JUDGING PROCESS

Integrity is the bedrock of our competition, which is why we are the only spirits event in the world with as many international judges, each with expertise to evaluate specific categories. (The complete breakdown of categories will be determined by the number of overall entries.)

To ensure authenticity, the TAG Awards has commissioned the Ultimate Universal Spirits Glass, ideal for showcasing spirits exactly as the producer intended them to be tasted.

What’s more, entries are graded using a scoring methodology that creates consistency by assessing the same universal qualities in every bottle, modified for each category.

In the preliminary rounds of judging each beverage will be grouped with a selection of its peer beverages based on category, style, and ABV. TAG judges will receive the samples blind presented in our Ultimate Universal Spirits Glass. The judges will score each sample individually. Then panel captains lead a discussion of the judges’ findings. Selected samples will be placed in another beverage peer group and presented to a different panel of judges who are subject matter experts within the category.

In the platinum round, “super panels” assembled from TAG judges will be presented with the Platinum Award Winners in a given category. Their task will be to determine which of these highly esteemed beverages are worthy of consideration in our ultimate “Best in Show” round.

On the final day of judging, all TAG judges will come together to evaluate the best of the best from each category to determine the TAG Global Spirits Awards overall Best in Show.

In addition to adoration, and global recognition, winners are awarded corresponding medals and winning certification.