We stopped by the Javits the other day to visit the International Bar Show. There were spirits and bar supplies galore, and free samples galore galore. Sadly, we don’t remember everything we tasted before we spilled out onto 11th Avenue in the midday sun. Happily, there was a tasting panel on site that sifted their way through over 250 brands. Besides having the best job in the world, these folks were charged with determining the winners of the New York Spirits Awards. They scored each spirit based on a scale of 100 points, and the brand with the highest combined total won Best in Show.
As any drinker knows, it’s hard to decide what libation is best. This year, there was a tie for first place. And the winners are:
Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac – this brand is over 100 years old. Although not widely known in the US, it’s the best selling cognac in Norway (where they sell over 1 million bottles annually, yowza). Leave it to the Scandinavian folks to pick a winner, much like they did with Norwegian whale steak.
Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo (pictured) – this is a very small batch of about 58 barrels, so you’ll want to snatch it up ASAP.
We congratulate the winners! Also, a special shout out to Bluecoat Gin, which was a Barfly favorite at the show and took home the Best in Category Award. How will we celebrate all of this adulation? Why, by drinking Cognac, Tequila, and Gin (not necessarily in that order).
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