Ultimate Spirits Challenge winners announced

Final results were released Wednesday for the 7th annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), held at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center in Hawthorn, Westchester County.

Noted writer F. Paul Pacult, the judging chairman, said, "One of the many advantages of having our own year-round facility is that instead of having to judge hundreds of spirits entries over a couple of days like other spirits competitions, we can take the time to break each category down into small flights. This means that USC judging panels focus on each flight with greater in-depth attention, resulting in more accurate assessments. We don't take shortcuts which is perhaps why USC experienced a 20% increase in entries this year."

Full results in all categories are available online. The Chairman's Trophy is the top award in each category. Here are those winners:

Aperitif
Alessio Vino Chinato

Baijiu
Yushan Cellaring 6 Years Old Kaoliang

Brandy
• American: Bartlett Spirits of Maine Pear Eau-de-Vie
• Armagnac: Dartigalongue Grande Eau-de-Vie 25 Years Old Bas Armagnac
• Calvados: Roger Groult XO Pays d'Auge
• Cognac: Pierre Ferrand Reserve Double Cask
• French Brandy: Monteru Double Wood Triple Toast Finish
• Grappa: Poli Sarpa di Poli
• Pisco: Porton Acholado
• Spanish Brandy: Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez

Cachaça
Novo Fogo Tanager

Gin
• London Dry: Tanqueray
• World: Ferdinand's Saar Dry Gin

Liqueur
Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire

Mezcal
Rey Campero Tepextate Joven

Rum
• Rum: Appleton Estate 21 Years Old
• Rhum Agricole: Clément VSOP
• Spiced Rum: Don Q Oak Barrel

Tequila
• Blanco: Tequila Cabeza
• Reposado: Partida
• Añejo: Blue Nectar Founder's Blend
• Extra Añejo: El Tesoro Paradiso

Whisky - Canada
Lot 40 Canadian Rye WHISKEY

Whiskey - Ireland
• Blended: Jameson 18 Years Old
• Single Pot Still: Yellow Spot 12 Years Old
• Single Malt: The Irishman Small Batch

Whisky - Japan
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt

Whisky - Scotland
• Blended: Buchanan's Master
• Blended Malt: Usquaebach An Ard Ri Cask Strength 2016
• Single Malt-Highland: Glengoyne 15 Years Old
• Single Malt-Island: Highland Park Valkyrie
• Single Malt-Islay: Laphroaig 10 Years Old
• Single Malt-Speyside: BenRiach 20 Years Old

Whiskey - United States
• American: Wild Turkey Forgiven
• Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Col. E.H. Taylor Small Batch
• Rye: Hudson Manhattan Rye
• Single Malt: McCarthy's Oregon 3 Years Old

Whiskey - World
Paul John Peated Select Cask Indian Single Malt

Whiskey - World - Flavored
Catskill Provisions New York Honey

Shochu
iichiko BLŪ

Vermouth
Alessio Vermouth Chinato

Vodka
• Flavored: Van Gogh Dutch Caramel
• Unflavored: Purity

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• Go here to visit the Capital Region Brew Trail
• Go here to visit Notes On Napkins
• Go here to visit Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

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