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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Food devider Cheers to craft spirits!

Cheers to craft spirits!

The inaugural SOCraft Awards 2024 is a gateway into Asia for makers of craft spirits around the world

Published Jan 10, 2024 04:43 pm

At A Glance

  • 'I'm frequently discussing the dynamism of Vietnam's bar scene, where the spirits industry is buzzing too, with artisanal gins, homegrown single malt and corn whiskies, and the reinvention of rượu gạo, or rice wine.'
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Just launched is the Spirit of Craft Awards (SOCraft Awards), Asia’s first awards body to not only honor the art of crafting artisanal spirits, but also sets a pioneering precedent by integrating environmental responsibility into the judging criteria. Judging will commence during the Singapore Cocktail Festival (SGCF) in May and results will be announced in June. Since 2015, the SGCF has brought the best names in the global cocktail scene together in Asia, and offered a platform for knowledge and talent exchange in the drinks industry.

The SOCraft Awards is conceptualized by FoodNews Creative Marketing Agency, a leading F&B marketing agency in Southeast Asia and co-founder of the Singapore Cocktail Festival. The purpose behind the SOCraft Awards is to provide an accessible platform for global craft spirit makers to connect with Asia, where the cocktail industry is thriving and there is a growing demand for craft liquor. 

“As long-standing advocates for Asia’s vibrant bar scene, we are committed to fostering inspiration within our local bars,” says Ivy Woo, managing director of FoodNews and co-founder of SGCF. The Spirit of Craft Awards serves as a pivotal platform, not just for discovering new spirits but also as a gateway for brands seeking to explore Asia’s burgeoning market.”

The SOCraft Awards has assembled a judging committee with a diverse panel of 12 thought leaders, each representing a key geographical market in Asia’s drinks and spirits industry. Together, the SOCraft Awards judging committee nominates a panel of judges

annually, consisting of independent and acclaimed bar owners and bartenders, spirits writers, importers, and distributors from Asia.

For international brands eyeing an entry into Asia, securing recognition from this discerning panel instantly amplifies their standing, providing an immediate foothold within the burgeoning craft spirit landscape. Furthermore, the SOCraft Awards serves as a pivotal platform for craft distilleries, facilitating invaluable connections within Asia’s bar industry, offering them an opportunity to grasp the nuances of their spirits’ resonance in the region, and establishing a sought-after recognition for their craft within Asia.

“I’m frequently discussing the dynamism of Vietnam’s bar scene, where the spirits industry is buzzing too, with artisanal gins, homegrown single malt and corn whiskies, and the reinvention of rượu gạo, or rice wine,” says David Kaye, SOCraft Awards judging committee member and editor-in-chief of The Dot Magazine. “The SOCraft Awards will help to connect local craft distillers with their regional and global peers, showcasing spirit-making trends in the region. Beyond awards and recognition, I’m looking forward to seeing it foster a supportive community and providing me with even more to talk about!”

The SOCraft Awards defines craft spirits as handcrafted and produced by an independent distillery. It is open to craft spirit makers and distillers from around the world, who are the criteria require, are already marketing themselves as such, at least 51 percent independently owned, and producing no more than 750,000 gallons annually.

The judges will evaluate the entries based on aroma and bouquet, mouthfeel, finish, taste, sustainability impact, and overall impression, before allocating the scores out of a maximum of 120. There are four levels of excellence in the award, with the highest tier “Platinum Award” recognizing a world-class spirit scoring more than 115; “3 Stars” for an outstanding spirit with over 105 points; “2 Stars” for spirits scoring more than 95; and “1 Star” for superior spirits scoring more than 85 points.

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