The 2008 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition is an opportunity for sugar cane spirits to be judged in a format which has been in use since Edward Hamilton conducted the International Sugar Cane Spirits Tasting Competition in Ybor City in 2006.

Each spirit is judged on four qualities: aroma, initial taste, body and finish, by a panel of between 20 and 30 industry professionals including distillers, mixologists and spirits journalists who have demonstrated their expertise with sugar cane spirits. Each pirit is awarded up to 25 points for each of these attributes then given an overall score of 0 to 100 points by each judge. The scores for all of the spirits in each category are divided by the highest score in that category. Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals are awarded according to the natural grouping of the results.

In order to limit palate fatigue the tasting competition is divided into four sessions with at least one break during each session. During the breaks, the judges are encouraged to discuss anything other than the spirits they are tasting. During the tasting sessions the judges refrain from discussing anything including the spirits being tasted. Since there are at least 20 judges at each tasting session no one or two judges can influence the results ensuring that each spirit is judged on its own merit. Here is a partial list of 2008 judges.

In order to be as objective as possible, none of the judges are compensated for their travel or accommodation expenses during the competition. And there are no corporate sponsors for this competition. Edward Hamilton and the Ministry of Rum are solely responsible for the competition and the results.



Previous results:

2006 International Sugar Cane Spirits Tasting Competition
2007 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition

2008 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition mailing list Please use the link below to add your name to the Ministry of Rum mailing lists. Or Register on the Rum Lovers Forums and you'll be notified of new events sponsored by the Ministry of Rum.

If you would like to be considered as a judge for the 2008 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition, Register on the Rum Forums on this site, then send me an email telling me what qualifies you to be a judge.