Bartender Spirits Awards was created with a clear vision to create a spirits competition that truly reflects the expertise and preferences of Bartenders, and to reward spirits that are a great fit for on-premise channels.

Why are Bartender Spirits Awards different? 

The aim of the spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands targeting the U.S. bar trade. The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. The result will be a relevant and practical source of reference for bartenders, bar managers, bar owners and other industry professionals when making purchasing decisions for their establishments.

Spirits are judged in five categories: M (Mixability Score) + B (Balance and Versatility) + T ((Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish) Score) + Package Score (P) + Value Score (V) = Bartenders Spirits Awards Final Score. Medals will be awarded to those spirits that meet very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying spirits that should become additions to bar inventories.

Who are the judges and how wine brands can benefit?

The judges of Bartender Spirits Awards are top Bar and Restaurant Bar Managers, Bartenders and Mixologists. The judging panel will also involve buyers of National and Regional Restaurant and Bar groups, Spirits Importers and Spirits Distributors. The judges are real trade buyers and come with direct buying responsibilities.

One of the main commercial benefits producers have is that the spirits are also judged by the package and thus the judges can see the bottles once the blind tasting is done which gives a brand a solid visibility. 

Each brand also gets constructive trade feedback from these top trade professionals is very valuable. Feedback includes market feedback like is your wine a good fit for on-premise channel? is the region or category in demand in the US market? Is it a good fit for the glass program? and if the judges are interested in your brand, they also have an option to ask for more details like pricing and sampling. Apart from the feedback, each product gets a professional tasting note that they can use in custom shelf talkers of BSA.

2025 BSA judging panel will also include importers and distributors specialized in on-premise which brings a solid benefit for international and domestic brands looking to get attention of state distributors and importers.

If you are looking to sell more of your spirits to the on-premise establishments such as restaurants, hotels, pubs, and bars, then you need to enter the Bartender Spirits Awards.

Here are just few benefits to enter your wines in BSA.

1. Raise the profile of your spirits

Winning a Bartenders Spirits Awards is a mark of excellence that is recognized across the spirits industry.

2. Get in front of a hard-to-reach audience

The judging panel of the Bartenders Spirits Awards consist entirely of top bartenders, on-premise spirits buyers, and bar managers at U.S. restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. The Bartenders Spirits Awards provide an opportunity to reach a large group of these influential trade professionals.

3. Get Scores Feedback.

Get detailed feedback on each judging criteria of the Bartenders Spirits Awards M (Mixability Score), B (Balance and Versatility), T ((Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish) Score),  Package Score (P), Value Score (V).

4. Get Market Feedback.

Get feedback from judges on questions like is the product good for on-premise channel or off-premise channel? is the region or category in demand right now?

5. Winners to be listed and showcased in BTN network. This includes showing in the winners carousel in Bartender Business, San Francisco Drinks Guide, New York Drinks Guide, Chicago Drinks Guide, Los Angeles Drinks Guide and Beverage Trade Network.

6. Give the consumer a sense and stamp of approval. Use this to grow your on-premise distribution and bar placements.

7. Get professional tasting notes.

8. Judges that are interested to learn more about any product, can select send more information option. You will be then contacted by these judges for more information.

9. Global press and media coverage.

10. Option to showcase your extra sample bottle at the USA Trade Tasting show at the Bartenders Spirits Awards pavilion.

11. Special category brands will have product showcase and judges medal winner videos. Brands can use the finished video as testimonial from these top judges.

12. Special category winners will be invited to participate in the global press call for press and trade where each special category winner will get 5 minutes to pitch in the webinar. Here is an example.

13. Each brand will get a detailed product listing showing the win and tasting notes in product pages where brands can also enter where to buy links.

There is no better way to reach Bartenders and Bar Managers at top U.S. hotels, restaurants, bars and pubs than to win an award that is by and for Bartenders.