Greetings everyone!

It’s go-time to see who earns bragging rights for 2024.

Our thirsty consumer audiences can’t wait to see who will emerge from the pack and be featured on Spirits Network Championship show, Fred Minnick YouTube channel and other media channels.

Our truly blind competition is designed to give every spirit a fair shot. And wow have we had some amazing results. Despite competing against the world’s biggest players, the top whiskey each of the past three years has come from a small, independent distillery (Cotswolds Distillery, UK and Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks, MI).

I’ve curated some of the best tasters in the world, and we’re ready to experience what you have to offer.

-Fred Minnick
fredminnick.com

About

ASCOT Awards is an international spirits competition created by spirits personality and veteran tasting judge, Fred Minnick. The competition provides a unique opportunity for distillers to have their products recognized through Fred’s YouTube channel, social media, news articles, newsletters, and festival.

More Info
Ascot Awards

ASCOT Awards recognizes all aspects of the spirits industry and is essentially two competitions: Taste and Marketing + Design.

The online entry system is quick, easy and extremely flexible. After registration, you can go back into your My Account at any time and add entries, pay and upload files. You can save your changes and abandon the site at any point. For Taste categories, you will be prompted to send one (1) 750 ml bottle of each entry to our Dallas processing center at 127 Pittsburg St. Dallas, TX 75207. Taste entrants also have the option of filling out the entry form and mailing it in.

For Marketing + Design categories, you will have the opportunity to upload work samples, photos, etc. any time after checkout. Any common file type is acceptable. Submit only one copy of each entry.

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Congratulations to the 2023 Best in Show Winners
See Full Winner List
Ascot Awards

Entries will be scrutinized through a blind judging process which will determine various levels of awards.

The top scoring entries from each class will proceed to a live-streamed championship round where they will be judged by Fred and another expert for that specific class. Consumers and industry professionals will watch in real time as the samples are discussed and champions are crowned. The live-stream judging will be spread out over numerous days to give the competing brands time to be recognized through Fred’s various media channels.

Best in Class, championship round participants and Double Platinum finalists will receive extensive year-long exposure through Fred’s various media channels.

Glencairn is the official glass of the ASCOT Awards
Glencairn is the official glass of the ASCOT Awards

Entry Information


1. Register

Upload your company logo and your social media information. This is the parent or entering company information. After registration, click on Enter Today at the top of the screen and you will be in the Entry System. You may want to print out or refer to the Categories list in the left-hand margin tab. There is also a Chat box in the lower right hand of the screen for live help.

2. Entry Input

Input your title of entry. Fill in the requested product information and choose a category. There is a two-step category process. You will be given a choice of a main heading such as Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, etc. The second level would be the category number you see in our list, for example: single malt scotch or gin. Marketing + Design would also have their own specific selection choices. If both category levels are not filled, the “Next” button will not populate and you will not be able to move on to the next stage of the entry process.

3. Checkout

At checkout, you will be given the option to pay by check, PayPal or credit card. If you click check, you can mail a check, pay later by wire transfer, or go back into My Account later and pay with a credit card or PayPal.

4. Upload Files

After checkout, if you are entering the Marketing + Design competition you will be given the opportunity to upload files, logos and/or word documents for each entry. You can also revisit your entries on your My Account page at any time to upload additional files or edit project information.

5. Payment

Upon payment, you will receive an automatic email receipt and accounting of your entries.

Leadership

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.

Blind Judging

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.

Evaluation

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.

Best in Class

Determined to be the best-in-class during the live-streamed Championship Round.

Double Platinum

One of a few to make it to the Championship Round. Outstanding; earns top marks from all judges.

Platinum

An excellent product; meets very high standards; highly recommended.

Gold

A well-crafted product deserving recognition.

Honorable Mention

Meets the standards of the industry.

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.

Best in Class, Double Platinum, Platinum, and Gold Winners will have the option to purchase the iconic ASCOT statuette, a custom, metal award for $220. The optional purchase keeps entry fees reasonably priced and doesn’t require entrants to subsidize awards won by others. It also makes it more economical to enter multiple products or Marketing + Design projects.

All winners receive a complimentary foiled certificate and are provided access to ASCOT graphics, information, and use of name without any charges or licensing fees.

See Statuette

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.

Entry Form

Marketing + Design categories must be entered online. Taste can be entered online or by printing an entry form and sending it in with your entries.

Final Deadline March 14

Shipping Instructions

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.”

Send to:

ASCOT Awards
127 Pittsburg St
Dallas, TX 75207
International entrants needing assistance with import into the United States, please contact info@ascotawards.com

Bottle Deadline March 21

Ascot Awards

What are you waiting for? See how you stack up to the best.

Contact Us

info[at]ascotawards.com

Tel: 214.377.3528


The Official Retail Partner of the ASCOT Awards