About the awards
Winners will be announced in April 2023
The World Rum Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of rum.
We are in the midst of an extraordinary situation which is affecting those in the industry in a number of ways. However, we want to look to the future, and let you know what winning an award in the 2023 World Drinks Awards could mean for you and your business. Advertising is more important than ever, and a win at the World Drinks Awards equals direct advertising opportunities.
Winning helps consumers make their purchasing decisions. It can be hard to pick from the hundreds of products lining the shelves; but as an award winner, you will stand out You will receive logos and certificates free of charge, to use as you wish to promote your win and your product.
Every entrant receives… A personalized World Rum Awards tasting note
Invitation to the World Rum Awards final round tasting in London
Winners receive…
Extensive coverage on World Rum Awards.com
High resolution logos
International, regional and national coverage targeting rums consumers and trade buyers
Boxed set: inclusion in the World rum Awards boxed set, featuring the winners
Point of sale materials including: stickers and collarets with your award in corporate collars
All country and world winners are featured in the annual Best Spirits publication
Medals, Certificates and Trophies receive…
Medal, certificate and logo pack
Country certificate and logo pack
World Style certificate and logo pack
World’s Best Trophies, certificate and logo pack
Icons of Drinks
Welcome to the Icons of Rum
We are delighted to say that the Icons of Rum are now open for entries and introduce our new online entry system. You can simply make your applications through your customer profile.
The Icons of Rum Awards are a celebration of the years of hard work that go into every bottle. From the distillers themselves and brand ambassadors, to visitor centre managers, bars, bar tenders and the industry’s communicators – a great deal of craftsmanship, skill and knowledge are imparted at each stage of the process. This is our way of saying thank you to the individuals and producers for their dedication to each innovative release, visitor experience or expert retail service, delivered in a tireless fashion.
A list of rates, categories and definitions can be found here
Entry Deadline for Online Applications – 10 March 2023
Taste categories
Rums/Rhums made from freshly pressed sugarcane juice or syrup produced from a sugarcane juice reduction. The competition recognises that Agricole Rhum is an EU-protected term applicable to Rhum/Rum from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, French Guyana, Reunion, and Madeira; and further recognises that Rums produced from fresh sugarcane juice & syrup are produced throughout the world.
Unaged
5 Years & under
6 to 10 Years old
11 Years & older
Solera
Solera / Average Age
No Age Statement
Are taken as being distillates produced from sugarcane juice that has been fresh-pressed and not treated in any way or form. Distillation using a pot still or traditional column stills is assumed.
Unaged
5 Years & under
6 to 10 Years old
11 Years & older
Solera
Solera / Average Age
No Age Statement
Can include single-column, twin or multi-column systems and refers to a continuous distillation set-up.
Unaged
5 Years & under
6 to 10 Years old
11 Years & older
Solera
Solera / Average Age
No Age Statement
Flavoured rums following non-traditional (mainstream) and /or with more subtle flavour profiles.
Full flavoured rums with a single predominant ingredient, such as pineapple, coconut, and coffee. This does not include rum arrangements. Minimum ABV 37.5%
Distillation set-up that comprises a pot still and a distinct column selection directly attached and configured such that spirit production can be completed in a single pass. Still included.
Unaged
5 Years & under
6 to 10 Years old
11 Years & older
Solera
Solera / Average Age
No Age Statement
Refers to a blend of batch and continuous distillation types, irrespective of the proportions or origin.
Unaged
5 Years & under
6 to 10 Years old
11 Years & older
Solera
Solera / Average Age
No Age Statement
Refers to batch distillation only. Still modifications such as extra rectification plates (sometimes known as column sections) can be included in this category.
Unaged
5 Years & under
6 to 10 Years old
11 Years & older
Solera
Solera / Average Age
No Age Statement
Rum produced from unrefined evaporated sugarcane juice, also known as rapadura and panela (with regional variation in spelling acknowledged)
Flavoured rum with ingredients that are predominantly flavoured using these key components: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, ginger, clove and pimento/all-spice
Design categories
The overall design of the glass or PET bottle: shape, colour, functionality and any embossing, decorative finishes, coatings or direct printed elements as well as visual appeal.
This includes all aspects of on-bottle brand/product communication, including the application of any direct printing onto bottle, capsule or closure, as well as paper and film labels and sleeves. The pack will be judged on the overall design and quality of materials, print, decoration and application.
This category applies to pack designs where the number produced was limited, such as for a special production, occasion or season.
Packaging for a new product launched after February 1, 2019.
This applies to the secondary, outer, presentation packaging, such as cartons, boxes, cases, plinths, chests etc. The presentation will be judged on the overall effect with the bottle in place.
This is a packaging design that carries through and unites a range or ‘family’ of different products from one producer or brand.
This category refers to a new or refreshed packaging design created for an existing product and introduced to the market after February 1, 2019. A picture or sample of the previous packaging must be supplied along with a description of what changes have been made and why
Packaging created specifically for sale in the duty-free / travel retail market
The judging process
TASTE
The taste judging is held in three rounds.
