The New York Spirits
Awards Announces Results

Three Categories of Recognition Awarded

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY, June 29, 2009 – The New York Spirits Awards today announced the spirited winners of its inaugural event. Over 250 brands from all over the world entered the debut event which was held on June 14 and 15 at the Javits Center in the heart of Manhattan.

The distinguished judging panel, led by Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink, was composed of members of the on and off-sale community. In a blind tasting, the judges scored each brand on a 100-point system. The NYSA awarded honors at three levels. The Best of Show award was given to the brand with the highest score. The FDR Award, named for the US President credited with the repeal of Prohibition, was awarded to the highest scoring brand in each category. And the Best of Class honor was given to the top scoring 20% of brands in each category.

In an unusual turn of events, the Best of Show award resulted in a tie. Two extraordinary brands will share this honor for 2009. The superb quality of Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac and Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo proved unbeatable.

FDR Awards were given to:

A total of 63 Best of Class awards were given. By category In alphabetical order they are:

Agave Spirits

• Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic
• Tequila El Grado Blanco
• Tequila Galindo Anejo
• Tequila Gran Centenario Rosangel
• Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Plata
• Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo
• Tequila Lunazul Blanco
• Tequila Lunazul Reposado
• Metl 2012 Reserva Especial Mezcal

Agave Spirits, Tequila Blanco

• Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic
• Tequila El Grado Blanco
• Tequila Mejor Blanco

Agave Spirits, Tequila Reposado

• Tequila La Certeza Reposado
• Tequila Mejor Reposado

Brandy/Cognac

• Bache-Gabrielsen Classic XO Cognac
• Camus Borderies XO Cognac
• Camus Seraphin XO Cognac
• Pierre Ferrand-Selection Des Anges
• Pisco Gran Sierpe

Gin

• Monopolowa Vienna Dry Gin
• Seneca Drums Gin

Liqueurs

• Artemisia Absinthe
• Bottega Sambuca Liqueur
• Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur
• Drambuie Liqueur
• Nature’s Own Juggernaut Liqueur
• Navan Liqueur
• Zwack Liqueur

Liqueurs/Fruit

• Grand Marnier Liqueur
• Limonce Liqueur

Rum

• Bacardi 8 Rum
• Bacardi Reserva Limitada Rum
• Bacardi Select Rum
• Beija Cachaca
• Don Q Grand Anejo Puerto Rican Rum
• Sergeant Classick Gold Hawaiian Rum
• Sunset Captain Bligh Golden Rum
• Vizcaya VXOP Rum

Vodka, Unflavored

• Core Vodka
• LiV Vodka
• Sonnema Vodka Herb
• Stawski Potato Vodka
• U4RIK Vodka
• Vintner’s Vodka

Vodka, Flavored

• Firefly Lemon Tea Flavored Vodka
• Kai Lychee Vodka
• Me Oko Strawberry Vodka

Vodka, Wheat

• Stolichnaya Elit
• Taxi French Vodka

Whiskies, All

• Ardbeg Ugeidal Single Malt Whisky
• The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood Single Malt
• Connemara Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey
• Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
• Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Single Barrel Bourbon
• George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Glennfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
• Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
• The Glenlivet 18 Year Old
• The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
• Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
• Whiskies, Single Malt
• The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood
• Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
• The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
• About the New York Spirits Awards

The New York Spirits Awards was founded in 2009 by two industry veterans, Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate, and Adam Levy, spirits writer. The NYSA is dedicated to finding and honoring the very best of class in the spirits industry.

For more information on the New York Spirits Awards, contact:
Dori Bryant, dorib@nyspiritsawards.com
Adam Levy, adam@nyspiritsawards.com

Visit the website for further information www.nyspiritsawards.com

For a Word or PDF version of this press release or for photography, contact:
Roseann Sessa, Savvy Drinks, ro@savvydrinks.co