Spirits & Wine Award Winners, Top Scoring Products, Beverage Industry Trends and Best Wine and Spirits Lists

Sake is the rice based wine from Japan, made from varying levels of polished rice and in a range of styles. While there are multiple types of sake, the three that we have represented are Junmai, made from rice polished to at least 70%; Junmai Gingo, made from rice polished to at least 60%; and Junmai Daigingo, made from rice polished to at least 50%. Different fermenting and brewing methods may also be used for the different levels to bring out certain flavors. Our top 3 scoring sakes all won Chairman's Trophies in their subcategory, to form a strong trio of the best sakes across the major categories available today.

Of all the tequila categories blanco, or unaged, is the most pure. The lack of additional flavor from wood aging leaves the pure agave flavor exposed. Lunazul Blanco, the Chairman’s Trophy winner for Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018, scored 96 Points and stands as a benchmark example of what blanco tequila can and should accomplish. Vividly tropical notes of green mango, passion fruit, and hot sand burst forth on the nose. Subtle citrus dances with black peppercorn and ripe white peach with a soft, rounded texture that is pleasing on the palate. Stimulating and well-rounded.

Merlot is an ubiquitous grape, planted and vinified all over the world into wines of varying quality. The fact that it is so pervasive has actually worked against it, earning it a reputation as an ordinary wine grape. True wine enthusiasts know that merlot is responsible for some of the world’s most lauded wines, and more importantly, that is is capable of making extraordinarily stunning and delicious wines.

Ultimate Spirits Challenge’s results for the bourbon category are hotly anticipated every year. As distillers continue to expand their offerings we are delighted to evaluate both new and old favorites. At USC 2018, 5 bourbon entries scored over 95 Points and we can definitively call these the best 5 bourbons available.