Competition Spirit Classes & Categories

Spirits entered into ADI’s International Spirits Competition are separated into flight first by their class and then by their category within that class. ADI reserves to right to reclassify a spirit from how it was entered, but we will only do so if there is a compelling reason. Spirits incorrectly classified during registration may receive lower marks.

The prospective categories for entry are:

Spirit ClassSpirit CategoryDefinition
Agave100% Agave Tequila^As defined in the NOM 006 Mexican Standards
AgaveAgave SpiritAny distilled spirit produced from a fermented mash of agave pinas and/or syrups, distilled less than 95% ABV and bottled at not less than 40% ABV.
AgaveBacanora^As defined in the NOM 168 Mexican Standards
AgaveCocuy^An agave spirit with a Denomination of Origin produced in Venezuela
AgaveComiteco^A Mexican spirit produced in the southern state of Chiapas around the city of Comitán de Domínguez, based on the fermentation of the aguamiel (agave sap) of the maguey Comiteco (agave Atrovirens Haw)
AgaveFlavored Agave SpiritAny distilled spirit produced from a fermented mash of agave pinas and/or syrups, distilled less than 95% ABV, flavored through distillation, maceration, or other flavoring methods, and may be bottled at less than 40% ABV.
AgaveFlavored Bacanora^As defined in the NOM 168 Mexican Standards
AgaveMezcal Ancestral^As defined in the NOM 70 Mexican Standards
AgaveMezcal Artisanal^As defined in the NOM 70 Mexican Standards
AgaveMezcal^As defined in the NOM 70 Mexican Standards
AgaveMiske^An agave spirit with a Denomination of Origin produced in Ecuador
AgaveRaicilla^As defined in the Denomination of Origin
AgaveTequila^As defined in the NOM 006 Mexican Standards
Asian SpiritsArrackA traditioanl spirit made in India, Indonisia, and other Asian countires made from a fermented wash of plam sugar/palm sap or a mixture of rice and sugar cane.
Asian SpiritsBaijiuA traditional Chinese grain spirit, Baijiu ferments sorghum, rice, wheat, corn and or millet using Qu (a yeast and microbial culture) in solid-state before distillation. Post distillation baijiu may be bottled unaged or rested in clay or stainless steel containers.
Asian SpiritsFeniA traditional Indian spirit from Goa distilled from a fermented mash of palm sap or cashew fruit.
Asian SpiritsLambanogA traditional Filipino spirit distilled from a fermented wash of palm sap.
Asian SpiritsShochu - Multipul DistilledA traditional Japanese spirit distilled mulitiple times from a koji fermented mash of rice, barley, sweet potato, brown sugar, or buckwheat.
Asian SpiritsShochu - Single DistilledA traditional Japanese spirit distilled in a single pass from a koji fermented mash of rice, barley, sweet potato, brown sugar, or buckwheat.
Asian SpiritsSojuA traditional Korean spirit produced from discontinuous distillation to not more than 85% ABV of a fermented mash developed from the basic constituents of a starch source, yeast and water.
BrandyAged Fruit Brandy
(Other than grape or apple)
A brandy distilled to not more than 85% ABV from the fermented juice or mash of whole, sound, ripe other fruit or other fruit wine, with or without the addition of not more than 20 percent by weight of the pomace of such juice or wine, or 30 percent by volume of the lees of such wine, or both, aged in oak barrels, and bottled at not less than 40%ABV.
BrandyAged Grape BrandyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
BrandyApple Brandy / ApplejackAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
BrandyArmagnac^As defined By French Law
BrandyBlended ApplejackAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
BrandyCalvados^As defined By French Law
BrandyCognac^As defined By French Law
BrandyFlavored BrandyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
BrandyGrappa/Pomace/Marc BrandyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
BrandyNeutral BrandyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
BrandyPisco Chileno^As defined by Chilean Law
BrandyPisco Peru^As defined by Peruvian Law
BrandyUnaged Fruit BrandyAn unaged brandy distilled to not more than 85% ABV from the fermented juice or mash of whole, sound, ripe other fruit or other fruit wine, with or without the addition of not more than 20 percent by weight of the pomace of such juice or wine, or 30 percent by volume of the lees of such wine, or both, and bottled at not less than 40%ABV.
BrandyUnaged Grape BrandyAn unaged brandy distilled to not more than 85% ABV from the fermented juice or mash of whole, sound, ripe grapes or grape wine, with or without the addition of not more than 20 percent by weight of the pomace of such juice or wine, or 30 percent by volume of the lees of such wine, or both, and bottled at not less than 40%ABV.
GinAged GinAny gin rested/matured in new or used wood barrels.
GinClassic GinGin that derives its primary flavor from juniper, often described as London Dry.
