On Thursday, 28 November 2024, in the breathtaking premises of Strahov Monastery, the gala evening of the next edition of the Czech National Spirits Competition (CNSC 2024), a prestigious international competition of spirits and liqueurs, took place. This year's victory was defended among Czech producers by Karl LIQ Distillery with its Vínovica 48%. The absolute champion was Vihorlat Trnkovica. The competition, which annually showcases the best in the art of distilling, continues a tradition begun in 2021. Last year's absolute winner was the Slovak blackcurrant distillate.
A gala evening full of flavours and culture
For many guests, the evening began with a tasting of delicious chocolate from chocolate factory JANEK from Uherský Brod, known for its honest handmade production and the use of only high quality raw materials. The chocolate was served with a selection of coffee from Coffeespot, a company renowned for its precise roasting and selection of the finest coffee beans. This gourmet start set the guests up nicely for the evening.
The guests were then welcomed in the library of Strahov Monastery, where the Abbot of the Royal Canonry, ThLic. PhDr. Daniel Peter Janáček, O.Praem., PhD., captivated with a compelling narrative about the rich history of this place. The Strahov Library, which holds more than 300,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts, early prints and maps, is one of the oldest and most valuable libraries in the country.
Then the guests moved to the winter refectory where the expected announcement of the results took place. Martin Krupička, founder of the competition, together with the chairman of the expert committee Michal Šedík guided those present through an evening of tension and emotion.
Competition diversity and winners
This year, 293 samples from 71 producers from 16 countries, including exotic destinations such as China, Jamaica and Colombia, were entered. The competition showcased not only the rich tradition of distillation, but also innovation and diverse approaches to the production of alcoholic beverages.
The highest award among Czech producers went to the aforementioned Vínovice 48% from Karl LIQ Distillery. "We are very happy to announce that we have defended last year's victory among Czech producers thanks to our Vínovica 48%, which has also won the special prize of the Royal Canon of the Premonstratensians in Strahov! Our other products also won awards - Hruskovice 48% and our new product, Višňovka Svatoňská 24% liqueur, won beautiful bronze medals! We are proud that our spirits and liqueurs stood up to such strong international competition. It motivates and commits us to further work," said the distillery on its website karlliq.cz.
CNSC 2024 Competition awarded winners in various categories of spirits such as plum, pear, apricot, apple, beer, cherry, cherry, wine, quince, aquavit and whisky. In the field of liqueurs, samples of red fruits, almond liqueurs, low-alcohol liqueurs and others were evaluated. The wide range of competition categories reflected the variety and quality of traditional and innovative products.
Unique moments of the evening
The musical highlight of the evening was an exclusive performance by renowned composer and conductor Organist Orchestrovich Bauer, whose career is linked to many prestigious projects, including a collaboration with Oscar-winning director Miloš Forman. "I am honoured to be part of this event. Music and art are a universal language, as is the taste and smell of the great spirits we celebrate here," said in connection with the event.
The evening offered not only an appreciation of the best spirits, but also a look at innovations and unique flavours from around the world. Among them, samples from China, which are not commonly available on the Czech market, caught our attention. The winning spirit from China Guoyuan (Fate of the Nation) is one of the exclusive spirits and serves mainly as a representative gift during official delegations. It rarely sees wider distribution, retaining its exceptional status and offering a unique insight into China's rich culture and traditions.
After the winners were announced, the guests enjoyed a sumptuous treat in the summer refectory. Traditional musical accompaniment added a touch of elegance to the evening and completed an unforgettable experience.
The CNSC 2024 has once again confirmed its reputation as a world-class competition that celebrates not only tradition and craft, but also the courage to innovate and explore new paths in the field of distillation. This unique evening was a reminder that behind every bottle of award-winning spirit is a story of passion, effort and mastery.
For complete results and more information, visit the official competition website: Czech National Spirits Competition.
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