2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Results
ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2012
March 59, 2012
ASTOR CENTER, NEW YORK CITY
The purpose of Ultimate Spirits Challenge is to identify, recognize and reward those products which stand out in their
respective categories, showing superior quality. Multiple panels of the highest-qualified experts blind-tasted each entry by
classification in appropriately grouped flights within each major spirits category, scoring each on the 100-point scale.
Products that scored 90 points or higher were then evaluated blind once again, in newly-created groupings by a different
panel of judges. Top scoring products were then reviewed again to determine a select group of finalists with the categorys
highest-scorer being awarded a Chairmans Trophy accolade.
For 2012 there are 31 Chairmans Trophies awarded, representing the best of the best; Finalists in each section are also
identified.
In addition to the score, products are distinguished with the following Accolades, as a guide to consumers:
95-100 Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation
90-94 Excellent, Highly Recommended
85-89 Very Good, Strong Recommendation
80-84 Good, Recommended
A note on the icons:
Tasting Note: composite judges' tasting notes for poducts which scored 85 and up. Roll over icon to view.
Great Value: indicates products with a favorable relationship between their price and final score.
Product Image: to assist you with visual identification, we've included an image for each product evaluated. (Please
note that age statements, vintages or label may vary slightly from the specific product evaluated but it represents a
helpful portrayal of the brand.) Click icon to view.
Entered products that were scored below 80 points have not been included; Ultimate Beverage Challenge is dedicated to
recognizing the best of the best, and that, in our opinion, begins with a score of 80 as being indicative of products of
commendation and consumer worthiness.
APERITIF
Award Score Product Accolade
Chairman's Trophy 96 Lise Baccara Troussepinete Red Aperitif France,
17% abv, $20.00
Extraordinary,
Ultimate Recommendation
Finalist 95 Lise Baccara Troussepinete White Aperitif
France, 17% abv, $20.00
Extraordinary,
Ultimate Recommendation
Finalist 90 Aperol Aperitif Italy, 11% abv, $22.00 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
VODKA
Unflavored Vodka
Award Score Product Accolade
Chairman's Trophy 94 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka United States,
40% abv, $25.99
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 93 Luksusowa Vodka Poland, 40% abv, $14.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 93 UV 80 Vodka United States, 40% abv, $12.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 92 Ocean Vodka United States, 40% abv, $32.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 92 Vektor Vodka Russia, 40% abv, $34.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 92 Zodiac Vodka United States, 40% abv, $26.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 91 Breckenridge Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$27.00
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 91 Finlandia Vodka Finland, 40% abv, $17.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 91 I SPIRIT Vodka Italy, 40% abv, $34.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 91 Milano Green Ultra Premium Vodka Italy, 40%
abv, $29.99
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 91 Nemiroff Distinct Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv,
$19.00
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 91 Vesica Vodka Poland, 40% abv, $12.99 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
90 Heroes Premium Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$17.00
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
90 LiV Vodka United States, 40% abv, $25.00 Excellent,
Highly Recommended
89 Absolut Elyx Vodka Sweden, 40% abv, $50.00 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
89 Cupcake Original Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$17.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
89 Iceberg Vodka Canada, 40% abv, $19.99 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
89 Still Waters Single Malt Vodka Canada, 40% abv,
$39.95
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
88 Grand Traverse Distillery True North Vodka
United States, 40% abv, $29.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
88 Khortytsa Ultimate Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv,
$29.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
88 Platinka Original Vodka Belarus, 40% abv,
$24.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
88 SPRING44 Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$24.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Belvedere Vodka Poland, 40% abv, $35.99 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Core Batch #44 Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$35.00
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Grand Traverse Distillery Wheat Vodka United
States, 40% abv, $24.95
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Khortytsa Platinum Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv,
$25.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Khortytsa Silver Cool Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv,
$25.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Nemiroff Original Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv,
$14.00
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Nemiroff Lex Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv, $29.00 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
86 New Amsterdam Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$13.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
86 Pearl Vodka Canada, 40% abv, $12.99 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
86 Prairie Organic Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$24.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
85 Flyte Vodka Canada, 40% abv, $29.95 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
85 Peace Catskill Mountain Vodka United States,
40% abv, $34.95
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
85 Reyka Vodka Iceland, 40% abv, $30.00 Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
84 Balls Vodka United States, 40% abv, $24.00 Good,
Recommended
84 Platinum 7X Vodka United States, 40% abv,
$10.99
Good,
Recommended
83 Belvedere Intense Unfiltered Vodka Poland, 40%
abv, $45.00
Good,
Recommended
83 Fris Vodka Denmark, 40% abv, $10.00 Good,
Recommended
81 Nemiroff Lex Ultra Vodka Ukraine, 40% abv,
$45.00
Good,
Recommended
VODKA
Flavored Vodka
Award Score Product Accolade
Chairman's Trophy 91 BAK'S Bison Grass Zubrowka Flavored Vodka
Poland, 40% abv, $24.99
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
Finalist 90 Ketel One Citroen Flavored Vodka Netherlands,
40% abv, $26.99
Excellent,
Highly Recommended
89 Cupcake Ginger Snap Flavored Vodka United
States, 35% abv, $17.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
89 Finlandia Grapefruit Flavored Vodka Finland,
37.5% abv, $17.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
88 Ketel One Oranje Flavored Vodka Netherlands,
40% abv, $26.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Cupcake Devil's Food Flavored Vodka United
States, 35% abv, $17.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
87 Valentine White Blossom Elderflower Flavored
Vodka United States, 35% abv, $24.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
86 Crop Organic Cucumber Flavored Vodka United
States, 35% abv, $29.99
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
85 Fris Whipped Flavored Vodka Denmark, 40%
abv, $10.00
Very Good,
Strong Recommendation
84 Belvedere Citrus Flavored Vodka Poland, 40%
abv, $35.99
Good,
Recommended
84 Zodiac Black Cherry Flavored Vodka United
States, 40% abv, $26.99
Good,
Recommended
83 Belvedere Black Raspberry Flavored Vodka
Poland, 40% abv, $35.99
Good,
Recommended
83 Belvedere Bloody Mary Flavored Vodka Poland,
40% abv, $35.99
Good,
Recommended
83 Fris Citrus Flavored Vodka Denmark, 40% abv,
$10.00
Good,
Recommended
83 Skyy Infusions Coconut Flavored Vodka United
States, 35% abv, $18.49
Good,
Recommended
83 SPRING44 Honey Flavored Vodka United States,
40% abv, $24.99
Good,
Recommended
83 UV Whipped Flavored Vodka United States, 30%
abv, $12.99
Good,
Recommended
82 Finlandia Redberry Flavored Vodka Finland, 40%
abv, $17.99
Good,
Recommended
82 Fris Orange Flavored Vodka Denmark, 40% abv,
$10.00
Good,
Recommended
81 Cupcake Chiffon Flavored Vodka United States,
35% abv, $17.99
Good,
Recommended
80 Cupcake Frosting Flavored Vodka United States,
35% abv, $17.99
Good,
Recommended
80 Finlandia Raspberry Flavored Vodka Finland,
37.5% abv, $17.99
Good,
Recommended
80 Square
