The Czech National Spirits Competition (CNSC 2024), a prestigious international competition for spirits and liqueurs, was held on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in the stunning setting of the Strahov Monastery. This year, Karl LIQ Distillery defended its title among Czech producers with its Vínovice 48%. The overall champion was Vihorlat Trnkovica. The competition, which showcases the best in distilling artistry each year, continues a tradition that began in 2021. This was the 4th edition, following last year's overall winner, a Slovak spirit made from blackcurrant.

A Gala Evening Full of Flavors and Culture

For many guests, the evening began with a tasting of delicate chocolate from JANEK Chocolate Factory in Uhersky Brod, known for its handcrafted production and the use of only high-quality ingredients. 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 a pleasant tone for the entire evening.

Guests were then formally welcomed in the library of the Strahov Monastery, where the Abbot of the Royal Premonstratensian Canonry, ThLic. PhDr. Daniel Peter Janáček, O.Praem., PhD., captivated the audience with a fascinating account of the rich history of this place. The Strahov Library, which houses over 300,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts, first editions, and maps, is one of the oldest and most valuable libraries in the country.

Subsequently, the guests moved to the winter refectory, where the highly anticipated announcement of the results took place. Martin Krupička, the founder of the competition, together with the chairman of the expert committee, Michal Šedík, guided the audience through an evening filled with suspense and emotion.

The Diversity of the Competition and Its Winners

This year's edition featured 293 entries from 71 producers in 16 countries around the world, including exotic destinations such as China, Jamaica, and Colombia. The competition showcased not only a rich tradition of distilling but also innovation and diverse approaches to producing alcoholic beverages.

The highest award among Czech producers went to Vínovice 48% from Karl LIQ Distillery. "We are delighted to announce that we have defended our title among Czech producers with our Vínovice 48%, which has also received a special award from the Royal Premonstratensian Canonry of Strahov! Our other products – Hruškovice 48% and our new product, the liqueur Višňovka Svatoňská 24%, also received beautiful bronze medals! We are proud that our spirits and liqueurs have stood out in such strong international competition. This motivates and obligates us to continue our work," the distillery stated on its website karlliq.cz.

The CNSC 2024 competition awarded winners in various categories of spirits, such as plum brandy, pear brandy, apricot brandy, apple brandy, beer distillate, cherry brandy, cherry brandy, quince brandy, aquavit, and whisky. In the liqueurs category, samples of red fruit liqueurs, almond liqueurs, low-alcohol liqueurs, and others were evaluated. The wide range of competition categories reflected the diversity and quality of both traditional and innovative products.

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Unique Moments of the Evening

The musical highlight of the evening was an exclusive performance by the renowned composer and conductor , whose career is associated with many prestigious projects, including collaborations with Oscar-winning director Miloš Forman. "It is an honor for me to be a part of this event. Music and art are a universal language, just like the taste and aroma of excellent spirits, which we are celebrating here," he said in connection with the event.

The evening offered not only recognition for the best spirits, but also a glimpse into innovations and unique flavors from around the world. Among them, samples from China stood out, which are not commonly available on the Czech market. The winning spirit from China, , is an exclusive spirit and primarily serves as a representative gift for official delegations. It is rarely available for wider distribution, which preserves its exceptional status and offers a unique insight into the rich Chinese culture and traditions.

After the announcement of the winners, guests were able to enjoy a lavish buffet in the summer refectory. Traditional musical accompaniment added a touch of elegance to the evening and completed an unforgettable experience.

The CNSC 2024 competition once again confirmed its reputation as a world-class competition that celebrates not only tradition and craftsmanship, but also the courage to innovate and explore new paths in the field of distillation. This unique evening served as a reminder that behind every bottle of award-winning spirit lies a story of passion, effort, and mastery.

For complete results and more information, please visit the official website of the competition: Czech National Spirits Competition.