GinCompound GinGin made from the blending of single botanical distillates including the distillate of juniper, or neutral spirit flavored with extracts.
GinContemporary Gin
(includes New Western and American Dry)
Gin that includes juniper but derives its primary flavors from other botanicals.
GinCordial GinAlso know as Gin Liqueur defined in the US Standards of Identity
GinFlavored GinAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
GinNavy-Strength GinGin bottled at or above 57% ABV.
GinOld Tom GinSugar sweetened, botanically sweetened, or botanically intense gin that may be rested in wood barrels.
GinSignature Botanical GinA gin that identifies a small number botanical other than juniper that is meant to be highlighted and take the forefront with juniper in a secondary role.
LiqueurCitrus LiqueurA liqueur flavored through distillation, maceration, and or extract of one or more citrus fruit peels, flesh, or juice.
LiqueurCoffee LiqueurA liqueur flavored through distillation, maceration, and or extract of coffee beans, grounds or brewed coffee.
LiqueurCream LiqueurA liqueur that includes the addition of cream.
LiqueurFruit LiqueurA liqueur flavored through distillation, maceration, and or extract of one or more fruit peels, flesh, or juice, that does not include citrus as the primary flavor.
LiqueurHerbal/Botanical/Spiced LiqueurA liqueur flavored with any number of herbs, botanicals, and or spices.
LiqueurNut LiqueurA liqueur flavored through distillation, maceration, and or extract with one or more tree nuts.
LiqueurOther LiqueurA liqueur that does not fit into any of the other liqueur categories, may include spirit liqueurs (rum, gin, whiskey etc.)
No/Low ABV0 ABV MixerAn alcohol free mixer such as tonic, bloody mary mix or batched mix meant to be combined with a spirit to prepare a cocktail.
No/Low ABVSpirit AlternativeAn alcohol free drink that may be flavored through distillation, maceration or other flavor additives meant to mimic a known spirit category or a novel base for an alcohol free cocktail.
Ready to DrinkReady to DrinkAny classic or novel cocktail such as spirits and or mixers that are pre-batched, requires no additional preparation and is expected to be enjoyed directly from the container.
Ready to DrinkReady to ServeAny classic or novel cocktail such as spirits and or mixers that are pre-batched that requires additional preparation such as chilling or dilution with ice or added garnish and served in a glass separate from the container.
SpecialtyAbsintheA spirit with a main characteristic derived from the combination of Grand Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Anis Seed (Pimpinella Anisum) produced by the distillation of spirits with Grand Wormwood, Fennel, Anis and other herbs and botanicals and bottled at not less than 45% ABV. No sugar may be added.
SpecialtyAperitif WineA wine that has been infused with botanicals and may be fortified with neutral brandy.
SpecialtyAquavitA distilled spirit that derives its main characteristic flavor from carraway or dill and bottled at no less than 40% ABV.
SpecialtyBier SchnappsA spirit distilled from beer made from malted barley and hops.
SpecialtyFlavored Somel (Honey Spirit)A spirit distilled from at least 51% honey to which any natural flavoring materials have been added, with or without the addition of sugar.
SpecialtyFortified WineA wine that has been fortified by adding neutral grape spirit, or brandy, to the wine during the production process.
SpecialtyGenever (Non-GI)A spirit distilled from a grain base with juniper and other botanicals, and may be blended with neutral spirit or may be rested in wood barrels.
SpecialtyJenever^A spirit made from the fermented mash of grains, usually rye, corn, barley, and wheat and distilled with juniper and other botanicals or made from a blend of malt spirt and botanical spirit. Genever may be contain up to 20g of sugar per liter and can only be produced in Belgium, The Netherlands, Departments Nord and Pas- de-Calais in France as well as German Bundesländer Nordrhein-Westfalen and Niedersachsen in Germany.
SpecialtyMoonshineAny spirit distilled from a fermented mash of sugar, grain, or a mixture of both that is also marketed as Moonshine. Moonshine may be aged and or flavored.
SpecialtyNon-potable BittersA cocktail additive, not meant for straight consumption, which is produced through extraction of various botanicals and bittering agents via alcohol or glycerin.
SpecialtyOther Specialty SpiritsSome other innovative spirit that does not fit any of the regular spirit categories.
SpecialtySomel (Honey Spirit)Somel is a spirit using only 100% honey as the primary fermentable substrate
SpecialtySotol^A distilled spirit made from Dasylirion wheeleri plant in the Mexican States of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Durango. The pinas are cooked in above ground ovens and distilled in column stills.
Sugar Cane SpiritAOC Martinique Rhum Agricole^As defined By French Law
Sugar Cane SpiritCachaça^As defined By Brazilian Law
