The New York Spirits Awards today announced the spirited winners of its inaugural event. Over 250 brands from all over the world entered the debut event which was held on June 14 and 15 at the Javits Center in the heart of Manhattan.

The distinguished judging panel, led by Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink, was composed of members of the on and off-sale community. In a blind tasting, the judges scored each brand on a 100-point system. The NYSA awarded honors at three levels. The Best of Show award was given to the brand with the highest score. The FDR Award, named for the US President credited with the repeal of Prohibition, was awarded to the highest scoring brand in each category. And the Best of Class honor was given to the top scoring 20% of brands in each category.

In an unusual turn of events, the Best of Show award resulted in a tie. Two extraordinary brands will share this honor for 2009. The superb quality of Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac and Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo proved unbeatable.

FDR Awards were given to:

Brand-Category
Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo-Agave Spirits
Tequila Lunazul Blanco-Agave Spirits, Tequlia Blanco
Tequila Lunazul Reposado-Agave Spirits, Tequila Reposado
Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac-Brandy/Cognac
Bluecoat American Dry Gin-Gin
St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur-Liqueurs
Mathilde Pear Liqueur-Liqueurs, Fruit
Cruzan Black Strap Rum-Rum
Fair Trade Vodka-Vodka, Unflavored
Firefly Peach Tea Flavored Vodka-Vodka, Flavored
Stolichnaya Vodka-Vodka, Wheat
Knappogue Castle Irish Single Malt Whiskey-Whiskies, All
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky-Whisky Single Malt

A total of 63 Best of Class awards were given. By category In alphabetical order they are:

Agave Spirits
Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic
Tequila El Grado Blanco
Tequila Galindo Anejo
Tequila Gran Centenario Rosangel
Tequila Lunazul Blanco
Tequila Lunazul Reposado
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Plata
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo
Metl 2012 Reserva Especial Mezcal

Agave Spirits, Tequila Blanco
Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic
Tequila El Grado Blanco
Tequila Mejor Blanco

Agave Spirits, Tequila Reposado
Tequila La Certeza Reposado
Tequila Mejor Reposado

Brandy/Cognac
Bache-Gabrielsen Classic XO Cognac
Camus Borderies XO Cognac
Camus Seraphin XO Cognac
Pierre Ferrand-Selection Des Anges
Pisco Gran Sierpe

Gin
Monopolowa Vienna Dry Gin
Seneca Drums Gin

Liqueurs
Artemisia Absinthe
Bottega Sambuca Liqueur
Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur
Drambuie Liqueur
Nature’s Own Juggernaut Liqueur
Navan Liqueur
Zwack Liqueur

Liqueurs/Fruit
Grand Marnier Liqueur
Limonce Liqueur

Rum
Bacardi 8 Rum
Bacardi Reserva Limitada Rum
Bacardi Select Rum
Beija Cachaca
Don Q Grand Anejo Puerto Rican Rum
Sergeant Classick Gold Hawaiian Rum
Sunset Captain Bligh Golden Rum
Vizcaya VXOP Rum

Vodka, Unflavored
Core Vodka
LiV Vodka
Sonnema Vodka Herb
Stawski Potato Vodka
U4RIK Vodka
Vintner’s Vodka

Vodka, Flavored
Firefly Lemon Tea Flavored Vodka
Kai Lychee Vodka
Me Oko Strawberry Vodka

Vodka, Wheat
Stolichnaya Elit
Taxi French Vodka

Whiskies, All
Ardbeg Ungeidal Single Malt Whisky
The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood Single Malt
Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Connemara Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Single Barrel Bourbon
George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Glennfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old
The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select

Whiskies, Single Malt
The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

About the New York Spirits Awards
The New York Spirits Awards was founded in 2009 by two industry veterans, Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate, and Adam Levy, a spirits writer. The NYSA is dedicated to finding and honoring the very best of class in the spirits industry.

Post from: NELSON WADE Magazine

New York Spirits Awards Announces Results Three Categories of Recognition Awarded

Dan Aykroyd Crystal Head Vodka

Mr. Aykroyd, whose acting and comedic credits include Saturday Night Live, Trading Places, Ghostbusters and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, will be at Gary’s Wine & Marketplace of Wayne to sign bottles of his new vodka Crystal Head Vodka.

