Our judges

Wine, Whisky and rum importer at DVins.be - Freelance

Founder - Research & Developement Senior Manager at Compagnia dei Caraibi

Schlimmerdurst.net blog owner, one of the biggest spirits blogs in Germany - Spirits writer with special focus on how to use good spirits to make even greater cocktails.

Expert Cachaça - Owner of Fazenda Soledade - Director of IBRAC (Brazilian Institute for cachaças) Executive Board

Director at Rhum Expert & Manager Héritiers Crassous de Médeuil – Rhum JM Martinique

Business and Sourcing Manager at L'Explorateur du Goût since 2017 - Bordeaux Rhum Festival Co-founder - Worked in the Spirits Industry for 17 years, from the field to the distribution - Retail, On-trade, FMG, FMCG, Travel Retail

20 years experience in Spirits Sales & Marketing - International Business specialist - Coganc lover & Rhum Collector

Bartender, spirits advocate and drink setter for Mavolo distribuzione

International sales director at Samson&Surrey

PhD, herbalist, blender, distiller, and communicator with 20 years of experience in the Wine and Spirits sectors

Sommelier y periodista gastronómico. Spanish Wine Specialist, por el ICEX Spain Trade and Investment - Director del México Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Consultor para México en la 8ª Edición de The World Atlas of Wine - Contributor en la 5ª Edición de The Oxford Companion to Wine

International Sales Manager at Tonnellerie Quintessence - ISC

Master Distiller & Founder of The Owl Distillery and whisky "The Belgian Owl"

Engineer for Innovation - Technical assistance of wines and spirits group Remy Cointreau - Spirit Drink Consultant

Independant Master distiller & Master blender - 35 years of experience in spirits distillation, specialized in rums

Wine and Spirits Journalist at Le Figaro & Le Figaro Magazine, as well as numerous publications and specialized websites in China, Japan and Germany - President of Wine French Press Association - Permanent member of European Grand Jury - Contributor to numerous wine and spirits books and guides

Owner of Tudor House Ltd, chain of specialist stores and importer and distributor of luxury alcohol brands in Poland - Whisky educator in Poland - Organizer of Whisky Live Warsaw - Colaborators of International Wine & Spirits Research ISWR and Scotch Whiskey Association SWA - Writer and Publicist on whisky

Trade Marketing Manager at Velier SPA

CEO @ Mezcal Carreño, working closely with indigenous women of Valles Centrales to develop fair trade and socially and environmentally sustainable practices - Sommelier with 23 years of experience - Mezcallier from the Instituto Sensorial del Mezcal

Oenologist - Winemaker - Journalist at Gourmet World, Joker Wine Lover, Decanter (Chinese version/Taiwan) - Wine and Spirits Educator - Professor at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism - Professor at HK University of Hospitaliy and Tourism

Wine/Spirit/Food Journalist, Writer and Educator - Chairman of British Sake Association - Council Member, Association of Wine Educators - Circle of Wine Writers - Guild of Food Writers - WSET certified and Sake School of America Educator - 20 years experience in competitive judging in UK, Europe, USA and Japan - Asian Spirits specialist

Consumer Marketing Director for PPD Global Romania

Wine Communicator

Sommelier Journalist - Owner and Managing Director at Epulae Accademia Enogastronomica Internazionale - Editor in Chief at Epulae News Food & Wine Magazine

Ex-Chairman of the “Bureau National des producteurs d’Armagnac” - Owner of the “Armagnac Darroze” house

Drinks Industry Insider & 'Inside the Cask' blog owner with focus on drinks, retail and travel - Previously worked with many whisky and spirits brands across the on trade, off trade, prestige and duty free channels

25 years experience in worldwide premium spirits distribution - Spirits creator for rums, gins & whiskies

Wines & spirits business consultant & independant Rum bottler @Les Rhums du Sud - Previsouly worked as a Sommelier in various Michelin Star restaurants

Owner at Marche Italiane

Manager & Chief Winemaker at The Iconic Estate and Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 - Founder of Oenoconsult Com SRL - Previously Head of red wine production and brandy department at Murfatlar Winery - Member of Wine Industry Inspection Board of Romanian Ministry of Agriculture - Member of Romanian Authorized Winetasters Association ADAR

Sales & Marketing Director for Brave New Spirits, the Glasgow-based independent bottler / blender of Whisky & Rum, and owners of the new Witchburn Distillery in Campbeltown - Two-time Whisky Magazine “Icons of Whisky” nominee

