Announcing the Winners of the 6th Annual New York International Spirits Competition!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our sixth incredible year in Manhattan!

The 6th Annual NYISC Took Place on November 7th, 2012 in New York City

New York, NY (Nov 7, 2015) – In its 6th year, the New York International Spirits Competition (“NYISC”) was held at 3 West Club on November 7th to taste, evaluate, and judge almost 500 of the world’s best-distilled spirits — a double-digit increase from last year’s submissions. Over 35 countries submitted their brands to be critiqued by a hand-selected panel of A-List and key TRADE ONLY judges – buyers, retail storeowners, restaurant/bar proprietors, distributors, and importers — those that have the unique ability to make a direct impact on sales.

The NYISC is truly an international spirits competition, and has created new categories as the spirits world continues to evolve. The number of international whiskey producers continues to grow at an incredible rate, and as a result the NYISC has created (on advice from trade buyers and judges) the “American Single Malt” and “International Single Malt” categories.

“This year’s significant increase in submissions is a clear sign that the industry truly recognizes and appreciates NYISC’s overall philosophy of judging for real sales impact,” says Adam Levy, founder of the NYISC. While other renowned competitions prize up to 85% of entrants with awards, the discerning panel and ethos of the NYISC is to honor the brands that are most deserving among their peers.  This year, NYISC prized only 46% of its entrants.

The New York International Spirits Competition is part of the International Beverage Competitions Group founded by Adam Levy, the “Alcohol Professor.” International Beverage Competitions includes the New York International Wine Competition on May 17th 2016, Berlin International Spirits Competition being held February 21st 2016, and the Melbourne International Spirits Competition being held July 3rd 2016.

The 7th Annual New York International Competition will be held October 22-23rd in New York….Mark your calendar!

Absinthe Distillery of the Year
Mt. Defiance Distillery

Bloody Mary Mix of the Year
Taste of Florida Bloody Mary Mix

Organic Bloody Mary Mix
Tres Agaves Bloody Mary Mix

Flavored Bourbon of the Year
Knob Creek Smoked Maple

Pina Colada Mixer of the Year
Taste of Florida Pina Colada

Solera Bourbon of the Year
Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Bourbon

Soju of the Year
Yobo Soju

Best Value Rum of the Year
Shellback Rum

Best Value Rye of the Year
Knob Creek Rye

Pre Mixed Manhattan of the Year
Jefferson Barrel Finished Manhattan

Vodka of the Year-Distilled from Coconut Nectar
Green Palm Vodka

Alabama

Alabama Distillery of the Year
John Emerald Distilling

ARKANSAS

Arkansas Distillery of the Year
Rock Town Distillery

Arizona 

Arizona Distillery of the Year
Hamilton Distillers

California

California Distillery of the Year
Ballast Point Distillery

Colorado

Colorado Distillery of the Year
Breckenridge Distillery

Colorado Gin Distillery of the Year
Anvil Distillery

Colorado Rum Distillery of the Year
Sangre Distilleries

FLORIDA

Florida Distillery of the Year
Key West Distilling

Illinois

Chicago Distillery of the Year
CH Distillery

INDIANA

Indiana Distillery of the Year
Hotel Tango Distillery

Iowa

Iowa Distillery of the Year
Cedar Ridge Distillery

Iowa Moonshine Distillery of the Year
Artisan Grain Distillery

Kentucky

Kentucky Rum Distillery of the Year
Wilderness Trail Distillery

LOUISIANA

Louisiana Gin Distillery of the Year
Atelier Vie

Louisiana Rum Distillery of the Year
Louisiana Spirits

MASSACHUSETTS 

Massachusetts Rum Distillery of the Year
Astraluna Distillery

MICHIGAN

Michigan Vodka Distillery of the Year
Long Road Distillers

MINNESOTA

Minnesota Distillery of the Year
Bent Brewstillery

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Distillery of the Year
Great Notch Distillery

NEW YORK

Apple Vodka Distillery of the Year
Tuthilltown Spirits

New York City Distillery of the Year
Breuckelen Distilling

New York Corn Vodka of the Year

Bootlegger 21 Vodka

New York Rye Distillery of the Year
Coppersea Distillery

New York Whiskey Distillery of the Year
Hillrock Estate Distillery

NEVADA

Nevada Distillery of the Year
Frey Ranch Estate Distillery

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Distillery of the Year
Durham Distillery

North Carolina Vodka Distillery of the Year
Piedmont Distillery

OHIO

Ohio Distillery of the Year
Flat Rock Spirits

OREGON

Oregon Distillery of the Year
Rogue Distillery

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Gin Distillery of the Year
Bluebird Distilling

Pennsylvania Whiskey Distillery of the Year
New Liberty Distillery

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island Distillery of the Year
Sons of Liberty

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina Vodka Distillery of the Year
Charleston Distilling Co.

