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About the awards

The World Vodka Awards 2023 is now open for entries

The World Vodka Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of vodka.

Online registrations: open now
Online entry closure: 15 October 2022 (NEW DEADLINE EXTENSION)
Shipping deadline – meaning when the products need to be with us – 21 October 2022 (NEW DEADLINE EXTENSION)
Winners announcement: 28 February 2023

Every entrant receives…
  • A personalized World Vodka Awards tasting note
  • Invitation to the World Vodka Awards final round tasting in London

    Winners receive…
  • Extensive coverage on World VodkaAwards.com
  • High resolution logos
  • International, regional and national coverage targeting vodkas consumers and trade buyers
  • Boxed set: inclusion in the World Vodka Awards boxed set, featuring the winners
  • Point of sale materials including: stickers and collarets with your award in corporate collars
  • All country and world winners are featured in the annual Best Spirits publication

    Medals, Certificates and Trophies receive…
  • Medal, certificate and logo pack
  • Country certificate and logo pack
  • World Style certificate and logo pack
  • World’s Best Trophies, certificate and logo pack

    Icons of Drinks

    Welcome to the Icons of Drinks

    We are delighted to say that the Icons of Drinks are now open for entries and introduce our new online entry system. You can simply make your applications through your customer profile.

    The Icons of Drinks Awards are a celebration of the years of hard work that go into every bottle. From the distillers themselves and brand ambassadors, to visitor centre managers, bars, bar tenders and the industry’s communicators – a great deal of craftsmanship, skill and knowledge are imparted at each stage of the process. This is our way of saying thank you to the individuals and producers for their dedication to each innovative release, visitor experience or expert retail service, delivered in a tireless fashion.

    Entry Deadline for Online Applications – 22 January 2023

    Taste categories

    Flavoured Vodka
    Minimum ABV: 30%ABV. Products can be sweetened. The specific flavour(s) must be declared on the entry form. If more than one flavour is included in the vodka, then main flavour(s) should be specified.

    A flavoured vodka is one where the spirit has been processed to add flavour beyond that of the vodka’s base raw materials. It is made by either:
    i) the addition of flavouring or essences (“compounding”);
    ii) the infusion/maceration of raw material in the vodka;
    iii) or a combination of the two.

    Aged vodka is a subcategory of flavoured vodka and is a vodka aged in barrels or with wooden chips, staves, etc..
    Infused/Botanical
    A vodka that has been flavoured, at least in part, by the distillation of botanicals or plant materials and does not solely use extracts/flavourings or infusions. Specific flavour(s) must be declared on the entry form.
    Pure Neutral Vodka
    Vodka distilled by any method (using pot or column), from any permitted base material(s), in accordance with the country of origin’s regulations. In addition, impurities in aroma and flavour should be filtered out to leave a clear spirit of clean, flavourless, neutral character. Minimum ABV: 37.5%ABV.

    Vodkas entered into this category will be judged based on their neutrality / flavourless qualities.

    If a vodka has residual base character coming through from the raw materials, it should be entered into the Varietal Vodka category.
    Varietal Vodka
    An unflavoured vodka where at least some of the residual character of the base material is retained after distillation e.g. apple, potato, etc., but no other flavours are added. Minimum ABV: 37.5%ABV.

    Vodkas in this category will be judged on the residual character that comes through from the base spirit. Please declare the base material on the entry form to enable the spirit to be judged appropriately.

