DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Zing Zang Blazing Bloody Mary
(IL)  Made with premium vodka.  18° prf

Palate: Full rich tomato, sweet tomato, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, strong horseradish, good horseradish kick, lemon/lime, celery, celery salt, black pepper, Tabasco, peppery, spicy, natural ingredients, smooth, thick & hearty, flavorful, all of the flavors of a classic Bloody Mary, a perfect Bloody Mary, wonderful, amazing, excellent.
Finish: Tomato puree, onion, peppery, a good spicy base, balanced, lingers nicely, nice kick, heat builds nicely, searing heat, enjoyable.

Double Gold Medal

Treaty Oak Old Fashioned Cocktail
(Treaty Oak Distilling, TX)  Bourbon Whiskey, Bitters, Orange Zest.  76° prf

Palate: Orange zest, good orange, orange bitters boosts likeability, just the right amount of orange and bitters, wood, nice viscosity, good alcohol level, nice balance, accurate, good combo, well-made, first rate, certainly a good version of the classic cocktail, a great Old Fashioned, an outstanding RTD rendition of an Old Fashioned.
Finish: Bitter orange, wood, clean, smooth, a nice full bodied cocktail, just the right staying power, very good, finishes well, great finish.

Double Gold Medal

Suerte Margarita Tequila Cocktail
(Jalisco, Mexico)  Blanco Suerte Tequila, Sparkling Spring Water, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave Nectar.  14° prf

Palate: Emphasis on tequila, tequila shines through perfectly, good tequila sensation, good citrus, sweet and sour, balanced tartness, hint of smoke, natural flavor, well-balanced, good bubbles, tastes accurate, nice, this does not taste like it’s out of a can, a refreshing cocktail.
Finish: Lime, lime peel, good citrus, natural flavors, not too sweet, tart, tangy, clean, fresh, well made, nice, impressive, outstanding.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

High Peaks Barrel Aged Manhattan
(High Peaks Distilling, NY)  Single Malt Whiskey, Empire Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Bitters, Luxardo Marasca Cherries.  76° prf

Palate: Natural cherry note, Maraschino cherries evident, a Manhattan cocktail, very woody, good use of whiskey, quality ingredients, all flavors present and balanced, good flavor overall, a well-crafted Manhattan, one of the best Manhattan RTDs.
Finish: Bitters, woody, clean, just the right staying power, solid effort.

Gold Medal

Freitag Chef's Negroni
(Kettner Distillery, CA)  Gin, Liqueur, Bitters.  60° prf

Palate: Gin, bitters come through nicely, hint of chocolate, good spice, wood, good proof level, fresh, bold, zesty, good blend of flavors, full-flavored, distinctive, a nice cocktail, just right, very nice, excellent.
Finish: Orange bitters, herbs, long lasting vermouth, coffee notes, creamy, rich layers of flavor, excellent staying power, perfect with a large ice cube, a very good cocktail, just right.

Gold Medal

High Peaks Adirondack Pommeau
(High Peaks Distilling, NY)  Apple Brandy blended with Apple Cider, aged in whiskey barrels.  36° prf

Palate: Fresh apple, dried apple, biting into an apple, natural cider flavor, good cider, brandy present but not overpowering, robust brandy, good brandy, hint of cinnamon doughnut, herbal note, woody notes, crisp, strong flavor, nice combo of flavors, great blend of flavors, interesting idea for an RTD cocktail, smooth, well done, excellent.
Finish: Dried apple, lingering cinnamon, whiskey-like, sweet-sour balance, nice, clean, solid, well-executed, well made, very pleasant.

Gold Medal

Zing Zang Bloody Mary
(IL)  Made with premium vodka.  18° prf

Palate: Natural tomato, nice tomato, tomato juice, hint of lemon/lime, celery salt, celery, parsley, pretty spices, white pepper, black pepper, tabasco, horseradish, classic flavors, nicely blended, simple, nice balance, ultra-smooth, as perfect as you can get in an RTD, just right.
Finish: Good tomato juice, celery, salt, good acid, balanced, well made, flavorful finish, tastes natural, this is a good one, nice staying power, very drinkable, exactly as a Bloody Mary should be.

Gold Medal

Mimosa Royale Mango Canned Mimosa
(CA)  Carbonated Grape Wine, Natural Mango Flavor.  16° prf

Palate: Ripe mango, natural mango, good mango flavor, well rounded mango, mango forward, wine, great balance, very clean, refreshing, elegant.
Finish: Mango, white grapes, not too sweet, wine sneaks in at the finish, balanced, nice finish, well-executed, exceptional.

Gold Medal

Double P Espresso Martini
(Kettner Distillery, CA)  Vodka, Espresso Beans, Bitters.  52° prf

Palate: Very nice espresso flavor, black coffee, chocolate notes, natural flavors, sweet, good mouthfeel, smooth, creamy, a nice cocktail, tasty.
Finish: Espresso, good coffee, nicely done, sweet, balanced, good finish, lingers just right, clean, smooth, super enjoyable.

Gold Medal

The Perfect Manhattan
(NY)  5 Y.O. Bourbon Whiskey, White & Sweet Vermouth, Bitters, Cherry Juice.  74° prf

Palate: Cherry, chocolate notes, touch of coffee note, good citrus, woody, nice bitter note, good blend of ingredients, clean, smooth, rich profile, a well rounded Manhattan, a nice cocktail.
Finish: Light wood, builds nicely, developed finish, nice finish, smooth, robust, elegant, enjoyable.

