A THOROUGH RATING SYSTEM
Key Factors We Look At
Rating Your Product
Each spirit is judged and rated on a number of important industry standards including:
- Taste, smell, mouthfeel
- Mixability
- Packaging
- Marketability
- Versatility
All entries are then categorized and judged according to the brands best uses and strengths, rating each with pertinent information, which is significant to buyers, servers, and drinkers.
Judging
The Chilled Choice judges are top tier, trendsetting bartenders, bar owners, consultants, and distributors setting the standard for what bars are serving right now. Our judges also include publishers, bloggers, editors, and consumers all poised to get the word out on newsworthy spirits. Our judges’ rate brands according to industry classifications, helping to characterize each brand’s best uses.
Overall Taste and Packaging
Each spirit is carefully tested, rated, and categorized on its overall taste, smell, mouthfeel. Each spirit is then mixed at the discretion of the judges to test for mixability and versatility. All judges remain blindfolded throughout this part of the competition to ensure each spirit is given an honest and unbiased assessment. Once each spirit has received it’s taste score, our judges will then evaluate the products packaging and overall design. Package ratings are on the basis of shape, functionality, marketability, aesthetics, backstory, appeal, and creativity. Judges will assess the strengths of each spirit and rate the brand’s best uses per category.
A THOROUGHLY COMPLEX RATING SYSTEM
Judging
Ratings
Once each spirit is blind-taste tested and categorized, each judge rates packaging, bottle design, marketability, etc. Specialized category awards are given for excelling performance in the following areas:
#Chilled Choice Award: Brands receiving a #Chilled Choice Award are chosen by consumer tastings held aside from the main industry judging event.
The Chilled Seal of Approval: The Chilled Seal of Approval is the highest honor bestowed on a brand and given to only those brands that excel across categories and classifications. Only FIVE (5) Chilled Seal of Approvals will be awarded per competition.
Best Spirit In a Category: Brands that excel across a category will be given a Best In award. Only FIVE (5) Best In awards will be given across categories per competition.
The Process
Blind Tasting Rating
Each spirit is separated into categories based on the type of liquor, price point, and style. Each spirit is then rated on taste, flavor, and mouthfeel. Each spirit is mixed with the same ingredients to test mixability and versatility. The judges remain blindfolded for the duration of the tasting process to ensure each ranking is an unbiased assessment of the spirit.
Packaging Rating
Once each spirit has received the taste score the judges will evaluate its packaging based on bottle shape, functionality, marketability, aesthetics, back story, and overall look and creativity. Judges will assess the strengths of each spirit and rate the brand’s best uses per category.
Our Judges
The Chilled Choice judges consist of highly influential bartenders, including at least five (5) Chilled 100 Ambassadors per judging event. The Chilled 100 members make up a collective voice of bartenders who regularly attend professional development, tastings, and compete in industry competitions. Our judges also include a mix of bar managers, drink consultants, industry publishers, editors, and other experts in the field.
A SIGN OF YOUR TRUE QUALITY
Our Awards
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Yes, when you register your product it is automatically entered into both competitions.
The judging panel consists of highly influential top Chilled 100 members, a collective voice of bartenders who regularly attend professional development, tastings, and compete in industry-wide competitions. The panel also includes a mix of bar managers, drink consultants, industry publishers and editors, and other experts in the field.
Upon request, we can submit feedback from the judge’s notes. Please allow us two weeks after the results have been announced to get back to you.
CHILLED values both you and your brand, which is why brands who enter but do not receive an award will be kept strictly confidential. CHILLED will only announce the winners following the competition.
Our CHILLED judges will evaluate each spirit on a number of criteria, including taste, smell, mouth feel, mixability, versatility, packaging and marketability.
Tasting & Design Competition:
- 700ml or larger – enclose 2 bottles per entry
- 300ml – 699ml – enclose 3 bottles per entry
- Less than 300ml – enclose 4 bottles per entry
We accept Pay-pal, debit card or credit card payments through our secure system.
The competition is open to all commercial spirits professionally produced that comply with the classification codes.
Yes, as long as you send it in before (date) with a late fee you’re in!