Early Bird
Deadline
February 20, 2025
Judging
Date
July 27, 2025
Winners
Announcement
August 12, 2025
Distilleries aiming to boost their visibility and connect with top industry professionals have an exciting opportunity this year! The 2025 USA Spirits Ratings competition is offering early entrants a free showcase spot at the prestigious 2025 International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (IBWSS) in San Francisco, scheduled for July 29-30, 2025.
To qualify for this exclusive offer, wineries must enter the USA Spirits Ratings by December 20, 2024.
This dual opportunity allows Distilleries to win recognition at a renowned competition while showcasing their Spirits to key buyers, distributors, and decision-makers at one of the most influential trade shows in the Spirits industry.
The USA Spirits Ratings is a unique competition designed to evaluate Spirits based on quality, value, and packaging, providing a 360-degree assessment of their marketability.
The USA Spirits Ratings is the only Spirits Competition in the USA that is focused on independent, regional, and national retailers. It is designed to recognize and reward Spirits that are not only high in quality but also deliver value and packaging that appeal to consumers. To ensure a fair and transparent judging process, the competition evaluates entries across three key criteria: Quality, Value, and Package.
Judges work in groups to assess Spirits against the three criteria: Quality, Value, and Packaging. Each spirits is scored on a 100-point scale, with points allocated based on the respective weights of the criteria. Judges provide comments to highlight the key attributes of top-scoring Spirits. USA Spirits Ratings judges are top trade buyers and Masters of Spirits. Get key feedback from these top buyers and grow your brand in the off-premise channels of the USA.
The 2025 Judging panel will include national and regional buyers from Liquor Stores USA, Trader Joe's, Total Wine & More, Giant Eagle, Inc., Albertsons to spirits buyers from craft and independent spirits bottle shops in the USA.
The International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (IBWSS) is a premier trade event held annually in San Francisco, bringing together the global Spirits and spirits industry under one roof. Known as the go-to platform for bulk Spirits, private label, and bottled Spirits sourcing, IBWSS attracts Distilleries, distilleries, importers, distributors, retailers, and brokers from around the world. With a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation, the event offers unmatched networking opportunities, insightful seminars led by industry leaders, and a showcase of high-quality products tailored to meet diverse market needs. Whether you're looking to scale your business, discover new suppliers, or explore private label opportunities, IBWSS is the ultimate destination for trade professionals.
International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (IBWSS) is also organized by the Beverage Trade Network and happens at the South San Francisco Conference Centre. The very next day after the USA Wine Rating’s judging is done.
The USA Spirits Ratings (USR) Entrants Pavilion at the International Bulk Spirits & Spirits Show (IBWSS) provides a powerful platform for Distilleries to present their Spirits to a global audience of trade professionals. Here’s how the pavilion operates for 2025 entrants:
1. Enter your Spirits in USA Spirits Ratings before December 20, 2024: Upon entering the 2025 USA Spirits Ratings, all participants will qualify to show the Spirits they wish to showcase at the IBWSS in San Francisco. The USA Spirits Ratings team will use the extra sample bottles for the showcase.
2. USR Team Handles Logistics: The USA Spirits Ratings team will take care of the additional sample bottles submitted by entrants and ensure they are featured in the USR Entrants Pavilion at the IBWSS.
3. Your Brand on Display: Your Spirits bottles, along with detailed brand and product information, will be displayed in the USA Spirits Ratings Entrants Pavilion—a dedicated self-pour, walk-around area designed for trade buyers, including distributors, retailers, and private label buyers.
4. Guided by Industry Experts: The pavilion will be managed by Spirits experts and IBWSS staff, who will engage with buyers, educate them about the USA Spirits Ratings, and explain why these Spirits have been chosen to represent excellence in the industry.
This initiative provides unmatched exposure to decision-makers actively sourcing Spirits for their portfolios, helping your brand stand out in a competitive market while leveraging the credibility of a USA Spirits Ratings medal.
USA Spirits Ratings Judging
1. Increased Visibility and Awareness: Participating in the USA Spirits Ratings Entrants Pavilion at the International Bulk Spirits & Spirits Show (IBWSS) 2025 offers unparalleled exposure for your Spirits to a global audience of trade professionals. As one of the most influential trade shows in the industry, IBWSS attracts top-tier buyers, including distributors, importers, and private label specialists, providing an ideal platform for showcasing your products.
2. Cost Savings: By registering your Spirits for the USA Spirits Ratings before December 20, 2024, you can secure a complimentary listing at the IBWSS Entrants Pavilion. This exclusive benefit eliminates the $250 per Spirits showcase fee, while also saving on additional shipping costs, ensuring a cost-effective way to present your Spirits to trade buyers.
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With the combined prestige of the USA Spirits Ratings and the exposure at IBWSS 2025, listing your Spirits at the entrant's pavilion is an excellent opportunity to build brand recognition, forge new trade relationships, and increase your market reach.
Act Now! Enter the 2025 USA Spirits Ratings by December 20, 2024, to secure your free showcase at IBWSS San Francisco. This is your chance to achieve recognition, build connections, and expand your market presence.
Also Read:
BTS Chat with Bruce Abbott, President at Liquor Stores USA North Inc. & USA Spirits Ratings Judge
How To Grow Your Distribution, Build Your Brand, and Sell More Cases In 2025.
Conversation with Zachary Taylor, Bar Manager at 83 Proof & USA Spirits Ratings Judge
Get rated by Quality, Value, and Packaging by the top trade buyers in the USA. Here is how to enter.