Round 1
Each rum is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners. Judges making up the World rum Awards panel include international, leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts.
Round 2
Style winners are tasted against each other to identify the ‘World's Best’ rum in each category.
DESIGN
All DESIGN judging is conducted by a panel of leading international design experts.
For each entry, the following quantities should be supplied
- Taste only – 3 bottles
- Design only – 2 bottles
- Taste and Design – 3 bottles
Shipping
Brexit and shipping from Europe
Customs Declarations will be required from 1 January 2021 for shipments between Great Britain and the European Union (and vice-versa). Although the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement refers to 'zero tariffs' (zero customs duties), this doesn't replace the need to generate a Customs Declaration and so a Commercial or Pro-forma Invoice is required. The trade deal only applies to Customs duties, meaning that in most cases Customs duties will not be applied to goods fulfilling all necessary "rules of origin" requirements. However, VAT will still be levied. Customs declarations are therefore required for goods to clear the border, as the UK will have left the single market and the customs union. Country-specific restrictions will still be in place and any associated licences will also be required.
If you have any queries regarding the shipment of your samples, please get in touch via email info@worlddrinksawards.com with subject line ‘World Drinks Awards shipping query’
Shipping Deadline (Product needs to be received by): January 31, 2023
Our delivery facility is open for entries. All samples should be delivered to Norwich, UK.
Ensure your products are packed securely.
Print the packaging slip from your online profile for each product
Complete the Quantity and ML specification
Attached the pack slip to the outside of the box if possible, if not please include in the box
If you have multiple entries per box, please attached all pack slips to the outside of the box
The pack slip is not a customs document.
If you have also entered your products into design, no additional product needs to be provided.
Quantities required
3 bottles of each product entered should be supplied with a minimum volume of 500ml
(For premix – please use beer specifications)
For DESIGN ONLY
If you have only entered design, 2 bottles of each should be provided.
We are delighted to introduce our new shipping system which. You can then ship your entries straight through our own booking system in conjunction with DHL. For a set shipping fee, we get your shipment booked in and arrange for pick up. This fee will then cover any duties as well.
When you are shipping your entries yourself, please ensure that all customs, clearance and any associated costs have been paid. If these are not paid, World Beer Awards can either not accept the entries or will have to invoice any costs occurred, including a £25.00 administration fee. All duty invoices will come directly from our accounts team.
Rates
Entry fees
| Note: price is for each entry |
|---|
| | 1 entry | 2 entries | 3 entries | 4+ entries |
|---|
| Sterling |
| Taste & Design | £260 + VAT | £245 + VAT | £235 + VAT | £220 + VAT |
| Design | £184 + VAT | £174 + VAT | £164 + VAT | £159 + VAT |
| Taste or Design | £184 + VAT | £174 + VAT | £164 + VAT | £159 + VAT |
| Euro |
| Taste & Design | €325 | €315 | €305 | €295 |
| Design | €215 | €210 | €205 | €200 |
| Taste or Design | €215 | €210 | €205 | €200 |
| USD |
| Taste & Design | $430 | $415 | $400 | $385 |
| Design | $290 | $280 | $270 | $260 |
| Taste or Design | $290 | $280 | $270 | $260 |
| Canadian Dollar |
| Taste & Design | $490 | $475 | $460 | $445 |
| Design | $335 | $325 | $315 | $305 |
| Taste or Design | $335 | $325 | $315 | $305 |
Terms & conditions
Products must be sent by prepaid post and be received by the Shipping Date listed.
Entries are only accepted on a completed online entry form with the appropriate entry fee.
If an entry is withdrawn by the Due Date (or disqualified), the entry fee will be returned subject to an administration charge of 50% of the entry fee. Products will be made available for collection at the entrant’s expense or retained by the Organiser if not collected within eight weeks of the Due Date. Due Date is the entry deadline.
If an entry is withdrawn after the Due Date, no refunds will be given. This includes entries for which product has not been received.
Payment in full is required before judging commences.
Substitutions of entries is possible, but needs to be communicated to the World Drinks Awards prior to the Due Date.
If you are shipping your entries yourself, please ensure that all customs, clearance and any associated costs have been paid in advance. If these costs are not paid, the World Drinks Awards will invoice any costs occurred, including a £25.00 administration fee. If these costs remain unpaid, the World Drinks Awards are unable to accept the entries.
The judges’ decision on all matters is final.
The Organisers may, at their discretion, refuse to accept an entry.
The Organisers may alter the closing date for the awards, place an entry in the most appropriate style, rule that an entry may not compete or is ineligible to compete, or alter the date, time or place on or at which the awards are scheduled to take place.
The Chair of Judges has the power to disqualify any entry not deemed as meeting the entry criteria.
These rules are governed by the laws of the UK.
Please note: bottles are unable to be returned. Our policy on unreturned bottles is as follows:
o Opened bottles may be poured at trade and consumer events to promote the individual brand, or included in a charity bottling, the proceeds of which are distributed to charity.
o Closed bottles may be distributed to individual charities on a case by basis, or presented for auction, all proceeds of which are distributed to charity.