Master winner Planter’s Punch had “amazing texture from real fruit, some subtle spice and dark rum, with a lovely delivery on nose and palate”, Perez Terrado noted. Gold medallist Mezcal Mirror Margarita offered a “wonderful smoky nose”, with “salt and lime” on the palate. Judges enjoyed Gold-winning Vacay’s Paloma hints of “grapefruit, lime and soda”, while fellow Gold-holder Curatif Tequila Tromba Margarita was praised for its “gentle herbaceousness”, with “lime and Tequila notes coming through”. The “super-zingy and refreshing” Tommy’s Chilli Margarita scored a Gold after it was enjoyed for having a “really enticing chilli heat on the palate”. Seven Silver medallists were also discovered. Eichler said of the round: “A couple of incredible and well thought-out products – sometimes simplicity is best where you taste the base spirit.” Uncle Nearest co-founder and CEO Fawn Weaver said: “We tiptoed into the UK several years ago, but our astronomical sales in the U.S. have made it quite difficult to send enough of our award-winning Bourbon to the UK to make any real impact. We are changing that in 2023. The final round of the day was Hard Seltzers, with five Golds awarded to White Sands Lime, Mont-Rouge Seltzer Mango Yuzu, White Sands Berry and Phunk. Mont-Rouge Seltzer Mango Yuzu was enjoyed for its “green mango with chilli salt aroma, and light yuzu citrus”, while White Sands Berry was likened to “fizzy Ribena with a confected berry flavour”. Phunk offered “light but fresh ginger”, while White Sands Lime had a “crisp and light palate”.

Today, it has established itself as the latest big spirit category to be discovered that shows no signs of slowing down. People may know mezcal as Tequila’s smoky cousin, but “smoky” only scratches the surface of this amazingly artisanal spirit.

The Vegan flight saw Creamy Creation (B2B) secure a Master for its Coconut Winter Melon Concept, which particularly impressed Craft, who said: “Creamy coconut milk with a gorgeous light toasted nuttiness, just sweet enough. But the hero is the subtle fruitiness of the melon which is different in the very best way.” Creamy Creation (B2B) also took home a Gold for its Oats Spicy Coffee Concept, said to be “very indulgent” with “honeyed cereal aromas”. As with every competition, the judges had the tough decision of retasting all the Master medallists to choose the product worthy of the Taste Master title. Two Master medals followed in the Whisky-Based flight. Starward’s (New) Old Fashioned took the top award, described as an “excellent Old Fashioned – delicious and sweet” with “great body and length”.

The collection started as five blends: the Picante, Pepino, Pepino Ruso, Tucci and Espresso Martini, but the range has now extended to include Island Punch, Hail Mary, Torino, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Passionfruit and Lychee Martini’s. Alongside non-alcoholic blends Forest Picante and Seaweed Pepino, and limited-edition seasonal specials. The brewer has released Little Swine Low Alcohol 2.8% ABV beer on draught and bottle, and a new Little Swine 0.5% ABV bottled beer, both of which are gluten free.

Durling added: “Although mezcal is booming, there is a concern it will fall victim to industrial processes to keep up with demand, which would go against the core ethos of the craftsmanship of mezcal. Matt Chambers, co-founder of the Whisky for Everyone blog and the North London Whisky Club, chaired the fourth panel. His team included: Sara Jane Eichler, founder of the Negroni Club UK; and Herchelle Perez Terrado, director of Drinks Partnership. An expert team of judges gathered at the Ibis Styles in London’s Southwark for the tasting Spirit-based RTDs – particularly vodka-based variants – held 45% of the category volume share in 2021 in the 10 markets surveyed, and were driving “the lion’s share of innovation”, the IWSR noted. To assess the large number of products on the market, The Spirits Business held its Pre-mixed & RTD Masters last month. Similar to wine, each bottle reflects the unique terroir of the region where it was distilled, with each producer using their own artisan methods.

The perfect introduction to the Oaxaca spirit, Mezcal Copita is crafted with Mezcal Unión Uno to give a touch of smoke alongside a combination of fresh pineapple and Campari. Combined with a hit of citrus and grapefruit bitters.

Rum-based RTDs were put to the test next, where three Masters were awarded. The first went to Curatif Piña Colada, which impressed Chambers, who said: “Fresh pineapple with a good glug of rum, a hint of coconut on the nose, and a pinch of spice. Lovely mouthfeel with tangy pineapple and the coconut rum gives good power and structure. Delicious and creamy.”