Event Recap: San Diego Spirits Festival

The 9th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival was a weekend of spirits, sunshine, and spectacular entertainment last month. The two-day festival, lauded as one of the top cocktail festivals in the country, packed the Broadway Pier with 70 different kinds of alcohol available for tastings––including premium spirits from Lillet, Rums of Puerto Rico, Adictivo Tequila, and many more. Tastes ranged from sips of exquisite liquors from around the world to hand-crafted mini-cocktails that delighted the palate. The annual event was a stunning success, and we can’t wait for year ten!

Taking place at the Broadway Pier on a sunny San Diego weekend, the waterfront venue hosted vendors of spirits, wine and beer, plus various food vendors and extensive entertainment. Live musicians entertained the outdoor deck, where guests could eat and drink while enjoying the cool breeze by the bay. Indoors, the festival saw dance troupes and aerial acrobatics perform throughout the day. With entertainers out on the floor, the performers provided a one-of-a-kind experience for festival-goers.

For those special VIP pass-holders, the exclusive lounge was a hit. Luxurious couches lined the spacious lounge, where VIP guests could sit and relax with a drink and a personal bartender. Plus, the VIP had a comfortable view of all the entertainment, which included bartender showmanship tricks, too. The VIP experience also included a fashion show and vintage car show for additional, special guest entertainment.

The jewel of the event is the international spirits competition, which saw more than 160 entries this year. Competitors enter a bottle of spirit into the contest, which is judged by a panel of ten on appearance, aroma, taste, and finish. This year’s highest award is the Double Gold Medal, awarded to six competitors this year.

The winners of the Double Gold Medal were:

Adictivo Anejo Tequila

Panther City Distillery Hell’s Half Acre Vodka

Queensboro Gin

Ron Valiero Reserva Especial Extra Aged Rum

Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Select

Nardini Pescacello Peach Liqeur

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The 2017 competition awarded 17 Gold medals, 27 Silver medals, and 29 Bronze medals. The competition also awarded medals to various entrants for design and packaging awards. The two Double Gold Medals in that category are Adictivo Tequila and Ayate Tequila. The design and packaging contest also awarded 7 Gold medals and 3 Bronze medals.

The Spirits Festival is already planning next year’s event, which will mark the 10th anniversary. If every year is a party, this special occasion will have to be a bash! We can’t wait to see what excitement next year holds.

Enjoy our below gallery of some of the best photos from the San Diego Spirits Festival. Want to attend the 2018 10th Anniversary San Diego Spirits Festival on August 25th and 26th? Visit their website to learn more.

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