    Design categories

    Bottle Design
    The overall design of the glass or PET bottle: shape, colour, functionality and any embossing, decorative finishes, coatings or direct printed elements as well as visual appeal.
    Label design
    This includes all aspects of on-bottle brand/product communication, including the application of any direct printing onto bottle, capsule or closure, as well as paper and film labels and sleeves. The pack will be judged on the overall design and quality of materials, print, decoration and application.
    Limited edition
    This category applies to pack designs where the number produced was limited, such as for a special production, occasion or season.
    New launch
    Packaging for a new product launched after February 1, 2019.
    Presentation
    This applies to the secondary, outer, presentation packaging, such as cartons, boxes, cases, plinths, chests etc. The presentation will be judged on the overall effect with the bottle in place.
    Range design
    This is a packaging design that carries through and unites a range or ‘family’ of different products from one producer or brand.
    Redesign / relaunch
    This category refers to a new or refreshed packaging design created for an existing product and introduced to the market after February 1, 2019. A picture or sample of the previous packaging must be supplied along with a description of what changes have been made and why
    Travel retail exclusive
    Packaging created specifically for sale in the duty-free / travel retail market

    The judging process

    TASTE

    The taste judging is held in three rounds.

    Round 1
    Each vodka is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners. Judges making up the World Vodka Awards panel include international, leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts.

    Round 2
    Style winners are tasted against each other to identify the ‘Best’ vodka in each category.

    Round 3
    The ‘Best’ vodka in each category are then tasted against each other one last time to select the World’s Best Vodka. Judges at this stage include those in Round 1 and 2 to whom are added a panel of leading distillers and experts from the vodka industry.

    DESIGN
    All DESIGN judging is conducted by a panel of leading international design experts.

    Please send 3 bottles. If you have entered only in design, please only send 2 bottles.

    Shipping

    For any enquiries regarding your shipments, please contact
    info@worlddrinksawards.com Anita Ujszaszi

    Rates

    Entry fees

    Note: price is for each entry
     1 entry2 entries3 entries4+ entries
    Sterling
    Taste & Design£260 + VAT£245 + VAT£235 + VAT£225 + VAT
    Design£184 + VAT£179 + VAT£169 + VAT£164 + VAT
    Taste or Design£184 + VAT£179 + VAT£169 + VAT£164 + VAT
    Euro
    Taste & Design€325€315€305€295
    Design€215€210€205€200
    Taste or Design€215€210€205€200
    USD
    Taste & Design$430$415$400$385
    Design$290$280$270$260
    Taste or Design$290$280$270$260
    Canadian Dollar
    Taste & Design$490$475$460$445
    Design$335$325$315$305
    Taste or Design$335$325$315$305

    Terms & conditions

  • Products must be sent by prepaid post and be received by the Shipping Date listed.
  • Entries are only accepted on a completed online entry form with the appropriate entry fee.
  • If an entry is withdrawn by the Due Date (or disqualified), the entry fee will be returned subject to an administration charge of 50% of the entry fee. Products will be made available for collection at the entrant’s expense or retained by the Organiser if not collected within eight weeks of the Due Date. Due Date is the entry deadline.
  • If an entry is withdrawn after the Due Date, no refunds will be given. This includes entries for which product has not been received.
  • Payment in full is required before judging commences.
  • Substitutions of entries is possible, but needs to be communicated to the World Drinks Awards prior to the Due Date.
  • If you are shipping your entries yourself, please ensure that all customs, clearance and any associated costs have been paid in advance. If these costs are not paid, the World Drinks Awards will invoice any costs occurred, including a £25.00 administration fee. If these costs remain unpaid, the World Drinks Awards are unable to accept the entries.
  • The judges’ decision on all matters is final.
  • The Organisers may, at their discretion, refuse to accept an entry.
  • The Organisers may alter the closing date for the awards, place an entry in the most appropriate style, rule that an entry may not compete or is ineligible to compete, or alter the date, time or place on or at which the awards are scheduled to take place.
  • The Chair of Judges has the power to disqualify any entry not deemed as meeting the entry criteria.
  • These rules are governed by the laws of the UK.
  • Please note: bottles are unable to be returned. Our policy on unreturned bottles is as follows:
    o Opened bottles may be poured at trade and consumer events to promote the individual brand, or included in a charity bottling, the proceeds of which are distributed to charity.
    o Closed bottles may be distributed to individual charities on a case by basis, or presented for auction, all proceeds of which are distributed to charity.
  • Our sponsors

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