Responsible for spirits sector export department at Crafted Wines & Spirits Portugal, Vinalda S.A. - Over 25 years experience in the wine and spirits sector, 15 years working on international markets

Co-founder, Co-owner and CEO of the french spirit distribution company “La Maison de l’Hédonisme”, dedicated to craft and terroir oriented spirits distribution - 10 years of experience in commercial and brand image construction

Oenologist with 10 years’ experience in liqueur production and cellar master in Cognac for 15 years: distillation and cutting of cognac, brandy, vodka and gin

Owner and Founder of Hidden Spirits, Italian independent bottler - Previously consultant for wine and spirits company in the north of Italy

Founder & Master distiller at Maison Ferroni

Agronomist from the University of La Serena and Oenologist from the University of Bordeaux – ISVV. Official Ambassador of the Pisco Producers Association, Pisco Chile A.G. Consultant for ProChile in international trade and for the National Institute of Agricultural Research, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, for industry sustainability projects, traceability, recognition, education and culture.

Beverage services consultant specialised in spirits and brazilian craft products - Bar Consultant - Brazilian wood researcher - Script consultant @ GloboSat for the very first cachaça tv series - Columnist for “Prazeres da Mesa“

Cellar Master and site manager @ Spirits France Diffusion

Founder & publishing director @ Alambic Magazine

Liquor buyer at Lagardere Travel Retail

Oenologist - Spirit drink consultant : process & R&D - Creator of products for the spirits industry

Founder of Sip Or Mix in 2011 a Spirits Importer, Distributor and Brand Manager - Spirits Specialist currently on Absinthe, Gin, Rum and Liqueurs - Previously worked for a number of brands of Tequila, Pisco, Cachaca etc.

Spirits & Cocktails development manager at Murgier group - Distributor - Previously bartender and head bartender in different types of establishments

Global Brand Manager & Head of Advocacy at ITALSPIRITS

Managing Director and Founder of FFL -Rum Brands- since 2011 Import & Distribution – Rum speaker at several events – Previously International Travel Retail Business in Europe, South Africa, Mauritius and Military Bases for perfume industry – Currently launching her own brand for On and Off trade

Food and Spirits Legal and Regulatory counsel – Head of legal and institutional affairs at the Italian Association of Distilleris (AssoDistil)

Brand Developer @ Rhums Damoiseau

Oenologist - Sales manager for French market @ Laboratoires Dujardin-Salleron

Founder & CEO @ Rhum Karukera

Spirits Distributor - Founder of Angel's Share Tasting -Area sales manager at The Nectar - Founder of The Spirits Tasting Club

Sales manager at Gai France

Wine and spirits columnist for Shanghai Daily Newspaper, China People's Publications Z Mag, Money Journal China and others - China wine and spirits communications and business development consultant

Category Manager for wines, spirits and beers at Waitrose

President of the Union of Greek Oenologists - Distiller & Master blender at Puro Karathanos

Wine and Spirit Consultant with key focus on communication, education, sensory and sales support - Advisor for the Hungarian Ministry of Agrictulture on geographic indications for wine and pálinka - Certified winemaker - WSET Diploma holder in wines and spirits - WSET certified Saké expert - Master Roaster

Manager of wine & spirits exhibitions Thessaloniki Wine Show & Wine Selfie - Wine & spirits consultant & journalist at Oinoxoos magazine as well as numerous specialized websites in Greece & UK - Instructor at Wine & Spirit Professional Center Greece for WSET

DiVino CEO

Head of spirits development department at Monte Bianco ltd. - 20 years+ of progressive marketing, sales, and brand management experience, with last 13 years in premium FMCG/wines & spirits in local and international settings - Founder & Chair of Open Whisky Club of Almaty - Advanced knowledge of Kazakhstan/Central Asian spirits market context, trends and competitors

President of the association of producers and distillers of the Istrian region (Croatia) - Member of ANAG (Associazione nazionale assagiatori grappa e acquaviti) - Owner and distiller of the Krulcic family distillery

Co-founder and director of the website flaginlife.gr, a site dedicated to spirits, bars and restaurant. Director of Bar Awards.

