Liqueurs are certainly on the rise these days with varieties such as Amaro and Chartreuse seeing increased global popularity, but according to the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition there are a number of other flavored distilled spirits we should be on the lookout for. Impressively, 8 eight liqueurs were awarded Outstanding Gold medals at this year’s edition of the annual award competition.
Two entries from Switzerland nabbed the top prize, Distillerie Studer Nussknacker Haselnuss-Likoer and Langatun Distillery Bäredräck Liqueur, while two Dutch liqueurs, Lemon3 Limoncello and W&R Limone D’Oro Frambocello, were also awarded the competition’s highest honor. Spain’s Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits Pear William Liqueur, Japan’s Yamamoto Shuzo Nigori Umeshu, Greece’s Vantana Distillery Mastic Liqueur, and England’s English Spirit Sambuca Liqueur were received Outstanding Gold medals.
Check out the complete list of Outstanding Gold and Gold liqueurs from the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition below:
| Name | Country | Producer | Medal |
| Sambuca Liqueur | England | English Spirit | Outstanding Gold |
| Mastic Liqueur | Greece | Vantana Distillery | Outstanding Gold |
| Nigori Umeshu | Japan | Yamamoto Shuzo | Outstanding Gold |
| Limoncello | Netherlands | Lemon3 | Outstanding Gold |
| Limone D’Oro Frambocello | Netherlands | W&R | Outstanding Gold |
| Pear William Liqueur | Spain | Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits | Outstanding Gold |
| Nussknacker Haselnuss-Likoer | Switzerland | Distillerie Studer | Outstanding Gold |
| Bäredräck Liqueur | Switzerland | Langatun Distillery | Outstanding Gold |
| Pharmacy Liquorice Lakrids Shot | Denmark | A.H. Riise Spirits ApS | Gold |
| Queen Margot Cream Liqueur | Germany | Eckerts Wacholder Brennerei | Gold |
| Queen Margot Cream Liqueur | Germany | Pabst & Richarz Vertriebs | Gold |
| Red – Original Beetroot Liqueur | Netherlands | Wenneker Distilleries | Gold |
| Joto Umeshu Kokuto Liqueur | Japan | Hombo Shuzo | Gold |
| Elderflower Liqueur | Spain | Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits | Gold |
| Brookie’s Byron Slow Gin | Australia | Cape Byron Distillery | Gold |
| Curacao Liqueur | France | Bardinet | Gold |
| Klötenköm Egg Liqueur | Germany | Spitzmund | Gold |
| Golfer Pro Liqueur | Croatia | Good Spirit | Gold |
| Muyu Vetiver Gris Liqueur | Netherlands | De Kuyper Royal Distillers | Gold |
| Leona Sparkling Yuzu | Japan | Yamamoto Shuzo | Gold |
| Spirit Of Gin Liqueur | Croatia | Good Spirit | Gold |
| Der Starke Kräuter Liqueur | Austria | Rossbacher | Gold |
| Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur | Northern Ireland | Niche Drinks | Gold |
| Mandarinello | Italy | DiGusti | Gold |
| Zhuyeqing Jiu 10 YO Liqueur | China | Shanxi Xinghua Cun Fenjiu Distillery Co. Ltd | Gold |
| Der Milde Liqueur | Austria | Gurktaler Alpenkräuter | Gold |
| United Cakes Of America Blueberry Muffin Sahnelikör | Germany | Bimmerle Private Distillery | Gold |
| Crème de Cassis de Dijon | France | Gabriel Boudier | Gold |
| Carruba – Liqueur De Monaco | Monaco | Mont Charles | Gold |
| Créme de Menthe Liqueur | France | Bardinet | Gold |
| United Cakes Of America New York Cheesecake Sahnelikör | Germany | Bimmerle Private Distillery | Gold |
| Mirto del Fondatore | Italy | Silvio Carta | Gold |
| Joto Umeshu Chiran-Cha Liqueur | Japan | Hombo Shuzo | Gold |
| Bianco Crushed Almonds Liqueur | Italy | Amaretto Adriatico | Gold |
| Koskenkorva Salmiakki Liqueur | Finland | Altia | Gold |
| Chocolate Cream Liqueur | Austria | Mozart Distillerie | Gold |
Elsewhere at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition, High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey was rated the top Rye Whiskey, receiving an Outstanding Gold and scored 99/100. Maison Prunier Tres Vieille Grande Champagne Cognac, meanwhile, was awarded an Outstanding Gold and rated the top Cognac with a score of 98/100. Château du Breuil Calvados Pays D’Auge 15 Ans was rated the best Calvados at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition and scored a 99/100, winning an Outstanding Gold. Filliers Barrel Aged Genever 8 Years Old was ranked the world’s top Genever.
Eight Gins, meanwhile, were awarded Outstanding Gold medals. And 10 Vodkas were also given the contest’s highest prize.