Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight American Rye Whiskey and George Bowman Caribbean Dark Rum won Chairman’s Trophies and were ranked as the top two spirits at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Both bottlings were awarded 99 point ratings and were acknowledged as the top spirit in their respective categories, American Rye Whiskey and Gold/Dark Rum.
In the tasting notes for Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge judges wrote, “This barrel proof and unfiltered rye whiskey is bold. Aromas lean toward the sweeter side with maple syrup, fresh apples, and oatmeal porridge. Echoing the aromas, the smooth flavors are strong, beginning sweet and evolving into robust grain and spices like cinnamon and mace.”
In the tasting notes for George Bowman Caribbean Dark Rum, 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge judges wrote, “Sumptuous nose of baked pineapple, brown sugar crusted cashew, clementine, and a whiff of smoke. Luscious and full-bodied, this is a smooth and elegant rum characterized by warm toffee, espresso bean, vanilla, and dried green herbs before a slightly spicy finish ensues.”
This is the tenth annual edition of the spirits competition, which features a pool of judges made up of buyers, consultants, journalists, educators and international spirits experts. Over 1000 bottles are rated by the experts over the course of the event. Check out the full list of Chairman’s Trophy winners below:
2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy Winners
| Type | Subtype | Product Name | Country | Price | Score | Awards |
| Whisk(e)y | American/Rye | Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight, 62.85% abv | United States | $99.99 | 99 | CT | T100 |
| Rum | Gold/Dark Rum | George Bowman Caribbean, 40% abv | United States | $29.99 | 99 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Vodka | Vodka | Boyd & Blair Potato, 40% abv | United States | $29.99 | 98 | CT | GV | T&T | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Bourbon | Stagg, Jr., 64.2% abv | United States | $49.99 | 98 | CT | GV | T&T | T100 |
| Brandy | Cognac | Jean Fillioux Tres Vieux XO Extra Grande Champagne, 40% abv | France | $130.00 | 98 | CT | T100 |
| Rum | Aged Rum (5+ Years) | Plantation Isle of Fiji, 40% abv . | Fiji | $25.00 | 98 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Scotch/Single Malt/Speyside | Glenrothes 18 Years Old, 43% abv | Scotland | $160.00 | 98 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Irish/Single Pot Still | Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton, 46% abv | Ireland | $70.00 | 98 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Scotch/Single Malt/Highland | Oban 18 Years Old, 43% abv | Scotland | $140.00 | 98 | CT | T&T | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Scotch/Single Malt/Island | Highland Park 21 Years Old, 46% abv | Scotland | $350.00 | 97 | CT | T100 |
| Gin | Gin | Gordon’s Traveller’s Edition London Dry, 47.3% abv, 700 ml | United Kingdom | £33.00 | 97 | CT | T&T | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | American/Other | Barrell Dovetail, 62.15% abv | United States | $89.99 | 97 | CT | T100 |
| Brandy | Armagnac | Delord 25 Years Old, 40% abv | France | $90.00 | 97 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Scotch/Single Malt/Islay | Kilchoman Sanaig, 46% abv | Scotland | $75.00 | 97 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Scotch/Blended | Dewar’s Double Double Aged 27 Years Old, 46% abv, 375 ml | Scotland | $160.00 | 97 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | World | The Matsui Mizunara Cask Single Malt, 48% abv | Japan | $90.00 | 97 | CT | T100 |
| Liqueur | Herbal/Mint/Spice/Botanical | METAXA Ouzo, 40% abv | Greece | $21.99 | 97 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Baijiu/Kaoliang | Baijiu/Kaoliang | Yushan Mikado Pheasant 8 Years Old, 56% abv, 600ml | Taiwan | n/a | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Tequila | Anejo, 100% Agave | 818, 40% abv | Mexico | $59.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Vermouth | Sweet Vermouth | Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino G.I. Rosso, 16% abv | Italy | $29.99 | 96 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | American/Single Malt | Westland Garryana 2019 Edition 4|1, 50% abv | United States | $150.00 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Brandy | Pisco | Gran Demonio Albilla, 42.5% abv, 500 ml | Peru | PEN 59.90 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Tequila | Blanco, 100% Agave | Tequila Ocho, 40% abv | Mexico | $49.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Irish/Single Malt | Teeling Single Cask, 55.1% abv | Ireland | $99.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Scotch/Blended Malt | Wemyss Malts Peat Chimney, 46% abv | Scotland | $49.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Bottled-in-Bond | Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Years Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 50% abv | United States | $34.99 | 96 | CT | GV | T&T | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Canadian | Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series 2019 Edition 26 Years Old Blended, 55.75% abv | Canada | $499.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Brandy | European Brandy | Asbach Selection 21 Years Old, 40% abv | Germany | $159.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Mezcal | Mezcal | Mezcal Vago Elote, 49.7% abv | Mexico | $49.99 | 96 | CT | T100 |
| Rum | Flavored/Spiced Rum | Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple, 40% abv | Barbados & Jamaica | $30.00 | 96 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Brandy | Calvados | Christian Drouin Pays d’Auge 2000, 42% abv | France | $150.00 | 95 | CT | T100 |
| Non-Alcohol Mixer/Tonic/Soda | Non-Alcohol Mixers | Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Soda, 200 ml/4 pack | United Kingdom | $5.99 | 95 | CT | GV |
| Tequila | Extra Anejo, 100% Agave | Avion Reserva 44, 40% abv | Mexico | $90.00 | 95 | CT | T100 |
| Tequila | Reposado, 100% Agave | Storywood Speyside 7 CS, 53% abv, 700 ml | Mexico | £33.00 | 95 | CT | T100 |
| Whisk(e)y | Irish/Blended | Jameson Bow Street Cask Strength 18 Years Old, 55.3% abv | Ireland | £170.00 | 95 | CT | T100 |
| Liqueur | Berry and Fruit | Matsui Umeshu with Japanese Brandy, 14% abv | Japan | JPY1360.00 | 95 | CT | T100 |
| Liqueur | Citrus/Triple Sec | Bauchant, 40% abv | France | $24.99 | 95 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Ready-to-Drink Cocktail/Hard Seltzer | Ready-to-Drink Cocktail | Cutwater Spirits Fugu Vodka Spicy Bloody Mary, 10% abv, 4 pack/12 oz. each | United States | $12.99 | 95 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Shochu/Soju | Shochu/Soju | iichiko Frasco, 30% abv | Japan | $50.00 | 95 | CT | T&T | T100 |
| Aperitif/Amaro | Aperitif | Vincenzi Capasso, 22% abv, 1 L | Italy | $24.99 | 95 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Brandy | American Brandy | Germain-Robin XO Alambic, 40% abv | United States | $124.99 | 95 | CT | T100 |
| Liqueur | Cream/Dairy | Carolans Salted Caramel, 17% abv | Ireland | $14.99 | 95 | CT | GV | T100 |
| Rum | White/Silver Rum | BLY, 40% abv | United States | $19.99 | 95 | CT | GV | T&T | T100 |
| Aperitif/Amaro | Amaro | Lucano, 28% abv . | Italy | $30.00 | 94 | CT | T100 |
| Gin | Flavored | Russell Henry Malaysian Lime, 45% abv | United States | $38.00 | 94 | CT | T100 |