26th Spirits Selection by CMB: several surprises feature on the awards list
Brussels, 23 September 2024
The 26th Spirits Selection managed by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles ended two weeks ago in Renhuai, China. The major producer countries – France, Italy, Brazil, Mexico and China – confirmed their ranking, but smaller nations such as Japan, Scotland and Bolivia made a name for themselves with remarkable medal rates.
From 3 to 5 September, Spirits Selection by CMB gathered together experts from the spirits industry to blind taste 2,754 entries from 62 countries. The results have just come in and once more, the competition has proven to be a bellwether for the latest trends in the world of spirits.
The full list of medal-winning spirits
The Spirits Selection Revelation awards the highest scoring product in the competition and this year went to Martinique for its Rhum Agricole Extra Vieux HSE Château La Tour Blanche 2016 by Valois & Cie.
Scotland the Conqueror
Scotland made a big splash with 57% of participants awarded accolades. It won 21 medals, which is virtually double the number it came away with at the 2023 competition. The judges were bowled over by the SPEY Trilogia by Speyside Distillers Co Ltd, with its smoky red fruit notes, awarding it the Scotch Whisky Revelation.
The World Whisky Revelation went to Taiwan for its OMAR Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength – Sherry Cask. This uniquely complex whisky appealed with its fruity, honeyed and chocolaty notes.
Many awards from China
As the host country, China rallied its producers in large numbers. Baijiu, the world’s most consumed spirit, was the best-represented category, and China won numerous medals, including 5 Revelation awards (4 from China and 1 from Chinese Taipei)
The United Kingdom pockets 8 medals
Among the 22 entries, eight British gins and whiskies left with 5 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals.
Keen to find out who won the Gin Revelation or the Rum Revelation award? View the Revelation list here
Bolivia and Japan take the limelight
Bolivia is undeniably an up-and-coming country and an emerging force to be reckoned with over the coming years – almost half of its entries won awards! Bolivian producers came away with 8 medals, including a Grand Gold. The Singani Revelation was awarded to Perla Azul Singani Premium 2021, a complex drink exuding floral aromas of elderflower and citrus fruits.
And what a year it was for Japan with a medal rating in excess of 60%! Japan garnered 14 medals, with the Honkaku Shochu Revelation awarded to Shouro Shuzou
In the No/Low Revelation category, the alcohol-free drink Maïa Fleur de Sureau 0% by DB Paradisiaque stood out from the crowd.
View photos of the 2024 competition at https://flickr.com/photos/concoursmondial/albums
Press contact:
Benoît Carion
benoit.carion@vinopres.com
