The World Brandy Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of brandy. Brandy does include the German ‘Edelbrnde & Geiste’
We are in the midst of an extraordinary situation which is affecting those in the industry in a number of ways. However, we want to look to the future, and let you know what winning an award in the 2023 World Drinks Awards could mean for you and your business. Advertising is more important than ever, and a win at the World Drinks Awards equals direct advertising opportunities.
Winning helps consumers make their purchasing decisions. It can be hard to pick from the hundreds of products lining the shelves; but as an award winner, you will stand out You will receive logos and certificates free of charge, to use as you wish to promote your win and your product.
World’s Best certificate and logo pack
Icons of Drinks
Welcome to the Icons of Drinks
We are delighted to say that the Icons of Drinks are now open for entries and introduce our new online entry system. You can simply make your applications through your customer profile.
The Icons of Drinks Awards are a celebration of the years of hard work that go into every bottle. From the distillers themselves and brand ambassadors, to visitor centre managers, bars, bar tenders and the industry’s communicators – a great deal of craftsmanship, skill and knowledge are imparted at each stage of the process. This is our way of saying thank you to the individuals and producers for their dedication to each innovative release, visitor experience or expert retail service, delivered in a tireless fashion.
A list of rates, categories and definitions can be found here
Entry Deadline for Online Applications – 22 January 2023
Taste categories
Brandy does include the German ‘Edelbr?nde & Geiste’. This category includes all apple and cider brandies – except Calvados – produced anywhere in the world.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
Brandy does include the German ‘Edelbr?nde & Geiste’ made from berries. Mixed berries are included.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
Brandy does include the German ‘Edelbr?nde & Geiste’. This can be a brandy of any age that has been distilled from fruits other than grapes, pears, stone fruit or berries and apples, such as wild fruits or a combination of fruits, which can include a portion of apples or grapes.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
A brandy that has not been made using wine, grapes, apples or other fruits but from grain or molasses. This can include nuts, roots and others.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
Brandy does include the German ‘Edelbr?nde & Geiste’ and has to be made from pears.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
A pomace or marc brandy produced anywhere in the world. This excludes Pisco and Grappa.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
Can include flavoured brandies as well as beer brandies.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
Brandy does include the German ‘Edelbr?nde & Geiste’. Stone fruits do include plums, apricot and peaches as well as others.
Aged
A brandy that has been matured in wood barrels.
Unaged
This is the eau-de-vie – the clear spirit straight from the stills.
This category applies to all brandies made from wine – except Cognac and Armagnac.
Aged 2-3 years
Aged 2-3 years
A brandy produced from wine that has been matured in wood barrels and whereby the youngest eau-de-vie is at least two years old.
Aged 4-5 years
Aged 4-5 years
A brandy produced from wine that has been matured in wood barrels and whereby the youngest eau-de-vie is at least four years old.
Extra Old
A brandy produced from wine that has been matured in wood barrels and whereby the youngest eau-de-vie is at least six years old
Solera
A brandy produced from grapes that have been matured in wood barrels using the solera system; may or may not have an age statement on the label.
Design categories
The overall design of the glass or PET bottle: shape, colour, functionality and any embossing, decorative finishes, coatings or direct printed elements as well as visual appeal.
This includes all aspects of on-bottle brand/product communication, including the application of any direct printing onto bottle, capsule or closure, as well as paper and film labels and sleeves. The pack will be judged on the overall design and quality of materials, print, decoration and application.
This category applies to pack designs where the number produced was limited, such as for a special production, occasion or season.
Packaging for a new product launched after February 1, 2019.
This applies to the secondary, outer, presentation packaging, such as cartons, boxes, cases, plinths, chests etc. The presentation will be judged on the overall effect with the bottle in place.
This is a packaging design that carries through and unites a range or ‘family’ of different products from one producer or brand.
This category refers to a new or refreshed packaging design created for an existing product and introduced to the market after February 1, 2019. A picture or sample of the previous packaging must be supplied along with a description of what changes have been made and why
Packaging created specifically for sale in the duty-free / travel retail market
The judging process
TASTE
The taste judging is held in two rounds.
Round 1
Each brandy is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners. Judges making up the World Brandy Awards panel include international, leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts.
Round 2
Style winners are tasted against each other to identify the ‘World's Best’ brandy in each category.
DESIGN
All DESIGN judging is conducted by a panel of leading international design experts.
For each entry, the following quantities should be supplied
- Taste only – 3 bottles
- Design only – 2 bottles
- Taste and Design – 3 bottles
Shipping
Brexit and shipping from Europe
Customs Declarations will be required from 1 January 2021 for shipments between Great Britain and the European Union (and vice-versa). Although the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement refers to 'zero tariffs' (zero customs duties), this doesn't replace the need to generate a Customs Declaration and so a Commercial or Pro-forma Invoice is required. The trade deal only applies to Customs duties, meaning that in most cases Customs duties will not be applied to goods fulfilling all necessary "rules of origin" requirements. However, VAT will still be levied. Customs declarations are therefore required for goods to clear the border, as the UK will have left the single market and the customs union. Country-specific restrictions will still be in place and any associated licences will also be required.
If you have any queries regarding the shipment of your samples, please get in touch via email info@worlddrinksawards.com with subject line ‘World Drinks Awards shipping query’
Shipping Deadline (Product needs to be received by): 18 December 2022
Our delivery facility is open for entries. All samples should be delivered to Norwich, UK.