Spirits purchaser with focus on whisky and rum at Massen Shopping Center

Cellar Master @ Distillerie Longueteau

Marketing manager at Whiskies du Monde – 15 years experience in the spirits industry

Journalist at Il Gusto - La Stampala Repubblica

General Manager @ Dufry - Spirit & Tobacco (Travel retail) - 10 years experience in the spirits industry in the field of distribution, retail, travel retail, Hotel & leisure in Switzerland, France, Caribbean, French Guiana

Journalist - Editor in Chief of "Il Barman" - Beer writer - Beer judge

CEO & Master Distiller at Sydney Rum Distillery - Asia Pacific region sugarcane and rum industry history expert - Previously Group Distiller at Beenleigh Rum and Twenty Third Street operational site

Cachaça specialist - Sommelier - Chef - Level 2 degree in spirits WSET - Columnist "O Cachacier" at Paladar on the newspaper “O Estado de São Paulo” - President of “Cúpula da Cachaça” - One of the most requested speakers about cachaça in the world

Spirit Buyer & R&D manager for spirits and drinks at "Les Grands Chais de France"

Editor-in-chief at Vinones24 - Journalist focused on spirits and wine for Spirito Autoctono, Il Sole-24 Ore, Pambianco Wine&Food, Food & Wine Italia, Linkiesta Gastronomika, Italia a Tavola, ItalianWIneTour.info and, in Poland, for Gazzetta Italia.

Commercial Manager at Diageo for Europe Partner Markets

CEO of Domaine Familial Louis Dupont Cidres & Calvados du Pays d’Auge - Vice-President of the “Calvados Pays d’Auge” appellation

Journalist specialised in the world of the spirits, cocktails and beers.

Wine writer - Hospitality trainer - Blogger

Global Sales Manager @OrigenXGroup

Founder of Everleaf Drinks - Bar-owner and drinks consultant - Previously China and SE Asia-based drinks writer and educator

CEO @ Mavolo Beverages, distribution and import of premium, ultra-premium and prestigious spirits, beers and soft drinks from all over the world

Owner and Founder of "Doctor Cocktail ltd" based in London - Bar consultant - Hospitality speaker, and mentor - Advanced Rum Taster.

Founder of Black Watch Spirits, selling craft alcohol brands on 8 different markets since 2014 - Previously distributor in Europe for tequila and rum brands.

Owner and managing partner at RakiaSHOP - Spirits and wine blender, importer, distributor, exporter and consultant - Rakia specialist and producer

Diploma in enology and viticulture - Consultant in the development of wine and spirits products

Master Distiller and Managing Owner of XKK JSC-Isperih Distillery. Specializes in fruit distillation and ambitious to help turning rakia into the next big thing in the spirits industry.

Craft spirits importer and educator - Spirit vlogger - Founder and CEO of Example hospitality services and coaching business

Self-employed beverage consultant - Owner at Bar-Face

Lecturer at the Hotel Management School Maastricht , Certified Educator WSET and Trainer CIDS (in FR-ENG-NL). Academic background: Corporate Anthropologist, VU University Amsterdam. OIV MSc. in Wine Management, SupAgro University Montpellier

Creator of new products for the spirits industry, blending white or aged spirits - Based in Burgundy

Luxembourg Market Manager at Rémy Cointreau Benelux - Co-Founder of The Spirit Tasting Club

Member of ADAR (Authorised taster association of Romania) - Wine and spirtis journalist - Diploma WSET in wine and spirits - Judge in local competitions in Romania for fruit spirits.

Sommelier - Wine & Spirits Sales Manager at Othon Schmitt

Founder at Honkaku Spirits

Sommelier - Wine, Spirits & Cigar Educator - Hotel School and Food pairing Educator - Distributor of Wine & Spirits in Madeira

General Manager @ Independent Intercontinental trading Company CWS&BF (Bulk-bottled wines & spirits, distillation - Chalvignac - & ageing materials - Seguin Moreau -) since 2005 - General Manager of French importing/distributing company of authentic selected high end spirits - APOTHEKA - www.apotheka-spirit.com since 2018

Co-organizer of Roma Whisky Festival - Owner Whisky & Co in Rome

Grappa Consultant - Head of Distillery Bruno Pilzer - Fondazione E.Mach Instituto Agrario San Michele all’ Adige TN

Founder at Cheval Rouge - Drinks Industry executive with over 15 years experience

Cointreau Master distiller since 2016 - Member of the Syndicat National Français des Liqueurs (SNFL) - Spirits R&D & innovation manager

Founder of Famille Ricci, independent bottler specialized in rums - Previously Wine & Spirits shop owner and Techical sales representatives in wine, champagne and cognac sectors

Independent Spirits Sales and Consulting

Oenologist - Wine and Spirits Consultant - Expert on PDIs and PGOs of Wines and Spirits

Author of "Baijiu: The Essential Guide of Chinese Spirits" and “Drunk in China: Baijiu and the World's Oldest Drinking Culture" - Co-founder of a Sichuan Baijiu distillery.

