The SIP Awards, the Largest Consumer Tasting Competition Conspicuously Absent of Industry Influence, Draws Record Number of Participating Spirit Brands

DANA POINT, Calif., May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The SIP Awards, for its 6^th annual competition partnered with St. Regis, Monarch Beach Resort, where on April 27^th the 100-member judging panel converged to select the year's most distinguished brands. Framed in a perfect coastline backdrop, a record 403 beverages were evaluated by the judges to select this year's most distinguished brands.

Distilleries from around the world shined as they vied for a prestigious SIP Award. Among the spirits competing for titles were gins, liqueurs, rums, tequilas, vodkas, cognacs, whiskeys, and mixers each divided into multiple sub-categories. The 2014 top-rated brands included:

Platinum Awards - Best of Class

Aeroplano Avaidores Gin

Healy's Reserve

LEAF Vodka- Alaskan Glacial Water

Pinnacle Coconut

Jim Beam Devil's Cut

Silver Cloud Moonshine

LBL Apple Sin Moonshine

KAH Tequila Blanco

Tequila 916 Reposado

Herradura Anejo

Malinalli Tequila Extra Anejo

Screech

Rum Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Aeroplano Caribbean Spiced Rum

Bear Hug Rum Infusion Mango

Martini Bianco

St. Brendan's 708 Ireland

Laughing Glass Cocktails Margarita

Ballast Point Mai Tai

Major Peters Hot & Spicy Bloody Mary

Liquid Ice Energy Drink

AVIV 613 Vodka (Design)

KAH Tequila Series (Design)

Platinum Awards

Downings

Filliers Old Grain Genever 15

Old Grove Gin

Aeroplano Vodka

Breckenridge Vodka

Cameo Vodka Classic

Cutler's Vodka

General Beauregard Dixie Vodka

Kruto Original

LEAF Vodka - Rocky Mountain Mineral Water

RWB Ultra Premium Gluten Free Vodka

Tahoe Blue Vodka

Veev

360 Double Chocolate Vodka

360 Georgia Peach Vodka

360 Sorrento Lemon Vodka

Le Grand Saint Rose Sparkling Vodka

Bluegrass

Tatoosh Bourbon

Hillrock Estate Distillery Solera Aged Bourbon

Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Years

Jim Beam Single Barrel

Alibi American Whiskey

Dark Horse Distillery Reunion Rye Whiskey

Canadian Club 1858

Kennedy Irish

Highland Earl

Platte Valley Moonshine

Butterscotch Gold Moonshine

Sipp'n Sweet Corn

Grand Royal Signature Whisky

Grand Royal Special Reserve Whisky

3 Amigos Tequila Blanco

Sauza 901

Tequila 916 Blanco

Z Tequila Blanco

el Jimador Reposado

Embajador Tequila Premium Reposado

Suerte Tequila Reposado

Z Tequila Reposado

Aeroplano LX Anejo

Agave Underground Tequila

El Tesoro Anejo

Suerte Tequila Anejo

Dulce Durado Tequila

Three Sheets Rum

Bacardi 1873 Soleta

Three Sheets Barrel Aged Rum

Rum Summum Reserva Especial

Screech Spiced

E&J Brandy VS

Camus VSOP Borderies

Camus XO Elegance

E&J Brandy XO

Kaffe Arabika

McCormick Irish Cream

Rivulet Artisan Pecan Liqueur

Dosmaslicor de Canela Con Tequila

Bungalow 23 Prickly Pear Margarita

Bunglaw 23 Pear Ginger Martini

Backyard Mary Bloody Mary Mix

Ballast Point Bloody Mary Mix

Taste of Florida Spicy Bloody Mary Mix

Neon Energy Drink

Particularly refreshing was the absence of industry influence. The SIP Awards stands apart as the only internationally recognized consumer judging competition. Here, the very best of the best compete, without the preconceived bias common in other tasting events. Each sample is presented chilled and undiluted in identical NEAT glasses, and scored based on aroma, taste, and finish in a blind tasting. Award levels include Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

New to 2014 was the introduction of the Consumers' Choice Award, which is only presented to brands that demonstrate unwavering dedication to their craft, quality and the consumer. This honor is reserved for brands that place for two or more consecutive years.

Participation in the SIP Awards has become synonymous with elite quality as judged by the selective tastes of the consumer. "This pragmatic and refreshing model of evaluation provides an honest stage for feedback and recognition," says SIP Awards founder Paul Hashemi. "There is no better salute to superior quality and fine spirits than winning the consumer panel's vote in a completely blind tasting."

The competition has experienced an incredible year-after-year growth through the entire spectrum of beverage categories. This is continued proof of the true value of a SIP Award as an exciting opportunity for brands to distinguish themselves and grow based on consumer taste and recognition.

About SIP Awards

Catering to the opinions and palates of the discerning public, the SIP Awards presents a unique, spirit judging competition, unaffected by industry bias. This pragmatic and refreshing model of evaluation provides an honest stage for feedback and recognition where top brands showcase their achievements. To learn more about the SIP Awards beverage competition, venue partnerships or for a complete list of 2014 winners, visit www.SIPAwards.com.

CONTACT:
Kelly Conner
SIP Awards
Email
www.SIPAwards.com
+1 (949) 420-0033

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SOURCE The SIP Awards