The competition took place from 30 October to 1st November in Brussels. The event issues three types of awards: Grand Gold Medals, Gold Medals and Silver Medals. Once again, the competition has proven to be a barometer of the latest trends in the spirits arena. Read on for an overview of the results.

At the end of the competition, the Grand Gold Medals are tasted a second time by all the panel chairs, who deliberate in order to award ‘Spirits Selection Revelation’ trophies to innovative products that meet current consumer demand, making them particularly representative of present-day trends. Nine products were selected for their unquestionable quality:

1. The French whisky Bellevoye Noir – Les Bienheureux
2. The Italian grappa La Gold – Roner Spa Distillery
3. The Pays d’Auge Calvados Château du Breuil VSOP – Château du Breuil
4. The Martinique agricultural rum JM XO – Héritiers Crassous de Médeuil SAS
5. The Mexican Mezcal Toro Muerto – Personas de Personas de Acción Totalmente Organizadas S.A. de C.V.
6. The Serbian pear brandy Nirvana Zaric – Destilerija Zaric
7. The Armagnac Janneau VSOP China Year of the Cow 2021 – Armagnac Janneau
8. The Cachaça Cafundo da Serra Prata – Coop Familiar Agroindustrial Sul Catarinense – Cafundó Da Serra
9. The Guadeloupe agricultural rum Karukera Black Edition Alligator 45° – Marquisat de Sainte Marie SAS
10. The Chinese baijiu sauce aroma Guohejiu Ren He – Guo He Shares

As is customary, special attention is also paid to organic spirits. This year, the Organic Revelation Trophy was awarded to the French whisky Sequoia Whisky Single Malt, produced by the Vercors distillery. Made from organic malt entirely sourced in France, this 3-year-old whisky is produced using low temperature distillation. It is then matured in 300-400-litre casks (new barrels and former Cognac barrels) mostly made from French oak. It develops delicate floral and fruity aromatics along with great roundness on the palate.