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A Tough Showdown Among Brown Spirits
The Spiritz Achievers’ Awards successfully concluded its blind tasting sessions with the brown spirits category. The two-day long exercise, from September 5-6 at Radisson Blu, Sector 29, Gurugram, brought together an impressive array of both domestic and international brands across rum, brandy, blended whisky and single malts. Spiritz took the initiative to give this platform to no-alcohol drinks too.
What unfolded was a powerful showcase of industry innovation and the Awards’ commitment to providing a credible, unbiased platform that celebrates craftsmanship and sets benchmarks for quality in the alcobev industry.
Meet the Jury
One of the defining features of the Spiritz Selection Awards is its esteemed jury. Like previous years, this year’s panel united industry leaders, hospitality veterans and spirits specialists carefully selected to comply with transparency and globally set standards, bolstering the credibility and integrity of the awards.
Shobhan Roy, Director General of the All-India Brewers Association, lent the session his long-standing experience in brewing and distilling standards. He was joined by Amarjit Singh Ahuja, Director of Purchase at Le Méridien New Delhi and Sumit Bansal, GM, Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram, contributed the hospitality perspective. Rifaquat Ali Khan Mirza, CEO, The Works (Hospisive Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd.), emphasised wellness-driven and market-ready concepts. Bar craft was brought to the table by Sandy Verma, Founder of Institute of Bar Operations and Management
Other jurors included alcobev expert Dhiraj Kapur; Kama KM, Founder of The Drinking Safari and The Big Bhang Theory; Kunal Kaul, Cofounder of Grape Xpectations and a WSET - certified educator; Deepak Rawat, Hotel Manager with the Indian Hotels Company Ltd.; mixologist and beverage consultant Akash Tomar; industry expert Manmeet Kaur and beverages experts, Ravi Punia and Aparajit Shankar. Overseeing the exercise was Bishan Kumar, Editor-inChief of Spiritz Magazine, who ensured that the tasting remained true to the magazine’s reputation for integrity.
Pre-judging Calibration
Before the tasting commenced, the jury gathered for a structured alignment session focused on brown spirits. The calibration session was conducted by alcobev expert & Spiritz Consulting Editor, Sarang Kumar, who briefed judges on the scoring methodology and sensory benchmarks specific to this category. Emphasis was placed on evaluating attributes such as oak influence, depth of aroma, palate structure, finish, and overall balance.
This exercise ensured that while each judge’s palate brought individuality, there was a common framework for assessment. The alignment minimised variations in interpretation, fostering consistency and fairness across the panel. By setting clear expectations in advance, the process reinforced the credibility of the competition, ensuring that every entry—be it an established label or a new-age craft expression—was evaluated on equal and transparent grounds.
The Tasting Process
The tasting of brown spirits opened on September 5 with an eclectic lineup. Rums followed on the table with brandies and a new generation of no-alcohol alternatives that reflected a growing consumer appetite for mindful drinking. The following day was reserved for whiskies, from versatile blends to prized single malts.
As the tastings progressed, the jurors engaged in thoughtful and detailed discussions, dissecting every subtle nuance of each competing drink. When they finally reached their conclusions, they recorded their scores digitally onto the tablets. This streamlined the process while cutting out paper, reflecting Spiritz’s commitment to sustainability.
Recognising Excellence
The two-day session for brown spirits was more than a competition; it was an affirmation that blind tasting remains the most honest way to recognise excellence, the results of which will be revealed at the Spiritz Achievers’ Awards on October 29, 2025.
The high number of participation this year reflects the growing trust Spiritz Achievers’ Awards commands within the alcobev sphere. The awards not only encourage healthy competition but also raise the bar for quality and innovation across the alcobev industry.