB
VOGB	Rowanberry	BERB	OBB
WEIB	Sour cherry	STEB	OBB
WILB	Williams pear	KERB	OBB
WIHB	Williams pear wood aged	KERB	OBB
ZWEB	Plum	STEB	OBB
0000	Other 100% distillates

1.1. Cigar brandies - only 100% distillate (see Category 1) wood aged

Requirements for cigar distillates – distillates that go well with cigars: 100% distillate, high density, intense aroma, a sweet essence, matured in a wooden barrel (recommended), higher alcoholic contents (c. 50% vol), good overall balance of the product and a perfect marriage with cigars.

Abbreviation	Variety	Group	Category
ZIOB	Fruits	ZIGG	OBB
ZIWB	Grapes	ZIGG	OBB
ZIGB	Grain	ZIGG	OBB
ZIDB	All others	ZIGG	OBB

1.2. Coffee brandies - only 100% distillate (see Category 1) wood aged

Requirements for coffee distillates: 100% distillate, high density, intense aroma, a high degree of sweetness from the extract or wood, good overall balance of the product and a perfect marriage with coffee.

Abbreviation	Variety	Group	Category
KAOB	Fruits	KAFG	OBB
KAWB	Grapes	KAFG	OBB
KAGB	Grain	KAFG	OBB
KADB	All others	KAFG	OBB

The groups: Kernobst (KERB), Steinobst (STEB), Beerenobst (BERB), Trauben- bzw. Wein (VINB), Wildfrüchte (WILB), Getreide (GETB), Kaffee-Destillate (KAFG), Zigarren-Destillate (ZIGG), Sondersorten (SONB).

In the categories 1 OBB and 2 OBS, we distinguish or group by exact variety (e.g. apple – Jonathan) within the species (apple) and the family (pome), so please enter the exact variety with its species and family on the application.

The listed varieties are a selection only - should the variety you would like to enter not be among them, please list them in your application form as "diverse / other varieties" and list the group instead of an abbreviation.

Grappe or whiskeys - as long as they fit the rules for category 1 - may also be entered in the category OBB. In this case, you would be listed among the marcs or korns.

Requirements for:
Distillery qualification: submission of at least 5 products within three groups
Award: at least 20 products within one group
Title ”Spirits of the Year”: at least 5 products for one variety or group
Title “Distillery of the Year”: at least 20 distilleries within the category

2. Fruit spirits/brandies - blends from fruit, wine, wild fruits, grain (with external alcohols and/or sugar added, as well as aromatic additives)

Abbreviation	Variety	Group	Category
APFS	Apple general	KERS	OBS
APSS	Apple single variety	KERS	OBS
BIRS	Pear	KERS	OBS
BISS	Pear single variety	KERS	OBS
BIHS	Pear wood aged	KERS	OBS
BEES	Berries	BERS	OBS
BIES	Beer	GETS	OBS
BIHS	Beer wood aged	GETS	OBS
BROS	Blackberry	BERS	OBS
GTES	Grain/Malt	GETS	OBS
HEFS	Yeast (wine based)	HEFS	OBS
HEHS	Yeast (wine based) wood aged	HEFS	OBS
HIMS	Raspberry	BERS	OBS
KIRS	Cherry	STES	OBS
KIHS	Cherrywood aged	STES	OBS
KRIS	Damassine/Plum - damson	STES	OBS
MARS	Apricot	STES	OBS
MAHS	Apricot wood aged	STES	OBS
MIRS	Yellow plum	STES	OBS
OBSS	Fruit brandy - fruit blends	KERS	OBS
OBBS	Berry-Cuvées	BERS	OBS
OBHS	Fruit brandy wood aged	KERS	OBS
PFIS	Peach	STES	OBS
PFLS	Plum	STES	OBS
QUIS	Quince	KERS	OBS
RISS	Black current	BERS	OBS
SCHS	Blueberry	BERS	OBS
TRAS	Grape	VINS	OBS
TBHS	Grape wood aged	VINS	OBS
TRES	Marc	VINS	OBS
TRHS	Marc wood aged	VINS	OBS
VOGS	Rowanberry	BERS	OBS
WEIS	Sour cherry	STES	OBS
WILS	Williams pear	KERS	OBS
WIHS	Williams pear wood aged	KERS	OBS
ZWES	Plum	STES	OBS
CLA	Low alcohol/Mix Spirits fruit based	CLAG	OBS
0	Other Products

The groups: Kernobst (KERS), Steinobst (STES), Beerenobst (BERS), Trauben- bzw. Wein (VINS), Wildfrüchte (WILS), Sondersorten (SONS)

3. Cognac

Abbreviation	Variety	Group	Category
CVS	Cognac VS (2 yrs. and older)	CVSG	COG
COP	Cognac VSOP 4 yrs. and older)	COPG	COG
CXO	Cognac XO (6 yrs. and older)	CXOG	COG
CEA	Cognac aged (11 yrs. and older)	CEAG	COG
COA	Cognac extra aged (12 yrs. and older)	CEAG	COG
CLA	Low alcohol/Mix Spirits Cognac based	CLAG	COG
0	Other Cognacs