Cecilia Wong reveals which spirits had the quality of drink business Asian luxury and starry at Jin Masters 2024.
What makes the world of spirit so interesting is pure diversity. From whiskey to cognac, vodka or gin, each spirit has its own unique characteristics. Modern spirits, craft spirits, organic or premiums all contribute to what makes each expression unique.
In 2024, The Drinks Business Asia’s Luxury Masters and Ginmasters competition has covered a variety of spirits in a variety of categories. The gorgeous master considered entries ranging from the super premium to ultra premium categories, including British and Australian vodka, gin and whiskey. Named as a luxurious spirit, from using the finest ingredients to craftsmanship and unique bottling.
Jin is still popular and leaned towards the charming and contemporary style of Jinmaster. There are expressions from Ireland, the Netherlands, China, the UK and Australia.
The 14 spirits were blindly tasted by a panel of expert judges throughout the Luxury and Ginmasters competition, introducing attractive and diverse expressions, and the results were promising.
Luxury Masters won four gold and three silver awards, and two gold and four silver medals were awarded at Gin Masters.
This year’s panel of judges included Cecilia Wong, co-chair of Masters of Drink Business Asia. Lok Cheung, bar manager at COA in Hong Kong. Also, Kai Ng, bar manager at Quinary in Hong Kong.
Archie Rose Distilling Co. won with a gorgeous master. Of the four gold awards in this contest, one went to the Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin in Australia under the Super-Premium category (price range: $400-HK $450). The liquid boasted “flower, citrus, spices and pine aromas.”
Judge Lok Cheung said: “The aroma is friendly and the body is intense. It’s balanced and the finish is good. It’s beautiful.”
Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin also won a gold medal. This expression was judged in the ultra-premium category (price range HK $450-HK $500) and presented “Floral, Coriander Seed, Ginger Notes.”
“It’s comfortable, the palate is good. It’s a good gin at this price point,” Ng said. Continuing the theme, Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky won its third gold medal in the luxury master of the year. This expression was reviewed in the World Whisky Super Premium category (price range HK $600-HK $650). The whiskey provided “Cheers, dried fruit, spices and caramel notes.”
The Final Gold Award presents “Honey, Dried Fruits, Toast and Nuts Notes” under the World Whisky Ultra Premium Category (price range HK $1,500).
“It’s balanced, rich, rounded with a long, long, long, long finish. It’s a great night cap choice,” Wong said.
Moving to the Gin Masters, the judges awarded one gold medal in the Super Premium category (price range HK $350-HK $400) to the Dutch dry gin in 1689. Ng described the nose as “unique” and the palate was good, with some interesting peppermint notes.
In the Flavoured Gin category (price range HK $350-HK $400), Rutland Square Gin from the UK won a gold medal in the contest for its “notes of rustic, dried tea leaves, dried orange peel.” “It’s very exotic, balanced, clean, sharp and oriental touch,” Chung said.
Asian Luxury Master 2024
Company Product Name Medal Vodka Super Premium HK $350-HKS400 Royal Mash Royal Mash Vodka 2020 Silver Gin Super Premium HKS350-HKS400 Tiger Gin Thai Gun Gin Silver Gin Super Premium HKS400-HKS450 Archie Rose Distilling Ring Co. Super-Premium HKS600-HKS650 Archie Rose Distilling Co. Rye Malt Whiskey Gold Archie Rose Distilling Co. Single Malt Whiskey Silver World Whiskey Ultra-Premium HK $ 1,000-HK $ 1,500 ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLING CO.
Asian Luxury Master 2024
Company Product Name Medal Super Premium HK $350-HKS400 Gin 1689 1689 1689 Dry Gin Gold London Dry London HK $350-HKS400 Wood Ward Fergus James Shanghai Craft Gin Silver Contemporary HKS350-HKS400 HKS350-HKS400 Rosslyn Distillery Rutland Square Gin Gold
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