Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 Medal Winners and Results

BourbonBlog.com brings you the results and winners of the Denver International Spirits Competition 2013 and congratulates all the fine winners!

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer was a chair and judge along with 11 other prominent spirits professionals who participated in this double-blind tasting.

We are happy to report a number of Bourbons and whiskeys won prestigious medals. An array of other amazing spirits from vodka, absinthe, gin, brandy, tequila, and more from across the globe also won medals.

Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon won the highest honor of all spirits taking the “Best of Show” as the highest rated spirit of all categories in the competition.

Others to note: Wathen’s Bourbon (Gold); Breckenridge Bourbon (Gold);  Knob Creek Rye (Double Gold), and the rest of the Knob Creek family all won medals.

Also we’re pleased to note that Town Branch Bourbon of Lexington won a Silver Medal and Local Choice’s Black Cherry Bourbon won a Bronze Medal- along with several other big wins for Local Choice, see below.

This annual competition, held at the Omni Interlocken Resort, is one of only four competitions of its kind in the world with the degree of international focus on spirits and the large number of categories of spirits judged.

Detailed results listed below, we recommend you taste them all. Thanks to all spirits who submitted!

Judges (L to R) William Davis, Tom Fischer and Dave Elger toast to winners at Denver International Competition 2013 after discovering what they’ve been judging

2013 Best of Show:

The two bourbons from Charles Medley Distillery both won high honors. Old Medley 12 Year won a Double Gold and Best of Show for the highest rated spirit at Denver International Spirits Competition. Wathen’s Bourbon won a Gold Medal

Old Medley 12 Years Old Bourbon

2013 Double Gold Winners:

The complete Knob Creek Whiskey Family won medals at Denver International Spirits Competition: Knob Creek Rye (Double Gold); Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Silver), Knob Creek Bourbon (Silver)

Old Medley 12 Year Old Bourbon, Charles Medley Distillery

Knob Creek Rye, Beam, Inc

Exclusiv 1 Vodka, Serge Imports, LLC

Roundhouse Gin, Roundhouse Spirits

Piedra Azul Reposado, Underdog Wine & Spirits

E&J VS Brandy, E&J Gallo

Ted Palmer, Distiller and Owner, poses with his Double Gold Medal winning for his Roundhouse Gin – photo by Chris Davies

2013 Packaging Contest Winners:

Suerte Tequila Collection including Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo – these bottles won Gold for Packaging

Gold- Suerte Tequila, 3 bottle series, Blanco, Anejo & Reposado

Silver- Infusion Diabolique, 2 bottle series, Mixto Tequila & Kentucky Bourbon

Bronze- KAH Tequila, 3 bottle series, Blanco, De’Agave, De’ Reposado

Infusion Diabolique Kentucky Bourbon and Mixto Tequila, both infused with natural fruit, herbs and spices –  these bottles won silver in the Packaging Contest

Denver International  Spirits Competition 2013 Results:

Exclusiv Vodka offers a line of Vodka flavors including Limon, Orange, Berry, Coconut, Rose, and Peach at the Denver International Spirits Competition, the regular straight Exclusiv Vodka won a Double Gold Medal

Two favorite liqueurs among the judges that both received a Gold Medal: Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur by Chopin and Ricardo’s Decaf Coffee Liqueur of Spirit Hound Distillers of Colorado

Breckenridge Bourbon wins a Gold Medal at the 2013 Denver International Spirits Competition

BourbonBlog.com’s Tom Fischer with Denver International Co-Founders Christopher Davies and Darcy Davies

Special thanks to Bridger Root and Mickey O’Hara for photography.