WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK SPIRITS AWARDS ™

New York City , the "Spirits Capital of the World"

The Competition and The Judges

The New York Spirits Awards (NYSA) is a competition that consists only of judges who interact, on a daily basis, with the most valuable and ultimate decision-maker, the consumer. Our judges are buyers from top retail stores, mixologists, bar chefs and sommeliers, bar owners & managers and those who purchase spirits for the hospitality industry.

The Judging Guidelines

Each spirit is scored in a blind tasting in the following categories: appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel, and finish. The maximum point score is 100.

The Awards

The highest score in each distilled spirits category wins an "FDR" award, named in honor of one of our greatest presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who actively supported & endorsed the repeal of Prohibition. The top 20% in each category are awarded “Best of Class”. Best of Show is awarded to the highest scoring brand with a minimum average of +90 points.

Distilling is a fluid art form, to be admired and respected. Due to the proliferation of new micro-distillers dotting the global landscape, and, to those firmly established brand icons, never before has there been a more ‘spirited’ time in the industry. The NYSA wishes to express our sincere thanks to all of the companies who participated in the 2009 premier competition and offer our congratulations to those brands which won awards in 2009.

The NYSA proudly supports the Sky Ranch Foundation