Emperor Rum is made of aged traditional rums stemming from the distillation of pure and fresh sugarcane juice and molasses. The result is an astounding richness of colors and a complex assembly of flavors: fresh-squeezed sugarcane, exotic fruits, and flowers finished by pepper and spices in the typical Mauritian tradition. This edition is an invitation to sophistication and the fine art of living. 

A subtle note of vanilla and a warm consistency create a perfect balance in the mouth. Its powerful character is at once lingering and delicate. The woody and caramelized aromas blend together with hints of dried fruits, vanilla, grilled almonds, and spices. The rum ends with a subtle smoky finish. The nose has sustained vegetal notes of forest floor and flowery fragrances with dominant aromas of oak, vanilla, grilled almond, caramelized fruits, and hints of spices.

“Candied lemon peel, orange, cream, and green banana shape the nose. Caramel laden on the palate with layers of toffee and molasses” as per the judges of the competition. 

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The rum impressed judges with its quality for the price.

More than 49 countries participated in the 2021 competition making it the most diverse competition so far for USA Spirits Ratings. The top countries to enter were the United States, France, Mexico, United Kingdom, and the top categories were Whiskey, Tequila, Gin, Vodka, and Rum.

Barr Hill Gin was awarded “best spirit of the year” with 98 points. The Gin comes from Caledonia Spirits.

Here are the highlights:

Spirit of the year: Barr Hill Gin, United States

Distillery of the year: Caledonia Spirits, United States

Best Spirit by Quality: Barr Hill Gin, United States

Best Spirit by Value: Emperor Heritage Rum, Mauritius

Best Spirit by Package: The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, United Kingdom

Vodka of the year: Hangar 1 Buddha's Hand Citron, United States

Rum of the year: Puerto Angel Anejo, Mexico

Tequila of the year: Teremana Tequila Reposado, Mexico

Gin of the year: Barr Hill Gin, United States

Whiskey of the year: Uncle Nearest 1820 Premium Single Barrel Whiskey - US-53, United States

Absinthe of the year: La Fée Parisienne Absinthe Supérieurem, France

Cognac of the year: COGNAC MAXIME TRIJOL XO GRANDE CHAMPAGNE, France

Brandy of the year: Brandy Sainte Louise, France

Liqueur of the year: Muyu Vetiver Gris, Netherlands

View full results here.

The USA Spirits Ratings looks to recognize, reward, and help promote spirits brands that have successfully been created to identify with and target a specific spirits drinker. For any spirits brand to earn its place on a retailer’s shelf or a restaurant’s spirits list -  and then vitally stay there - they need to be marketable and consumer-driven and not just produced in the general hope it can find enough people willing to sell and buy it.

2021 USA Spirits Ratings Winners

That is why the USA Spirits Ratings are different. It singles out and shines the spotlight on those spirits brands that consumers really want to buy and have a clear market value for trade buyers.

A Competition that judges spirits in three key areas:

- Their quality

- Their value for money

- What they look like

To be an award winner you will need to have top-quality spirits that offer both the trade and the consumer great value for money, and you will need to look good and truly stand out on the shelf and on the back bar.

Judging criteria 

To win a USA Spirits Ratings award you will need to score highly in all three areas of our judging criteria. That is why the USA spirits Ratings will be decided based on the following judging formula: Q (Quality Score) + Value Score (V) + Package Score (P) = USA Spirits Ratings Score.

Quality Score: will be marked out of 100 

Value Score: will be marked out of 100 

Package Score: will be marked out of 100 

A separate weighted score will be given for each of the three parts of the judging process (Quality gets twice the weight). 

Gold: to receive a Gold medal you need to score 90 or over. 

Silver: you need to score between 80-89. 

Bronze: you need to score between 70-79. 

The USA Spirits Ratings was assessed and judged by a leading panel of top-level spirits buyers with current direct commercial buying responsibility.

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