The two events share the name "World Spirits Award," but they differ significantly in their origins, philosophy, organization, and focus. Here's a detailed comparison:
1. Origin and History
| World Spirits Award (WSA) | World Spirits Award China |
|---|
| Founded: 2004 by Wolfram Ortner, an Austrian distiller and visionary. The WSA is an established competition with over 20 years of tradition and international renown. |
Founded: Relatively new, likely an independent initiative without direct connection to the original WSA. |
| Location: Based in Austria, with events in Europe and a global participant base. |
Location: Primarily focused on China and the Asian market. |
| Philosophy: Promotes quality, innovation, and transparency in the spirits industry. Aims to evaluate and showcase distilleries and their products on a global level. |
Philosophy: Focus on the Asian market, potentially emphasizing the promotion of local producers and brands. |
| Independence: WSA is independent and not influenced by commercial interests of large corporations or associations. |
Independence: Likely more closely tied to local government bodies or industry associations. |
2. Evaluation System
| World Spirits Award (WSA) | World Spirits Award China |
|---|
| Jury Training: All judges are trained at the World Spirits Academy. Only certified experts are allowed to evaluate products. |
Jury Training: Details about jury qualifications are not publicly available. Likely lacks standardized procedures. |
| Evaluation System: The WOB-System (World of Spirits System) uses symbols and clear criteria (aroma, taste, balance, etc.) to ensure objective and transparent results. |
Evaluation System: Evaluation methodology is unclear, likely based on standard approaches. |
| Transparency: Results are published with detailed descriptions in German and English, providing clear insights for producers and consumers. |
Transparency: Evaluation details are not transparent or publicly accessible. |
3. International Recognition
| World Spirits Award (WSA) | World Spirits Award China |
|---|
| Reputation: Known globally for its rigor, transparency, and independence. |
Reputation: Primarily focused on the Asian market; less recognized internationally. |
| Target Audience: Global spirits producers, from boutique distilleries to large-scale manufacturers. |
Target Audience: Primarily Asian producers and brands. |
| Results and Reach: Published in the World Spirits Guide, WSA Spirits Finder, apps, and international media. |
Results and Reach: Likely distributed regionally. |
4. Product Focus
| World Spirits Award (WSA) | World Spirits Award China |
|---|
| Variety: Covers a wide range of categories, including gin, whisky, rum, fruit brandies, tequila, vodka, liqueurs, and more. |
Variety: Categorization unclear; likely focused on Asian spirits like Baijiu and local specialties. |
| Distillery Classification: Offers unique "Distillery of the Year" classification. |
Distillery Classification: No comparable classification known. |
5. Innovation and Education
| World Spirits Award (WSA) | World Spirits Award China |
|---|
| Innovation: Produces video content (YouTube, IWS.tv) like "Inside World Spirits," showcasing the spirits world. |
Innovation: No comparable content or platforms known. |
| Education: The World Spirits Academy trains professionals to raise industry standards. |
Education: No comparable training programs available. |
Conclusion
The World Spirits Award by Wolfram Ortner stands for quality, transparency, and a long tradition. With its unique evaluation system and global reach, it is a benchmark in the spirits industry.
The World Spirits Award China is a younger initiative targeting the Asian market. While it may have regional significance, it lacks the international recognition and comprehensive standards that distinguish Ortner's WSA.
Recommendation
Producers aiming for global recognition should choose the World Spirits Award (Brand by Wolfram Ortner). It offers a premium platform to showcase the quality and diversity of products on an international stage.