South Carolina Whiskey Distillery of the Year
Palmetto Distillery

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Distillery of the Year
Thunder Road Distillery

Tennessee Vodka Distillery of the Year
Big River Distilling Company

TEXAS

Texas Distillery of the Year
Balcones

Texas Moonshine Distillery of the Year
Ironroot Republic

UTAH

Utah Distillery of the Year
Beehive Distilling

VERMONT

Vermont Distillery of the Year
Stonecutter Spirits

VIRGINIA

Central Virginia Distillery of the Year
Belle Isle Craft Spirits

Virginia Moonshine Distillery of the Year
Ko Distilling

Virginia Rum Distillery of the Year
Old House Vineyards

WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington DC Distillery of the Year
One Eight Distilling

WASHINGTON STATE

Washington Gin Distillery of the Year
Scratch Distillery

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Distillery of the Year
J. Henry & Sons

WYOMING

Wyoming Distillery of the Year
Backwards Distilling Company

AUSTRALIA

Australia Gin Distillery of the Year
The Westwinds Distillery

Australia Old Tom Distillery of the Year
Kangaroo Spirits

AUSTRIA

Austria Distillery of the Year
Monopolowa

BRAZIL

Cachaca of the Year
Rio do Engenho Reserva

BULGARIA

Bulgaria Vodka of the Year
Flirt Vodka

CANADA

Canada Distillery of the Year
Domaine Pinnacle

CARIBBEAN

Caribbean Rum Distillery of the Year
Damoiseau

Caribbean Rum Producer of the Year
Mezan

CHILE

Chile Liqueur of the Year
MQI

CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Distillery of the Year
R. Jelinek

DENMARK

Denmark Liqueur of the Year
Mjodbryggeriet Petersen & Sonner

EL SALVADOR

El Salvador Rum of the Year
Ron Cihuatan Solera 8

ENGLAND

London Distillery of the Year
Portobello Road

FINLAND

Finland Liqueur Distillery of the Year
Kulinaario

FRANCE

Calvados Distillery of the Year
Boulard

Best New Cognac Brand of the Year
Augier

France Coffee Liqueur of the Year
Meukow Xpresso

Cognac XO Producer of the Year
Bache Gabrielsen

Cognac VSOP Producer of the Year
Grand Domaines

France Vodka of the Year
Ciroc

France Wheat Vodka of the Year
Bourge Noble Vodka

GERMANY

Germany Gin Distillery of the Year
Rheinland Distillers

Germany Liqueur Distillery of the Year
HirschRudel

IRELAND

Best Value Irish Whisky of the Year
2 Gingers Irish Whisky

Best Irish Whisky Brand of the Year
The Irishman

Best Irish Single Malt Whisky of the Year
Egan’s 10 Yr Single Malt

ISRAEL

Israel Distillery of the Year
Kawar

ITALY

Italy Liqueur of the Year
Disaranno

MEXICO

Anejo Tequila of the Year
Cruz Tequila Anejo

Blanco Tequila of the Year
Familia Camarena Tequila Silver

Mezcal of the Year
Mezcal Mala Idea-Cuishe

NORWAY

Norway Distillery of the Year
Arcus

PERU

Pisco Distillery of the Year
Pisco Viejo Tonel

PORTUGAL

Portugal Liqueur of the Year
Licor Beirao

SCOTLAND

Best Islay Single Malt over 15 year
Bunnahabin 18yr

Best Value Scotch Blend of the Year
Glengarry

Best Blended Scotch Brand of the Year
Dewars

Best Blended Scotch Whisky Barrel Finish
Johnnie Walker Select Casks Rye Cask Finish

Best Blended Highlands Scotch of the Year
Sheep Dip 16yr

Best Value Single Malt of the Year
Speyburn 10yr

Highlands Distillery of the Year
Balblair

Islay Distillery of the Year
Laphroaig Distiller

Scotland Gin Distillery of the Year
Arbikie

SPAIN

Spain Gin Distillery of the Year
BCN Gin

Spain Liqueur of the Year
Licor 43

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa Distillery of the Year
Distell

Best International Whisky Distillery of the Year
The James Sedgwick Distillery

Brandy Producer of the Year
Van Ryn’s

South Africa Vodka of the Year
Cruz Premium

Trinidad & Tobago

Rum Producer of the Year
Afrohead

UKRAINE

Ukraine Brandy of the Year
Koktebel Brandy 15 yr

Ukraine Milk Vodka of the Year
Mernaya on Milk Vodka

Ukraine Wheat Vodka of the Year
Khortytsa

VIETNAM

Vietnam Vodka of the Year
Vodka Hanoi

WALES

Wales Distillery of the Year
Penderyn Distillery