Sugar Cane SpiritColumn Still RumA spirit distilled in a column still from the fermented juice of sugar cane, sugar cane syrup, sugar cane molasses, or other sugar cane by-products, to no more than 95% ABV and bottled at not less than 40% ABV. The spirit may be aged in oak barrels.
Sugar Cane SpiritFlavored RumAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
Sugar Cane SpiritNavy-Style RumA high ester rum produced through distillation and or blending and modeled after the British Navy Rum blend. Must be bottled at not less than 40% ABV.
Sugar Cane SpiritOverproof RumA rum bottled at not less than 57% ABV.
Sugar Cane SpiritPot Still RumA spirit distilled in a pot still from the fermented juice of sugar cane, sugar cane syrup, sugar cane molasses, or other sugar cane by-products, to no more than 95% ABV and bottled at not less than 40% ABV. The spirit may be aged in oak barrels.
Sugar Cane SpiritPot-Column Blended RumA spirit blended from distillates individually produced in pot and column stills from the fermented juice of sugar cane, sugar cane syrup, sugar cane molasses, or other sugar cane by-products, to no more than 95% ABV and bottled at not less than 40% ABV. The spirit may be aged in oak barrels.
Sugar Cane SpiritRhum ArrangéA traditional flavored rum originally from the French islands in the Indian Ocean, and Caribbean in which various ingredients such as leaves, fruits, seeds, rinds or spices have been macerated.
Sugar Cane SpiritSpiced RumA rum flavored though distillation, maceration of other flavoring additions of spices and bottled at not less than 40% ABV.
Sugar Cane SpiritSweet Cachaça^As defined By Brazilian Law
VodkaAged VodkaA vodka that has been rested or matured in a non-neutral wood barrel from which it extracts flavors and color.
VodkaBotanical VodkaA vodka that has been flavored through the distillation or maceration of real botanicals, not extracts. Any color is the result of post-distillation maceration of real botanicals.
VodkaFlavored VodkaAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
VodkaVodka - Neutral CharacterAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
VodkaVodka - Residual Base CharacterA spirit that has been distilled at or above 95% ABV in such away that it retains some residual flavor from its agricultural base.
WhiskeyAmerican Single Malt WhiskeyAs defined by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission
WhiskeyBlended Whiskey
(includes blended bourbon, blended straight whiskeys etc.)
As defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyBourbonAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyCorn WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyFlavored WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyInternational Single Malt WhiskyA whiskey distilled from a fermented mash of grain at less than 95% ABV. The whiskey must be stored in wooden barrels and bottled at not less then 40% ABV.
WhiskeyIrish Blended Whiskey^As defined in The Irish Whiskey Technical File
WhiskeyIrish Grain Whiskey^As defined in The Irish Whiskey Technical File
WhiskeyIrish Single Malt Whiskey^As defined in The Irish Whiskey Technical File
WhiskeyIrish Single Pot-Still Whiskey^As defined in The Irish Whiskey Technical File
WhiskeyJapanese Whisky^As defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association
WhiskeyLight WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyNon-typical WhiskeyA whiskey distilled from a fermented mash of at least 51% one non-typical grain (oats, millet, triticale etc.) or pseudocereal (amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa etc.) to not more then 80% ABV, stored in new charred oak barrels at not more than 62.5% ABV, and bottled at not less than 40% ABV.
WhiskeyRye WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyScottish Blended Malt Whisky^As defined in the Scotch Whisky Regulations
WhiskeyScottish Blended Whisky^As defined in the Scotch Whisky Regulations
WhiskeyScottish Grain Whisky^As defined in the Scotch Whisky Regulations
WhiskeyScottish Single Malt Whisky^As defined in the Scotch Whisky Regulations
WhiskeySpirit WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyTennessee WhiskeyAs defined in Tennessee State Law
WhiskeyUS Malt WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyWheat WhiskeyAs defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyWhiskey
(includes whiskey distilled from bourbon mash, rye mash etc.)
As defined in the US Standards of Identity
WhiskeyWhite WhiskeyA whiskey distilled from a fermented mash of grain at less than 95% ABV. The whiskey may be stored in oak barrels and bottled at not less then 40% ABV.

^Must comply with US, EU or other relevant international regulation.

If and international distillery so chooses, they may submit a grain spirit to be judged as a whiskey, as defined in the US Standards of Identity, even if the spirit cannot be labeled whiskey in its country of origin. However, ADI will not judge international grain spirits as a bourbon or Tennessee whisky.

 

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