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

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 

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: 96 to 100 points
Master-Class Distillery: 94 to 95 points 
First-Class Distillery: 90 to 93 points 
Recommended Distillery: 85 to 89 points

Herbal spirits and liqueurs:

       World-Class Distillery:               95,5 to 100 points
       Master-Class  Distillery:            93,5 to 95,4 points
       First-Class  Distillery:                89,5 to 93,4 points
       Recommended  Distillery:          84,5 to 89,4 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.

• We also need an original label in each case (can also be e-mailed digitally), and the retail and trade prices of all products submitted for participation need to be listed in the application form.   

• For press activities and publication in the "World-Spirits" media we need a selection of photos (in digital form on CD, if possible) and information material (folders, press articles, press releases, etc.) about your company – as well as the fully completed "World-Spirits" questionnaire.

 

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".