Spirits book author & journalist - Master of the Quaich - Cognac Educator - Rectifier of the Gin Guild - ENSE Founder

Division Director for Beverages and Dry Goods. Cactus S.A.

Photographer, writer, judge & speaker in the field of spirits and gastronomy - Master of World Spirits - Master’s degree in Gastrosophy - Working for the magazines Gault&Millau, effillee, falstaff and Kalk & Kegel, a web-publication for sommeliers.

Pisco Expert - President of the Cofradía Nacional de Catadores del Perú - Founder Academia Peruana del Pisco - Master Distiller - Key Club Restaurant owner - President Pisco Committee ADEX - Author

ONAV Puglia Ambassador - PR & Marketing Consultant in Wine and Spirits fields - Teacher

Independent Wine & Spirits trainer & tasting expert - Accredited lecturer for future sommeliers, chefs and W&S sales and marketing staff - Member of Sharing Angel, International Women’s Association in Wines & Spirits

Chief Editor at Wine & Degustation Magazine - WSET Educator

Co-founder of TasteSpirits - Wine & Spirits Educator and Speaker - Contributor at Jancisrobinson.com

Owner of Aurian, small independent producer of a variety of drinks from infused, brewed and/or distilled fruits, grains or other ingredients, all made in-house since 1880

Manager at Gervin Distillery - Previously worked in sales and accounting for various drinks and hotel brands

Owner of WhiskyNet Hungary, premium spirits importer and distributor - Founder of Whisky Show, Rum Show and Bar Show Hungary

WhiskyNet Hungary, premium spirit importer and distributor - Extensive experience and knowledge on the distribution of premium spirits

Writer and Blogger - Co-Founder Distillerie.it - Craftdistilling.it - Whiskyclub - Rum club and Spirit Club Italia

Journalist - Director of the Spirits Committee of the Association of Wine and Spirits Journalists of Spain - CEO at Efecto Directo Marketing & Communication Agency

Founder & Director @ Drinks & Destinations LLP, India – Award-winning drinks writer – Educator – Consultant – Global Wines, Spirits & Cigars Committee by Della Leaders Club

Brand Manager for SIS Industries Ltd Bulgaria - Master's degree in Agriculture.

Lead Spirits Excellence at Heineken Beverages, responsible for the intrinsic quality and operational excellence of the company’s spirits portfolio - 27 years of Spirits production experience at Distell Ltd - Technical advisor within the South African Brandy Foundation

Author and consultant in agave spirits - Expert in regulatory affairs and sensorial analysis

Author of "Journey to above the clouds" and "Rum Rebels" - Content writer for several magazines and ezines - Taste Director of Rene's Rarities - Director of Trips & Taste

French Flying Rum Maker - Spirits Consultant for many rum, whisky and gin brands - Independent Master blender - Oenologist and wine maker in Burgundy.

Europe Business Manager @ Oak Solution Group - evOAK

Cámara Nacional de la Industria Tequilera - Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, Vino y Mezcal A.C. - Master distiller and Tequila experts educator at Asociación Civil “Cultura y Capacitación del Tequila”

The Liquid Concept (PVT) LTD - 20 years experience in Alco-Bev industry based out of Maldives working with the world’s top hotel chains such as Hilton, Four Seasons, Marriotts, IGH and also in Sri Lanka.

Managing Director and Founder of Idea Distillers GmhH, a company dedicated to consulting in spirits for on and off-trade - Writer about different marketing aspects for spirits

Wine & spirits speaker and consultant for wineries, distilleries and importers in the EU - 30 years experience in the hospitality, wine & spirits industry

Owner and master distiller of the Distillery of Montreal

Expert in Maotai Aroma Baijius - President of Mingde College of Guizhou University - Professor of Winemaking and Baijiu making

German Master distiller - Founder of Märkische Spezialitätenbrennerei KG in Hagen - Distilling expert in whisky, gin, rum vodka, fruit brandies and liqueurs, with many internationally awarded products

Master tutor of Sichuan University of Light Industry and Chemical Technology - Senior Engineer, Luzhou Baijiu Investment Group - Expert member of the Food Safety and Information committee.

Vats Liquor Chain Store - China - Purchasing Manager

Teacher & Wine specialist at the Agricultural University of Athens Spirits - Previously teaching distillation technologies at University of Western Attica - Consultant in production for a number of spirits brand