USA Spirits Ratings

Enter Now and Save.

Super Early Bird Submission Deadline Is December 20, 2024.

Judged by buyers of independents, regional and national retailers.

Submit Spirits  Order Stickers

Judging By Quality, Value and Package.

About USA Spirits Ratings

The USA Spirits Ratings is the only Spirits Competition in USA that is focused on independents, regional and national retailers. It is designed to recognize and reward spirits that are not only high in quality but also deliver value and packaging that appeal to consumers. To ensure a fair and transparent judging process, the competition evaluates entries across three key criteria: Quality, Value and Package.

Judges work in groups to assess spirits against the three criteria: Quality, Value, and Packaging. Each spirit is scored on a 100-point scale, with points allocated based on the respective weights of the criteria. Judges provide comments to highlight the key attributes of top-scoring spirits. Each panel has a mix of independents, regional and national retail wine buyers.

USA Spirits Ratings judges are top trade buyers. Get key feedback from these top buyers and grow your brand in the off-premise channels of USA.

Judging Process for the USA Spirits Ratings

The USA Spirits Ratings is the only Spirits Competition in USA that is focused on independents, regional and national retailers. It is designed to recognize and reward spirits that are not only high in quality but also deliver value and packaging that appeal to consumers. To ensure a fair and transparent judging process, the competition evaluates entries across three key criteria:

1. Quality (50%)

Judges assess the spirits for its aroma, taste, and finish. Spirits are scored based on balance, complexity within their style. Each entry undergoes a blind tasting to ensure impartiality. The aim is to reward spirits that display excellence in craftsmanship and deliver a memorable drinking experience.

2. Value (25%)

Judges consider the spirit's price point in relation to its quality. Spirits offering exceptional drinking experiences at competitive prices are scored highly. This criterion ensures that consumers receive great value for their money when choosing a medal-winning spirits brand.

3. Packaging (25%)

Packaging is judged for its design, functionality, and shelf appeal. Judges evaluate the label clarity, bottle design, and the overall presentation to determine how well the spirits brand captures consumer attention and aligns with market trends. Spirits with thoughtful and innovative packaging receive higher scores, as presentation plays a critical role in influencing consumer purchasing decisions. View full judging process and medal definations here.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Super Early Bird Ends - December 20, 2024
International Submission Closes - May 31, 2025
Domestic Submission Closes - June 30, 2025
Warehouse Closes - July 10, 2025
Judging Day - July 27, 2025
Winners Announced - August 12, 2025

The USA Spirits Ratings is the only Spirits Competition in USA that is focused on independents, regional and national retailers.

Judges

Meet our 2025 Judges

Bert Svensson

Bert Svensson

Wine, Beer, Spirits - Liquor Department Manager and and Buyer at AVP, Pavilions Rancho Santa Margarita

Awards

USA Spirits Ratings Medals

Gold
+90 Points

Silver
+80 Points

Bronze
+70 Points

Judging Formula

To win a USA Spirits Ratings award you will need to score highly in all three areas of our judging criteria. You might have an outstanding quality spirit, but if the price and packaging is not right, you will not be recognized by the USA Spirits Ratings. There is no point, for example, in having a 95 points if it does not look good or offer consumers great value for money. Those points mean it will remain highly respected within the trade, but it will also remain largely unsold on the shelf or languishing on a restaurant’s spirits list.

That is why USA Spirits Ratings is the leading spirits ratings in the USA with the rationale to rate spirits per the preferences of the consumer and trade and rewarding spirits as such. Spirits entries will be judged by their Quality, Value and Packaging.

Scoring System

Q (Quality Score) + Value Score (V) + Package Score (P) = USA Spirits Ratings Score.

Quality Score: will be marked out of 100

Value Score: will be marked out of 100

Package Score: will be marked out of 100

A separate weighted score will be given for each of the three parts of the judging process (Quality gets twice the weight). The scores will be calculated with other judges for the same product on the team to give a final score out of 100 from which individual prizes will be awarded.

Quality Score

Quality will be assessed based on how agreeable the spirits is for its target customer and chemical analysis. USR will measure quality by Appearance, Aroma, Body, Taste and Aftertaste.

Value Score

Value in this context means how well the spirits is priced based on its quality. If you think it offers excellent value, the score should be close to 100 of 100 and if you think it should be priced lower, then the score should be low. The metric to be used here is the retail price vs quality.

Packaging Score

Packaging in this context is measured by how well you think the spirits will be perceived by the consumer. This includes label, bottle colour, bottle shape and closure. This does not involve boxes, cartons and bags. It is how you think the product will be perceived when placed on spirits shelf amongst thousands of other spirits.

Who are the Judges?

The USA Spirits Ratings(USR) will be assessed and judged by a leading panel of top-level spirits buyers with current direct commercial buying responsibility. The list of judges will be drawn from leading retail chains, wholesalers, distributors and on-trade groups across a variety of channels and disciplines including multiple retailing, convenience stores, cash and carries, specialist retailers, casual and fine dining, hospitality and the travel industry.

Press

Video Presantation

Discover 2024 Winners In

Videos

Video Presantation

From Our Blog

News & Updates