Lyng Norwegian Botanical Gin bags a Double gold, Gin of the Year, Spirit of the Year award, and Spirit of the Year (By Package), among other award winners at the 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards

The Bartender Spirits Awards hosted by Beverage Trade Network provides a riveting space for Spirit brands to be assessed by well-known bartenders, mixologists, and bar managers from across the United States. The awards are solely focused on the purchasing needs of on-premise restaurants while also providing winners with a mark of excellence in the bar industry. The Bartender Spirits Awards winners are recognized and appreciated far beyond the on-premise sector in the United States. Bartender Spirits Awards provide distillers and brand owners, with a platform who are looking to increase their distribution in the US. 

The spirits are evaluated by top Bartenders, On-Premise Buyers, and Bar Managers from around the world. These industry professionals judge the spirits with the aim to provide independent and honest reviews for brands targeting the US on-premise trade.

This year's judges' panel at the 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards includes some of the most reputed bartenders; Zachary Taylor, Bartender at 83 Proof, San Francisco; Juyoung Kang, Lead Bartender at Zouk Group, Las Vegas, NV; Mark Roa, Bartender at Lost & Found Cocktail Bar, and Bar Manager at Neck of the Woods Bar & Club; Zachary Faden, Lead Bartender & Manager at Brasserie Liberté, Washington DC; Jessica Schjavland, Bartender at San Pedro Square Market Bar;  Ash Miyasaki, Bar Manager at Bar Henry; Adam ‘Boots’ Brogan, Bar Manager at Louie’s Bar, San Francisco and Owner of The Bootsy Company; and Shirley Brooks, Bartender at Madrone Art Bar, San Francisco. 

The spirits are scored on the basis of the following criteria: M (Mixability Score) + B (Balance and Versatility) + T ((Taste, Mouthfeel, and Finish) Score) + Package Score (P) + Value Score (V) = Bartenders Spirits Awards Final Score.

This year approximately 50 countries participated in the competition, more than 950 samples were submitted and around 20 categories were sampled by the USA’s top bartenders and bar owners. 

First, each category is given a score out of 100, and then each stage of the judging process is given a distinct weighted score. The scores are then added up to grant a final score from which individual prizes are awarded.

Medals are awarded to spirits that meet specific judging criteria to identify spirits that can be added to bar inventory. The best-performing spirits are awarded double gold, gold, silver, and bronze medals based on the following criteria: flavor, packaging, and pricing.

Here are the top winners of the 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards:

-Spirit of the Year: Lyng Norwegian Botanical Gin

-Distillery of the Year: Rémy Martin XO

-Best Value of the Year: Denizen Vatted Dark Rum

-Best Package of the Year: Lyng Norwegian Botanical Gin

-Liqueur of the Year: Jules Theuriet Pamplemousse Liqueur

-Gin of the Year: Lyng Norwegian Botanical Gin

-Vodka of the Year: Port of Entry Vodka

-Tequila of the Year: Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Extra Anejo

-World Whisky of the Year: Armorik French Single Malt Yeun Elez

-Brandy/ Cognac of the Year: Rémy Martin XO

-Rum of the Year: Denizen Vatted Dark Rum

The full list of medal winners can be viewed on the Bartender Spirits Awards website.