The Ultimate Awards is excited to announce and launch its very second blind tasting competition. WSET Level III Spirits Judges will participate & determine the best of the best in this fantastic competition at the 2026 Miami Rum Congress.
During this competition, we will keep things basic and only offer five categories. More details follow below.
Updated: 2/12/2026
JUDGES
Our Five Categories:
Blind Tasting – Sipping Rum
Flavoured Rums
Blind Tasting – Sipping Rum
Aged 8+ Years
Blind Tasting – Sipping Rum
Unaged
Blind Tasting – Sipping Rum
Aged 1–3 Years
Blind Tasting – Sipping Rum
Aged 4–7 Years
Dates:
a) Registration: Nov. 1st, 2025 – Jan. 10th, 2026 | Extended until Jan. 19th**
b) Deadline: All products must arrive at our warehouse in Tampa, Florida, by Jan. 20th, 2026 | Extended until Jan. 22nd, 2026**
c) Competition: February 5th, 2026
d) Pre-publication of Results: Evening of Feb 6th, 2026
e) Official Publication of Results: Feb 12th, 2026
Judges:
A total of 6-12 judges with vast experience in the spirits category, especially the rum category, will be participating as part of the panel. Each judge must have 8+ years in the spirits industry.
What will winners receive?
a) Image of a digital medallion. (a Medallion can be requested at an extra cost. )
b) Two-year license to use the image of the award on their bottles, website, and marketing outlets. (Afterward, a yearly $15 donation will be requested.)
Terms:
– Rums will be assessed according to age statements. If there is no age statement or a solera system, please classify your rum based on the youngest aged rum in your blend.
– Brands don’t need to participate in the Miami Rum Congress to be in the competition.
– We understand and agree to The Ultimate Awards’ terms and conditions. I also understand that it’s my brand’s responsibility to send the product on time and that any products received after the due date will be disqualified.
– I understand that my product needs to arrive in The Ultimate Awards warehouse in either Fort Myers or Miami, FL, between Jan 10th and Jan 20th, 2026.
– Please continue to visit our website for any updates to our terms & conditions.
– Only one bottle per expression needs to be shipped.
– Incase you would like to quote shipping cost, please consider using the following address: “City: Fort Myers; State or Country: United States; and Zip Code: 33901.” The official shipping address will be provided once payment is received.