This ‘Pure Spirit’ vodka is a quadruple-distilled vodka made with pure Newfoundland water and triple filtered through Herkimer diamonds. The stunning crystal skull bottle was designed by John Alexander and made by Bruni Glass in Milano Italy.

As part of this special occasion, we will be tasting Dan Aykroyd wines from his Sonoma County Discovery Wine Series! Regionally inspired and modestly priced wine from Dan Aykroyd’s travels.

The event will be streamed live on April 11th from 9:00am – 1:00pm EST on Ustream.TV, allowing viewers from around the world to interact with Mr. Aykroyd and each other through live chat. To view the stream, visit Gary’s Wine on Ustream.tv. Participants will also have an opportunity to purchase an autographed bottle of Crystal Head Vodka and pick it up locally or order one of his wines Gary’s Wine NJ Wine Store and have the signed wine bottles mailed to you.

This will be an event you don’t want to miss, in person or virtually!

About Crystal Head Vodka
Thousands of years ago, thirteen crystal heads were scattered across the earth – and they are greater and more powerful than anything we have the ability to manufacture today. Their workmanship is perfect: they contain no tool marks and have been cut against the natural axis of the crystal, defying the laws of physics. Some say they are artifacts from the lost civilization of Atlantis, some say they date back to the Mayans, still others say they were created by a higher intelligence.

Brought together, the Crystal Heads are said to contain vast knowledge and enlightenment capable of unlocking our most enigmatic ancient mysteries. Alone, each is believed to house radiant psychic energy, which has magical powers and healing properties.

About Dan Aykroyd Sonoma County Discovery Wines
Dan Aykroyd’s affinity for travel has taken him around the globe. Whether visiting Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia or the Americas, Dan makes it a point to visit local wineries, talk to local winemakers and sample their wines.

In his travels, Dan has uncovered some of the finest tasting wines each region has to offer. Inspired by the culture, passion and dedication for producing great wines, Dan has teamed up with some of his favorite winemakers to create a series of regionally inspired and modestly priced wines that represent the best of each terroir.

After the great success of Dan’s first batch of Discovery Series wines, it was only natural for his wine career to mirror his film career by moving from Canadian soil onto the Californian terroir.
For this series, Dan has called upon the expertise of De Loach Vineyards and their proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset. The Boisset estates have been producing wine for centuries. Together they have created wine that perfectly combines the richness of Sonoma County with the traditions of Burgundy and Bordeaux to create a premium experience at a very attainable price.

About Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers (with John Belushi) and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.

About Gary’s Wine & Marketplace
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is an established leader in the fine wine & spirits business since 1987, with retail locations in Madison, Bernardsville and Wayne, NJ and an Online Wine, Spirits & Gifts Store at Gary’s Wine NJ Wine Store. Gary’s Wine, a top NJ wine store, has an enormous portfolio of fine and rare wines to fit every budget as well as gourmet foods, gifts, craft beer and spirits.

About Ustream.TV
Ustream.TV is the live interactive video broadcast platform that enables anyone with a camera and an Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. In less than two minutes, anyone can become a broadcaster by creating their own channel on Ustream or by broadcasting through their own site, empowering them to engage with their audience and further build their brand. Ustream’s Shiba Inu Puppy Cam, seen by more than 10 million viewers worldwide, was listed as one of 2008′s top 10 Web videos (Source: AP). Ustream powered more than 3.8 million streams during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.

Post from: NELSON WADE Magazine

Dan Aykroyd Bottle Signing at Gary’s Wine & Marketplace of Wayne, New Jersey

Be sure to have club soda or tonic water on hand.  Keep in mind that once they are opened they’re only good for about a day or so.  You might want to buy smaller bottles that you can finish during the course of the evening before they go flat.

While wines, Champagnes, and Scotch require very specific and elegant vessels to enhance their nuances, exotic Rum drinks are best served in more fun and festive glasses.  In fact, the more outlandish glass the better!

A few additional basic items to always have on hand would include olives, limes, lemons, stirrers, and a good supply of cocktail napkins.

Enjoy!

Post from: NELSON WADE Magazine

Wet Bar Basics