Gold Medal

Zing Zang Mango Margarita
(IL)  Premium Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, Real Mango Juice.  18° prf

Palate: Mango, dried mango, citrus peel, coconut background, sour mix, solid tequila flavor, good flavor, mango-tart, zesty, good sweetness, fresh, balanced drink, proper balance of flavors, will not disappoint, fun.
Finish: Orange popsicle, lemon, lime, light coconut, clean, well-balanced, very drinkable.

Gold Medal

Joshing Cocktails Cosmic Tale
(FL)  Vodka, Ginger Beer, Cane Sugar, Natural Blueberry, Lime & Basil Flavors.  11.8° prf

Palate: Ginger, ginger beer, well rounded blueberry, mint, anise, basil, zesty, tangy, interesting blend of flavors, excellent combination, surprisingly great.
Finish: Long lasting ginger zing, blueberry.

Gold Medal

Yacht Water Jalapeño Tequila Seltzer
(GA)  Reposado Tequila, Fresh Key Lime Juice, Jalapeño, Sparkling Water.  11.6° prf

Palate: Jalapeño forward, heavy citrus, a hint of lime, spicy tequila, tequila notes, seltzer, balanced, unique combo of flavors, nice, elegant.
Finish: Lemon and lime peel, sweetness, spicy.

Gold Medal

Zing Zang Classic Margarita
(IL)  Premium Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, Real Lime Juice.  13° prf

Palate: Nice tequila, lime, great balance of flavors, smooth, luxurious mouthfeel, well crafted, well-executed, classic margarita, a very nice margarita.
Finish: Lime, sweet, clean, great.

Gold Medal

Suerte Paloma Tequila Cocktail
(Jalisco, Mexico)  Blanco Suerte Tequila, Sparkling Spring Water, Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice, Agave Nectar.  14° prf

Palate: Nice tequila, nice fruit, very soft citrus, very nicely blended, great balance of tequila & grapefruit, balanced sweet and tart, fresh.
Finish: Clean, lemon, soft, smooth, clean, crisp, fresh, easy drinking, refreshing, just right.

Gold Medal

Cipriani Bellini
(Italy)  Sparkling Wine, White Peach Purée.  14° prf

Palate: Peachy, peach forward, sparkling peach, balanced peach, natural flavors, nice sweetness, fresh, zesty, tasty, a nice cocktail.
Finish: Peachy, peach lingers, nicely balanced, sweetness, clean, fresh, soft, spot on.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL AWARDS

Yacht Water Key Lime Tequila Seltzer
(GA)  Reposado Tequila, Fresh Key Lime Juice, Sparkling Water.  11.6° prf

Palate: Fresh lime juice, lime forward, light tequila, tart, not too sweet, slightly smoky, delicate effervescence, nice flavor combination, perfectly balanced, impressive.
Finish: Lime, lime juice, lime zest, citrus, tart, margarita-like, clean, fresh, easy drinking, surprisingly good.

Silver Medal

Mimosa Royale Pineapple Canned Mimosa
(CA)  Carbonated Grape Wine, Natural Pineapple Flavor.  16° prf

Palate: Real pineapple, sweet pineapple, pineapple candy, melon note, fruit cocktail juice, tropical fruit, natural flavors, light, pleasant.
Finish: Pineapple, dried pineapple, sweet, clean, very natural flavors, well-made, a good cocktail.

Silver Medal

Yacht Water Sunrise Tequila Seltzer
(GA)  Reposado Tequila, Fresh Orange Juice, Fresh Key Lime Juice, Sparkling Water.  11.6° prf

Palate: Key lime really comes through, orange, soft tequila, faint agave, maple, saline, tropical, tart, good balance, well rounded.
Finish: Cherry candy, soft, fresh, unique, pleasantly surprising.

Silver Medal

Mimosa Royale Apple Canned Mimosa
(CA)  Carbonated Grape Wine, Natural Apple Flavor.  16° prf

Palate: McIntosh apple, green apple, natural apple, Martinelli’s sparkling apple juice, mint, tangy zest, semi-sweet, fizzy, off dry champagne, clean, refreshing, very pleasant.
Finish: Apple essence, nice lingering apple, balanced sweetness, good for a French 75, clean, refreshing, pleasant.

Silver Medal

BRONZE MEDAL AWARDS

Mimosa Royale Berry Canned Mimosa
(CA)  Carbonated Grape Wine, Natural Berry Flavor.  16° prf

Palate: Raspberry, strawberry, blended berry, berries indeed, all berry, nice berry flavors, hint of apple, melon, good balance with sparkling wine, soft, quite refreshing.
Finish: Apple essence, gummy bears, powdered sugar, controlled sugars, good flavors, well made.

Bronze Medal

Mimosa Royale Orange Canned Mimosa
(CA)  Carbonated Grape Wine, Natural Orange Flavor.  16° prf

Palate: Bitter orange, orange peel, nice citrus, orange water essence, restrained orange presence, melon, crisp wine balanced nicely with orange slice, soft sweetness, nice carbonation, well blended.
Finish: Natural tropical fruit, clean, fresh, nice, easy drinking.

Bronze Medal

Mimosa Royale Watermelon Canned Mimosa
(CA)  Carbonated Grape Wine, Natural Watermelon.  16° prf

Palate: Wine forward, real watermelon, watermelon candy, natural flavors, Sprite, cola, nice mint, fresh, tangy, bright, nicely done.
Finish: Watermelon, natural juice flavors, balanced, well made.

Bronze Medal

Joshing Cocktails Unicorn Tale
(FL)  Vodka, Soda Water, Cane Sugar, Natural Lychee & Lime Flavors.  11.8° prf

Palate: Nice lychee flavor, sweet lychee, squeeze of lime, lemon lime, citrus, beet sugar, pink cotton candy, vanilla, crisp, zesty.
Finish: Fruity, sweet, soft, mellow, fresh, easy drinking.

Bronze Medal