The contest
Spirits Selection by CMB
The Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles has become THE international event that rewards spirit drinks from all over the world. Whiskies, cognacs, brandies, rums, vodkas, gins, piscos, grappas, baijiu, tequila, etc. are evaluated and classified by a panel of internationally recognised experts. In 2022, more than 2,000 samples were evaluated by 120 tasters of 30 different nationalities.
A trustworthy name
While the primary objective of the competition is to highlight the world’s best spirits in order to guide consumers in their choices, this competition, which has been travelling since 2006, has also become a promotional tool for the host country or region. Taiwan, Brazil, China, Mexico, Chile, Bulgaria, Belgium and Guadeloupe are among the most recent destinations.
Intensive preparation in advance, conferences on topical issues, visits to the spirits industry in the host country or region and a dedicated team available 24 hours a day during the competition ensure that participants can spend as much time as possible outside of the tastings exchanging, discovering and discussing. Over the years, Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles has built a truly international community of collaboration and exchange between the industry professionals who participate in this event.
International in more than one way
The outstanding reputation of its selection process is one of the key components of the competition’s success.
Reputable judges, renowned for their ability to assess spirits are rigorously chosen for the competition. In 2021, 87 international judges spanning 23 nationalities took part, a diversity that contributes to the uniqueness of the event and greater objectivity of results.
Un processus d'évaluation rigoureux
The organizers ensure the judges enjoy optimal tasting conditions. The wide array of products and high alcoholic strengths make sensory analysis of spirits challenging. The number of samples tasted per session is deliberately restricted to 35 and Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles attaches great importance to training its judges.
Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles spares no expense in conducting subsequent checks on award-winning entries after the competition. Additional analyses are therefore regularly conducted on spirits sporting the precious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles medal sticker. The checks are designed to ensure consumers the highest level of satisfaction from spirits endorsed by a ‘Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial’ award.
Also, organizing the competition in a different country every year enhances the event’s international scope and provides better exposure for award-winning spirits worldwide. The choice of host country does not occur on a random basis: the organizers target growth markets, both for production and consumption of spirits.
Testimonials
"I have attended many competitions and the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is by far and away the best. Everything from the way we tasted a ‘warm up’ spirit each morning, to the smooth delivery of the spirits, to the way the spirits were scored was highly immersive. I was in awe of my fellow judges and learned so much. And I now consider a double gold from Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles as the highest accolade in the industry."
Dominic Roskrow - UK Editor of Cask Magazine and Whisky Quarterly, and former Editor of Whisky Magazine and features Editor of Whisky Advocate."It was my first intervention at Spirits Selection. Wow, was I impressed. The high standard of judging and professionalism is exceptional! The idea of master classes, especially with unknown products like Baijiu was wonderful. I did all the reading you sent, that trigged me to do some extra reading but still it was the master classes with the tastings that brought the whole picture together. With that it gave me the confidence to do the Baijiu tastings."
Johan Venter - South AfricaGroup General Manager of the Centre of Excellence Intrinsic department of Distell Ltd."The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is laying the groundwork for long-standing co-operation between China and foreign countries in the spirits industry. It is a platform for cultural exchange around our various spirits categories and drinking habits. Better awareness of each other’s products will allow us to develop trade. The competition’s reputation will enable us to improve exposure for the baijiu industry in China and in foreign markets."
Wang Xinguo Chairman of the China National Association for Liquor and Spirits Circulation.Join the competition
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