I’m writing this on the Friday after the Monday evening of the results of these presitgious awards were announced in a gala event.

I live streamed the event, and you can watch some of the fun, including the announcing of the gold medal and champion distillers awards here on my YouTube channel. The various categories were announced by type in three different rooms and at each you could sample the winners of each category which was a great idea.

At the final stage, part 3 in the clip series, there were two bars each with all the gold medal winners across all the categories, so a great way to try something new.

I kept myself tidy and was happy just to catch up with buddies from near and far.

Afterwards, as a judge I also received afterwards all my notes and scores (including those of my panel) so I could revisit those, and all the entrants naturally received their own scores and the combined commments from their judging panels.

I did speak to some entrants who didn’t get the result they had hoped for, not everyone gets a gold naturally. Interestingly, some had entered international competitions and gotten different results with the same spirit, but I really don’t think you can compare like with like among the various awards programs.

I can only think that judges from different cultures may be looking for different things, whilst the scoring process etc would have a lot in common. I can certainly say that the rigorous process I experienced meant there was no ‘group think’ on the panels, nor have I ever seen a bias as to styles of flavour or expression.

This is certainly backed up by the results which has winners from around the country and indeed, international releases.

You can find the results by type on the official website here.

What I did say to one disappointed distiller, whose spirits I really appreciate, is that you should stay true to your own expression, say what you want through your spirit, and you’ll find those who will love what you are saying.