The Glorious Spirits 'Made in Mexico/Hecho en Mexico' Tasting Competition on September 17 in San Diego featured 67 brands of tequila, mezcal, sotol, and liquer.
Entries were judged on appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish, with a rating system totaling a maximum possible score of 100 points.
Best in Show and Best in Class designations are not always awarded and only warranted when a brand achieves consistently high scores. Of significance in this year's competition, one brand rated highest overall scorer and received a Best in Show. The 2015 winner is newcomer The Bad Stuff Extra Anejo Tequila.
Best in Class was awarded to the Blanco, Anejo and Extra Anejo categories as follows: Best Blanco: Milagro Silver Tequila; Best Anejo: Tequila El Llano; Best Extra Anejo: The Bad Stuff Extra Anejo Tequila.
Of significance as well, 19 Gold medals were awarded as follows: Tequila Blanco: Apocalypto, Don Modesto and Milagro. Tequila Reposado: Apocalypto, Don Modesto, Los Tres Tonos and Luna Malvada. Tequila Anejo: Don Cosme, El Llano, Jenni Rivera La Gran Senora and Sin Rival. Tequila Extra Anejo: Crotalo 7 Year, Number Juan and The Bad Stuff. Sotol: Pizcadores Blanco and Reposado. Mezcal: Scorpion Arroqueno Silver and Scorpion Barril Anejo. Liqueurs: XTA
According to judging hosts Robert Plotkin and Jack Robertiello, "San Diego is perfectly poised, historically and culturally, to be the proving grounds for Mexican spirits in the US. We are honored that entries from among the world's best Tequilas, Mezcals, Sotols and Liqueurs were presented this year. It gave us the opportunity to showcase their history and future."
To offer a sampling of San Diego fare, the judges were treated to a private dinner hosted by Chris Simmons of The Patio on Goldfinch on Thursday evening. Awards were presented on Friday evening at Old Town Tequila Factory and on Saturday, a main tasting event was hosted on the Plaza level of the Hotel.
The full 2015 results can be viewed by Friday September 25 at www.gloriousspirits.com