Taste Competition is under the leadership of noted spirits personality Fred Minnick who has assembled some of the top spirits tasters in the industry. Judges are trained, experienced, long-time spirits professionals who have participated in numerous other tasting competitions.

Entries are blind-tested and graded on a 100 point scale based on a series of criteria relating to appearance, aroma, taste, and finish. Top scores in each class will advance to a championship round where Fred and an expert in that specific class, will blind taste them and choose a champion during a live streaming event.

Marketing + Design entries are evaluated at random and given a score that will determine whether they are category winners. In most instances, there is no need for extensive explanations by the entrant. Work is judged on its own quality, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Fees are $475 for Taste categories, $110 for single element Marketing + Design entries and $150 for Marketing Campaigns. If an entry is submitted in more than one category, an additional entry fee is required for each time it is entered.

ASCOT Awards reserves the right to display information submitted by Taste Competition entrants on winner’s lists, galleries and social media. Marketing + Design entrants will be given the option during the entry process to not grant permission to have their work displayed. This option recognizes that work produced for clients can sometimes be subject to permissions and copyrights. Entries will not be returned. No entrant information is sold, traded, made available to a third party or used for any other purpose.

Enclose two (2) 750 ml bottles or three (3) 500 ml bottles per entry. For Marketing + Design categories like bottle design, send one bottle per entry. Include a copy of your completed entry form in your shipment. Write on the boxes: “Sample materials, Not for resale. Glass enclosed.”