From inauspicious beginnings in 1989, where original Chefs and Food & Beverage Directors gathered in the basement of La Reserve restaurant in New York, the World Beverage Championships has grown to an international judging organization that conducts judgings year-round. Over 200 product categories in Wine & Spirits are judged annually by On-Premise Buyers and Food & Beverage Directors.

Unlike other beverage judging organizations, the World Beverage Championships are unique in that they only bestow one Gold Medal per category. For example, only one Single Malt Scotch. In order for a product to take over the category it must first win average 9-10 scores in a triple blind judging. In the event of a tie, a company is offered first right of refusal to participate in the Gold Medal program. If they forfeit, another winning product may be offered the Gold Medal for the category.

The value of our Gold Medal is in the veracity of our Tasting Panel and our strict adherence to Judging Protocols.