On behalf of Cartils London, Christiaan Huynen joined editor of magazine The Spirits Business Patience Gould, International Beverages Regional sales director Rajiv Bhatia, and master distiller and managing director of Zuidam Distillers Patrick Van Zuidam, to judge the 2009 Travel Retail Masters Awards.
All entries, consisting of Rums, Cognacs, Scotch Whiskys, Armagnacs, Liqueurs, and Vodkas were judged in two separate categories. The spirits could win Master awards not only for the detail and precision put in their packaging design but also for their quality and smoothness in taste.
The reward of seven Master, sixteen Gold and no Silver awards in the taste category underlines the excellence in quality the entries had to offer this year. The Macallan 1824 Collection was at the for-front by receiving a Master and two Golds.
However, the big winner of the day was the cognac Dupuy XO Tentation that prevailed in the Design & Packaging category by winning the only Master award. The judges praised in particular the meticulous attention to detail that was used, such as the cap which fitted with exact precision – only one twist was needed. The Macallan 1824 Collection was also praised for its outstanding designs and was awarded a Gold and two Silvers.
Download the PDF for the article as published in The Spirits Business.
