The New Orleans Spirits Competition (NOSC) is one of the newest yet most distinctive additions to the global spirits awards circuit. Established in 2022, the competition was founded by Andrew Faulkner, Matthew Sharpe, and Wayne Curtis—three industry veterans united by a shared vision: to create a world-class spirits competition that reflected the unique heritage and cultural richness of New Orleans, a city globally revered for its cocktail legacy. Presented in partnership with the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, the competition is now a key feature of the annual Tales of the Cocktail conference, drawing wide industry attention and participation.
What sets the New Orleans Spirits Competition apart is its fusion of rigorous technical judging with a celebratory, public-facing spirit that mirrors its host city. The competition features both private blind tasting evaluations and a live, final championship round conducted in front of an audience—offering an unprecedented level of transparency and engagement. Its judging panel includes a diverse lineup of expert palates: top bartenders, master distillers, respected spirits writers, and educators. This combination of blind precision and open deliberation gives NOSC a credibility that appeals to both producers and the broader trade.
Despite its recent founding, the NOSC has quickly become a coveted awards platform for both emerging and established distillers. Its strong ties to the Tales of the Cocktail network mean that medalists not only receive acclaim but are also spotlighted in front of a global gathering of industry professionals. For whisky producers especially, NOSC offers a vital stage—one that celebrates craftsmanship and innovation while connecting brands with buyers, bartenders, and influencers from across the globe.
For those seeking a quick overview, the following table summarizes the essential details of the New Orleans Spirits Competition. This at-a-glance format provides the most critical data points for a rapid understanding of the competition’s framework.
Organiser: New Orleans Spirits Competition in partnership with the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Founded: 2022
Headquarters: New Orleans
Cadence: Annual
Next Awards: July 2026
The New Orleans Spirits Competition uses a two-phase judging system that combines rigorous blind tasting with a uniquely public final round. During the initial evaluations, expert judges are seated in four-person panels and presented with blind flights of spirits, identified only by class and proof range to eliminate bias. Each spirit is scored individually on a 100-point scale, and the average panel score determines whether the entry receives a medal.
Once medals are awarded, the top-performing entries in each category advance to a “Best of Category” review. From there, finalists in key spirit categories—including American Whiskey and World Whisky—are selected for the ultimate distinction: Spirit of the Year.
What makes this competition stand out is its public championship round, conducted during Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. The top six finalists in each major category are re-tasted in front of a live audience, with judges ranking their top three. These rankings determine the final “Best in Class” winners—an engaging and transparent process that sets NOSC apart from most spirits competitions.
While the New Orleans Spirits Competition encompasses a wide range of spirits, whisky categories are given significant attention and structure. Entries are separated into core categories such as American Whiskey—which includes bourbon, rye, and blended styles—and World Whisky, encompassing international expressions like Scotch, Japanese, Canadian, and others.
Whiskies are eligible for standard medal tiers based on scoring, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. The highest-scoring whiskies within each style group are elevated to Best of Category, recognizing standout performances across specific subtypes.
The most coveted honour is the Spirit of the Year designation, which is awarded to the top whisky in both the American Whiskey and World Whisky categories following the final live tasting round. Being named a Spirit of the Year at NOSC signals not just technical excellence but also standout appeal to a diverse panel of respected industry professionals.
Though relatively new, the New Orleans Spirits Competition has quickly carved out a meaningful place in the global spirits landscape—especially for whisky producers. Backed by the reputation and reach of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, NOSC winners benefit from prominent exposure to trade professionals, press, and discerning consumers.
For producers, earning a medal or category title enhances credibility, reinforces brand quality, and opens doors to new distribution and sales opportunities. The competition’s unique blend of private scoring and public championship rounds also gives award-winning whiskies a storytelling edge—valuable in both retail and on-premise channels.
For consumers, NOSC medals serve as reliable indicators of quality and value in a crowded marketplace. And for the trade—buyers, bartenders, distributors—the awards validate purchasing decisions and signal which spirits are poised to resonate with their audience.
By combining technical merit with real-world market relevance, the New Orleans Spirits Competition offers whisky brands a distinctive platform to shine.
For more information or to view past winners, visit the official website: https://www.nolaspiritscomp.com/
