ENTRY GUIDELINES
Eligibility
Distillers Challenge is open to all commercially produced spirits, RTD cocktails and mixers. Domestic and international entries are welcome.
The product category will be determined by information on the label.
The Competition Director reserves the right to create new categories, if the number of entries warrants.
An entry is comprised of:
- Two (2) 750ml
or 700ml bottles - Three (3) 500ml bottles
- Four (4) single-serve RTDs
Judging &
Spirits Awards
Spirits awards are determined by the spirits competition judges in a blind tasting format.
An award of Silver is given to spirits that exhibit above average character for their spirit type and style.
Spirits that exhibit exceptional quality will be awarded Gold and assigned a point score of 90 to 93.
Spirit awards of Platinum (94 to 100 points) have received a unanimous vote from the judging panel and will be considered for Best of Class, Best of Show and Distilled Spirit of the Year.
The Competition Director, at his discretion, may issue additional special awards following tabulation of all results.
Package
Design
Spirits competition entries can also register for the Package Design Competition for a $55 fee.
No additional product is required.
Package design categories include:
- Most Innovative
- Best Use of Color
- Best Label Art
- Best Gift Packaging
- Best Story
- Best of Show
Entry
Fees
SPIRITS COMPETITION
$300 per entry
$275 if entered by March 1, 2024
PACKAGE DESIGN
$55
Must also be entered in Spirits competition
Important
Dates
2024
Discount Deadline
Deadline
Deadline
Judging
Shipping
Distillers Challenge
Attn: Rich Cook
315-B 16th Street
San Diego, CA 92101-7605
+1 760-522-3167
DELIVERY HOURS
10am-2pm, Monday-Friday or by appointment
NOTE
This location does not have a loading dock. For shipments sent by pallet, please specify that the truck must have a lift gate.
International Shipping
It is best to use your own importer or agent to clear shipments through U.S. Customs.
If you do not have representation in the United States, you may still enter using the Competition’s import agent, Accolade Brands.
Contact:
Mark Newman – mark@accoladebrands.com
A fee of $75 will be charged for clearing up to three entries through U.S. Customs if the shipper uses a freight forwarder such as FedEx or DHL.
The fee for more than three entries using a freight forwarder is $150.
The fee for entries that arrive via direct air freight is $150; for more than three entries using direct air freight, $300.
These fees are for import services only and are due in advance.
Information about the spirits to be cleared should be emailed to info@distillerschallenge.com.
All international entries imported by the Competition should indicate Accolade Brands as the importer on the commercial invoice, using Competition Director Rich Cook as the contact person and +1-760-522-3167 as the contact phone number.
IMPORTANT: Shipper is responsible for complying with any and all regulations.