Red carpet ready: the Asia Luxury and Gin Masters 2024
Cecilia Wong reveals which spirits had star quality at the drinks business Asia Luxury and Gin Masters 2024. The post Red carpet ready: the Asia Luxury and Gin Masters 2024 appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Cecilia Wong reveals which spirits had star quality at the drinks business Asia Luxury and Gin Masters 2024.
It is the sheer diversity that makes the world of spirits so interesting. Each spirit, from whisky to Cognac, vodka or gin, has its own characteristics. Contemporary spirits, craft spirits, organic or premium, all contribute to what makes each expression unique.
In 2024, the drinks business Asia’s Luxury Masters and Gin Masters competitions have covered different spirits under various categories. The Luxury Masters considered entries including vodka, gin, and whisky from the United Kingdom and Australia, ranging from the super-premium to ultra-premium categories. To be named as a luxury spirit, it’s all about craftsmanship, from using the finest ingredients to artisanal production and unique bottling.
Gin is still popular, with an increasing number of creations leaning towards intriguing and contemporary styles For the Gin Masters, we have expressions from Ireland, the Netherlands, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia, ranging from London Dry, organic, contemporary, flavoured, and premium to super-premium.
Fourteen spirits were blind tasted by a panel of expert judges across the Luxury and Gin Masters competitions, showcasing fascinating and diverse expressions, and the results were promising.
The Luxury Masters garnered four Gold awards and three Silver awards, while two Gold medals and four Silver medals were awarded in the Gin Masters.
This year’s panel of judges included Cecilia Wong, the co-chair of the drinks business Asia Masters; Lok Cheung, the bar manager of Hong Kong’s Coa; and Kai Ng, the bar manager of Quinary, also in Hong Kong.
Archie Rose Distilling Co. triumphed in the Luxury Masters. Among the four Gold awards in this competition, one went to Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin, from Australia, under the super-premium category (price range HK$400-HK$450). The liquid boasted “floral, citrus, spices and pine notes”.
Judge Lok Cheung said: “The aromas are approachable, and the body is intense. It’s balanced, and the finish is good. It’s beautiful.”
Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin also won a Gold medal. The expression, judged under the ultra-premium category (price range HK$450-HK$500), exhibited “floral, coriander seeds and ginger notes”.
“It’s pleasant, and the palate is good. It’s a good gin with this pricing,” said Ng. Continuing on a theme, Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky won the third Gold medal at this year’s Luxury Masters. The expression was judged under the world whisky super-premium category (price range HK$600-HK$650). The whisky offered “toasty, dried fruit, spices and caramel notes”.
The final Gold award went to Archie Rose Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky, under the world whisky ultra-premium category (price range HK$1,000-HK$1,500), showcasing “honey, dried fruit, toasty and nutty notes”.
“It’s balanced, rich and rounded with a long and lingering finish. It’s a wonderful nightcap choice,” said Wong.
Moving onto the Gin Masters, the judges gave one Gold award to 1689 Dutch Dry Gin, from the Netherlands, under the super premium category (price range HK$350-HK$400), with “earthy, citrus and minty notes”. Ng described the nose as “distinctive” and the palate good, with some interesting peppermint notes.
In the flavoured gin category (price range HK$350-HK$400), Rutland Square Gin from the UK won a Gold award in the competition, with its “earthy, dried tea leaves, and dried orange peel notes”. “It’s quite exotic, balanced, clean and sharp with an oriental touch,” said Cheung.
It is the sheer diversity that makes the world of spirits so interesting. Each spirit, from whisky to Cognac, vodka or gin, has its own characteristics. Contemporary spirits, craft spirits, organic or premium, all contribute to what makes each expression unique.
In 2024, the drinks business Asia’s Luxury Masters and Gin Masters competitions have covered different spirits under various categories. The Luxury Masters considered entries including vodka, gin, and whisky from the United Kingdom and Australia, ranging from the super-premium to ultra-premium categories. To be named as a luxury spirit, it’s all about craftsmanship, from using the finest ingredients to artisanal production and unique bottling.
