The Tasting Alliance

Please review the class codes for the competition in the entry booklet and select the most appropriate class for your product. Products will be judged within groups based on their category.

Products can only be entered in one category per Competition.

If you have questions or can't find the right category, please email us for assistance

No, the competition does not issue refunds. However, entries can be transferred to the next competition, or may be eligible for our late tasting session. We will notify affected entrants directly with instructions and timing. To confirm if your product qualifies or to check the status, please contact hello@thetastingalliance.com with your entry details.

Winners are encouraged to showcase their achievement by using medallion artwork in packaging, retail displays, e-commerce, advertising, and other marketing materials. To do so, you must first purchase a license for the high-resolution artwork through the Winner’s Portal, where you can view available options and pricing. Once licensed, you have the right to use the medallion artwork indefinitely across all point-of-sale and promotional materials.

Please note that medallion artwork may only be used on products that were submitted to and awarded by our judging panel. Any changes made to a product after entry render it ineligible to use the artwork.

Absolutely! Please contact us at hello@thetastingalliance.com to inquire about specific entry feedback. 

For more information on onboarding your products with Flaviar, please email us to discuss the right opportunity. 

We feature select winners on our social media and press channels. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, and keep an eye on your email for media opportunities post-announcement.

While this is not a guarantee, the competition reserves the right to photograph any entry for promotional use in catalogs, publications, and on the website, including social media channels.

Our experts at Tasting Alliance Advisors (TAA) offer tailored marketing and brand strategy support to help you get the most out of your win. Contact our team to learn more.

The Best New Spirits Awards recognize outstanding new products that are making a meaningful impact in their category. To qualify, a product must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• First released within the past 48 months
• A new expression or formulation from an existing brand (not simply a rebrand or packaging update)

Products that are only relabeled, have minor line extensions without significant change, or have been on the market for more than 48 months are not eligible.

Winners are determined through the standard San Francisco World Spirits Competition blind judging process. The highest-scoring eligible product in each category is awarded, provided it achieves a minimum score of 96 points. If no entry meets this threshold, no award will be given.

Categories include Vodka, Gin, Mezcal, Rum, Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Japanese Whisky, Scotch, Non-Alcoholic, and Ready-to-Drink.

Not all products entered into our competitions are publicly listed on our website. While we aim to showcase a comprehensive selection of results, participating brands are given a designated period during which they may choose to opt out of public visibility for any reason.

This policy allows producers flexibility around timing. For example, aligning with product launches, distribution plans, or internal communications. As a result, some entries and award-winning products may not be immediately visible in our published results.

Our goal is to respect each brand’s preferences while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the competition results.

The competition is a closed event and is only open to our expert judges and invited media. However, be on the lookout for details about Top Shelf 2026, our premier in-person event taking place Fall 2026.

For competition-related questions, please email us at hello@thetastingalliance.com.