The Bar Journal

2021 Spirited Awards Nominations open NOW – up to the JUNE 2nd!

Nominate here: Tales Of The Cocktail 2021

In 2021, the Spirited Awards will move forward with awarding key categories that could still be equitably judged during an unprecedented year: Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, Pioneer Award, Timeless U.S. Award, Timeless International Award, and the (5) awards within the Writing and Media categories. 

Nominations for Writing & Media categories as well as for the Pioneer Award will be open from May 10th – June 2nd. The Top 10 list for Writing & Media categories will be announced via the Digital Playbill on August 23rd, 2021. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation will debut the Spirited Awards Map along with the Digital Playbill on August 23, 2021, highlighting almost 1,000 bars and 14 years of honorees and winners. 

The Spirited Awards will not be awarding the following categories: U.S./International Bars, U.S./International New Cocktail Bar, U.S./International Bartender,  U.S./International Bar Team, U.S./International Brand Ambassador, U.S./International Mentor, World’s Best Bar, World’s Best Cocktail Menu, World’s Best Spirits Selection, Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient or Philanthropy Award.

Due to bar closures, differing timelines of COVID government shutdowns, global travel restrictions in 2020, and given that a majority of Spirited Awards categories are judged annually based on the nominee’s body of work for the year prior, there was no fair opportunity for judges to experience and evaluate these categories. 

In addition to the limited awards presentation this year, the Spirited Awards will also conduct a series of regional discussions with the global network of 19 Regional Co-Chairs and over 200 Regional Committee Members to identify voices in each Spirited Awards region to identify both existing trends over the past year that have shaped the way the industry has adapted from COVID-19, as well as emerging trends poised to push the spirits community forward. These narratives will be shared at this year’s digital conference during a special series of roundtables, debuted in a special segment at the Spirited Awards Ceremony, and shared via social media through the end of the year.

The Spirited Awards have always been about celebrating excellence in the drinks industry. While reflecting on 2020 presents a difficult climate for the notion of excellence, it simultaneously presents a pivotal moment for global reflection of hard work and perseverance. As our industry persevered through the government shutdowns and travel restrictions across the globe in 2020, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and the Spirited Awards Co-Chairs came to the difficult, but necessary, a decision that there would be no fair way to honor every award category for 2021.

While reflecting on 2020 presents a difficult climate for the notion of excellence, we still have so much to celebrate as a community! The 2021 #SpiritedAwards are moving forward with nominations for key categories that could still be equitably judged during an unprecedented year. As a 2021 [Grants Committee/ Spirited Awards Co-Chair/ Education Committee Member]

We invite you to join us in honoring the excellence in our industry by casting your nomination for the following:

Pioneer Award

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series.

Learn more about the changes to this year’s Spirited Awards process at @talesofthecocktail.

The 2021 Spirited Awards will not be recognizing any other award categories due to bar closures, differing timelines of COVID government shutdowns, global travel restrictions in 2020, and given that a majority of Spirited Awards categories are judged annually based on the nominee’s body of work for the year prior, there was no fair opportunity for judges to experience and evaluate these categories.

Acknowledge the writers and bar professionals whom YOU think are making a change in the industry through a nomination today!

Salute!

ITALSPIRTIS Team

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