Gin is still popular, with an increasing number of creations leaning towards intriguing and contemporary styles For the Gin Masters, we have expressions from Ireland, the Netherlands, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia, ranging from London Dry, organic, contemporary, flavoured, and premium to super-premium.
Fourteen spirits were blind tasted by a panel of expert judges across the Luxury and Gin Masters competitions, showcasing fascinating and diverse expressions, and the results were promising.
The Luxury Masters garnered four Gold awards and three Silver awards, while two Gold medals and four Silver medals were awarded in the Gin Masters.
This year’s panel of judges included Cecilia Wong, the co-chair of the drinks business Asia Masters; Lok Cheung, the bar manager of Hong Kong’s Coa; and Kai Ng, the bar manager of Quinary, also in Hong Kong.
Archie Rose Distilling Co. triumphed in the Luxury Masters. Among the four Gold awards in this competition, one went to Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin, from Australia, under the super-premium category (price range HK$400-HK$450). The liquid boasted “floral, citrus, spices and pine notes”.
Judge Lok Cheung said: “The aromas are approachable, and the body is intense. It’s balanced, and the finish is good. It’s beautiful.”
Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin also won a Gold medal. The expression, judged under the ultra-premium category (price range HK$450-HK$500), exhibited “floral, coriander seeds and ginger notes”.
“It’s pleasant, and the palate is good. It’s a good gin with this pricing,” said Ng. Continuing on a theme, Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky won the third Gold medal at this year’s Luxury Masters. The expression was judged under the world whisky super-premium category (price range HK$600-HK$650). The whisky offered “toasty, dried fruit, spices and caramel notes”.
The final Gold award went to Archie Rose Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky, under the world whisky ultra-premium category (price range HK$1,000-HK$1,500), showcasing “honey, dried fruit, toasty and nutty notes”.
“It’s balanced, rich and rounded with a long and lingering finish. It’s a wonderful nightcap choice,” said Wong.
Moving onto the Gin Masters, the judges gave one Gold award to 1689 Dutch Dry Gin, from the Netherlands, under the super premium category (price range HK$350-HK$400), with “earthy, citrus and minty notes”. Ng described the nose as “distinctive” and the palate good, with some interesting peppermint notes.
In the flavoured gin category (price range HK$350-HK$400), Rutland Square Gin from the UK won a Gold award in the competition, with its “earthy, dried tea leaves, and dried orange peel notes”. “It’s quite exotic, balanced, clean and sharp with an oriental touch,” said Cheung.
The Asian Luxury Masters 2024
| Company | Product Name | Medal |
| Vodka Super-Premium HK$350-HKS400 | ||
| Royal Mash | Royal Mash Vodka 2020 | Silver |
| Gin Super-Premium HKS350-HKS400 | ||
| Tiger Gin | Tiger Gin | Silver |
| Gin Super-Premium HKS400-HKS450 | ||
| Archie Rose Distilling Co. | Signature Dry Gin | Gold |
| Gin Ultra-Premium HKS450-HKS500 | ||
| Archie Rose Distilling Co. | Bone Dry Gin | Gold |
| World Whisky Super-Premium HKS600-HKS650 | ||
| Archie Rose Distilling Co. | Rye Malt Whisky | Gold |
| Archie Rose Distilling Co. | Single Malt Whisky | Silver |
| World Whisky Ultra-Premium HK$1,000-HK$1,500 | ||
| Archie Rose Distilling Co. | Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky | Gold |
The Asian Luxury Masters 2024
| Company | Product Name | Medal |
| Super-premium HK$350-HKS400 | ||
| Gin 1689 | 1689 Dutch Dry Gin | Gold |
| London Dry HK$350-HKS400 | ||
| Woodward Fergus James | Shanghai Craft Gin | Silver |
| Contemporary HKS350-HKS400 | ||
| Downton Distillery | Great Bustard Gin | Silver |
| Torre London | London Mate Dry Gin | Silver |
| Organic 300-HK$350 | ||
| Pluto Spirits | Pluto Gin | Silver |
| Flavoured Gin HKS350-HKS400 | ||
| Rosslyn Distillery | Rutland Square Gin | Gold |
