International Spirits Challenge 2013

Rewarding quality, celebrating excellence

Marks and Spencer's was delighted to be involved with the International Spirits Challenge this year. To have our products endorsed by this recognised competition reaffirms the hard work we have put in, to expand and diversify our range. By participating in these awards we have increased awareness of the quality of our spirits range both within the trade and also to consumers.
Emma Dawson, Wine & Spirits Buyer, Marks & Spencer Group plc

We are delighted to receive recognition from such a respected and independent industry body as the International Spirits Challenge. The quality of the panel means that this award is of great significance to us, and we are honoured to have received it for a third consecutive year, reflecting our commitment to our range, our products, our suppliers and to our customers...
Anne Jones Wines, Beers and Spirits Buying Team Waitrose Ltd

Quality is our No. 1 priority and we are delighted with the Sierra results from the ISC. Not only does this endorse our own views but it also provides an independent reference point for our customers and consumers which we can use beneficially in our Brand communications strategy...
Bill Oddy Managing Director of Sierra Tequila UK Distributor, The Drinks Company Ltd

The Whisky Exchange is delighted to have won the ISC's Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year– although we have been honoured with several awards in recent years we are particularly proud of this one as we were nominated and voted for independently by the industry rather than entering ourselves. To win this coveted title twice in three years is very special...
Tim Forbes The Whisky Exchange

Winning an ISC award for our whisky has great value because it's the only authentic "Spirits" competition. The judges are real specialists...
Kazuyuki Takayama, European Brand Manager, Suntory

KWV has participated in the International Spirits Challenge for many years, as our company believes that it offers an objective, credible and highly competitive platform by which KWV benchmarks its products, and is recognised for its quality...
Hymli Krige, Communications Director, KWV South Africa Ltd

We were very honoured to pick up two Trophies this year and received numerous new business references as a direct result, as well as congratulations from clients...
Kevin Shaw, Managing Director, Stranger & Stranger

I am proud to have worked with the International Spirits Challenge for many years, particularly when I am judging alongside the most dedicated "Master Blenders" of the World. Therefore I know that every spirit sample evaluated receives the highest scrutiny possible which not only reflects the success of the competition but more importantly benefits the consumer...
Richard Paterson, Master Blender, Whyte & Mackay Ltd

Entry Deadlines

JAN 25 Gin & Genever, Liqueurs

FEB 22 Vodka, White Spirits, Tequila & Mezcal, Anise Spirits

MAR 22 Scotch Whisky, World Whiskies

APR 19 Rum, Cachaça, Brandy & Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Pisco, Grappa

MAY10 Design & Packaging, Marketing

Entry Information

Who can enter?

The ISC is open to anyone who produces, markets or sells spirits from any country, including distillers, producers, distributors, agents, independent retailers, retail chains, supermarkets and wholesalers. Retailers must enter their own brands. All spirits must be entered with the permission of the brand owners.

All spirits must be commercially available for retail, and in sufficient quantities for it to be reasonable to expect them to be available until at least early 2014. No specially prepared samples will be accepted.

Entries may be cancelled up to 14 days after the booking date. in which case the entry fee will be returned subject to an administration charge of 50%.

Please read our Terms & Conditions.

Cost and Payment

Entrants may submit as many separate spirits as they wish.

Each entry costs £170 + VAT.

Multiple discounts are available for online entries. Those entering 5-10 spirits benefit from a discount making the total cost of each entry £150 + VAT. 11 or more entries cost £140 plus VAT each.

The price and discount structure includes design and packaging entries for individual products in established, new and repackaged categories only (but excludes offline entries).

Please note that an admin fee of £20 will be applied to those requiring invoices whose orders have a total net value of less than £500.

Cheques should be made payable to Agile Media Ltd.

Payment terms for invoices are strictly 15 days (or prior to judging if sooner). Please note that if payment or proof of payment is not received prior to judging then products will be removed from the competition. Agile Media takes no responsibility for the returning of any spirits received on this basis.

Duplicated entries

Please check that your agent or producer has not already entered the same spirit as you. No refunds will be made for duplicated entries.

When and where to send my entry form

You can complete the online entry form at www.internationalspiritschallenge.com or send your completed hard copy entry form to International Spirits Challenge at International Spirits Challenge 2013, Agile Media Ltd, Zurich House, East Park, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6AS, UK. Fax: +44(0) 1293 474010 or email isc@agilemedia.co.uk

Please take a photocopy for your records.

Please adhere to the deadlines stated in 'Important Dates' and on your entry form. Late entries may not be accepted.