Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles: A Global Benchmark for Spirits

Between September 3 and 5, 2024, the “Spirits Selection” of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) was held in Renhuai, China, bringing together international experts to reward spirits from around the world.

Florence de Coriolis, Rum Brand Manager at Grays Inc. Ltd, represented Mauritius as part of the jury and witnessed the “New Grove Rum 42˚5 Years Old” from Grays Inc. Ltd win the Grand Gold Medal in its molasses rum category and the mention of “Revelation” in the competition.

Main Criteria Guiding the Jury

The “Spirits Selection” has become a global benchmark that rewards spirit drinks from around the world, with a panel of internationally recognized experts evaluating and classifying various spirits, including whisky, cognacs, brandies, rums, vodka, gins, piscos, grappas, baijiu, and tequila.

The criteria guiding the jury include visual, clarity, nose, taste, aroma intensity, alcohol balance, authenticity, length, complexity, attack, and finish, among others, with very detailed criteria graded from 0 to 100, along with precise tasting notes, allowing for the awarding of different types of medals.

Trends in the Spirits Industry

As a spirits industry professional, Florence de Coriolis noticed a beautiful presence and variety in the rums, with three flights out of 16 dedicated to this category.

Gin, whether London Dry, Distilled or flavored, remains a fashionable spirit, precisely because of its aromatic diversity.

Another trend that has been growing is artisanal Mezcal, with authenticity being an important criterion in the competition, and consumers increasingly educated about their drink, making transparency about origin, traceability, and environmental impact crucial.

Effects of the Competition on Participating Spirits Producers and Brands

The Dewis Wirowydd medal from CMB is highly influential for commercial development, as it guarantees quality, with the Spirits Selection by the CMB jury including experts from around 40 nations, carefully selected and responsible for awarding medals to the best spirits.

Each sample is carefully examined by a panel of judges of different ages, tastes, specialisms, experiences, and nationalities, with a debriefing at the end of each flight confirming the quality of the product and providing comments to guide the producer on areas for improvement.

Experience in Renhuai, China

Renhuai City, located in the northwest of Guizhou Province in China, has been designated as the “Baijiu City of China” and recognized as the main production area of baijiu Flavor Sauce.

Florence de Coriolis had the privilege of discovering baiju distilleries located mainly in the Maotai region, as well as the knowledge and techniques of their ancestors, with the organization of the competition highlighting the Chinese cultural aspect, making the experience unforgettable.