About the awards
Open for entriesWe are delighted to announce that the
World Cognac Awards 2021 are open for entries.
New for this year is our custom-built shipping system in partnership with DHL. You can now book in your shipments easily through your online profile.
The World Cognac Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of Cognac.
Dates for your diary- Entry Deadline – 22 January 2021
- Shipping Deadline – 5 February 2021
- Winners announced – 20 May 2021
We are in the midst of an extraordinary situation which is affecting those in the industry in a number of ways. However, we want to look to the future, and let you know what winning an award in the 2021 World Drinks Awards could mean for you and your business. Advertising is more important than ever, and a win at the World Drinks Awards equals direct advertising opportunities.
Winning helps consumers make their purchasing decisions. It can be hard to pick from the hundreds of products lining the shelves; but as an award winner, you will stand out You will receive logos and certificates free of charge, to use as you wish to promote your win and your product.
Every entrant receives… A personalized World Cognac Awards tasting note
Invitation to the World Cognac Awards final round tasting in London
Winners receive…
Extensive coverage on WorldCognacAwards.com
High resolution logos
International, regional and national coverage targeting Cognac consumers and trade buyers
Boxed set: inclusion in the World Cognac Awards boxed set, featuring the winners
Point of sale materials including: stickers and collarets with your award in corporate collars
All country and world winners are featured in the annual Best Spirits publication
Medals, Certificates and Trophies receive…
Medal, certificate and logo pack
World Style certificate and logo pack
World’s Best Trophies, certificate and logo pack
Taste categories
at least 14 years of ageing
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Fine Champagne
Other Crus
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Fine Champagne
Other Crus
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Fine Champagne
Other Crus
at least 10 years of ageing
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Fine Champagne
Other Crus
Design categories
This includes all aspects of on-bottle brand/product communication, including the application of any direct printing onto bottle, capsule or closure, as well as paper and film labels and sleeves. The pack will be judged on the overall design and quality of materials, print, decoration and application.
This applies to the secondary, outer, presentation packaging, such as cartons, boxes, cases, plinths, chests etc. The presentation will be judged on the overall effect with the bottle in place.
Packaging created specifically for sale in the duty-free / travel retail market
This category applies to pack designs where the number produced was limited, such as for a special production, occasion or season.
This category refers to a new or refreshed packaging design created for an existing product and introduced to the market after February 1, 2019. A picture or sample of the previous packaging must be supplied along with a description of what changes have been made and why
Packaging for a new product launched after February 1, 2019.
This is a packaging design that carries through and unites a range or ‘family’ of different products from one producer or brand.
The overall design of the glass or PET bottle: shape, colour, functionality and any embossing, decorative finishes, coatings or direct printed elements as well as visual appeal.
The judging process
TASTE
Round 1
Each Cognac is tasted in its relevant category to identify and select the category winners. Judges making up the World Cognac Awards panel include international, leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts.
Round 2
The ‘Best’ Cognac in each category are then tasted against each other to select the World’s Best Cognac.
DESIGN
All DESIGN judging is conducted by a panel of leading international design experts.
For each entry, the following quantities should be supplied
- Taste only – 3 bottles
- Design only – 2 bottles
- Taste and Design – 3 bottles
Shipping
IMPORTANT BREXIT UPDATE
Brexit and shipping from Europe
Customs Declarations will be required from 1 January 2021 for shipments between Great Britain and the European Union (and vice-versa). Although the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement refers to 'zero tariffs' (zero customs duties), this doesn't replace the need to generate a Customs Declaration and so a Commercial or Pro-forma Invoice is required. The trade deal only applies to Customs duties, meaning that in most cases Customs duties will not be applied to goods fulfilling all necessary "rules of origin" requirements. However, VAT will still be levied. Customs declarations are therefore required for goods to clear the border, as the UK will have left the single market and the customs union. Country-specific restrictions will still be in place and any associated licences will also be required.
We are delighted to introduce our new shipping service in partnership with DHL. You can now book in your shipments right through your online profile.
For each entry, the following quantities should be supplied
- Taste only – 3 bottles
- Design only – 2 bottles
- Taste and Design – 3 bottles
For any enquiries regarding your shipments, please contact
info@worlddrinksawards.com Anita Ujszaszi
Rates
Entry fees
| | 1 entry | 2 entries | 3 entries | 4+ entries |
|---|
| Sterling |
| Taste & Design | £245 + VAT each | £235 + VAT each | £225 + VAT each | £215 + VAT each |
| Design | £169 + VAT each | £164 + VAT each | £159 + VAT each | £154 + VAT each |
| Taste or Design | £169 + VAT each | £164 + VAT each | £159 + VAT each | £154 + VAT each |
| Euro |
| Taste & Design | €315 each | €305 each | €295 each | €285 each |
| Design | €210 each | €205 each | €200 each | €195 each |
| Taste or Design | €210 each | €205 each | €200 each | €195 each |
| USD |
| Taste & Design | $410 each | $395 each | $380 each | $365 each |
| Design | $280 each | $270 each | $260 each | $250 each |
| Taste or Design | $280 each | $270 each | $260 each | $250 each |
| Canadian Dollar |
| Taste & Design | $460 each | $445 each | $430 each | $415 each |
| Design | $320 each | $310 each | $300 each | $290 each |
| Taste or Design | $320 each | $310 each | $300 each | $290 each |
Terms & conditions
Terms & Conditions
Products must be sent by prepaid post and be received by the Shipping Date listed.
Entries are only accepted on a completed online entry form with the appropriate entry fee.
If an entry is withdrawn by the Due Date (or disqualified), the entry fee will be returned subject to an administration charge of 50% of the entry fee. Products will be made available for collection at the entrant’s expense or retained by the Organiser if not collected within eight weeks of the Due Date. Due Date is the entry deadline.
If an entry is withdrawn after the Due Date, no refunds will be given. This includes entries for which product has not been received.
Payment in full is required before judging commences.
Substitutions of entries is possible, but needs to be communicated to the World Drinks Awards prior to the Due Date.
If you are shipping your entries yourself, please ensure that all customs, clearance and any associated costs have been paid in advance. If these costs are not paid, the World Drinks Awards will invoice any costs occurred, including a £25.00 administration fee. If these costs remain unpaid, the World Drinks Awards are unable to accept the entries.
The judges’ decision on all matters is final.
The Organisers may, at their discretion, refuse to accept an entry.
The Organisers may alter the closing date for the awards, place an entry in the most appropriate style, rule that an entry may not compete or is ineligible to compete, or alter the date, time or place on or at which the awards are scheduled to take place.
The Chair of Judges has the power to disqualify any entry not deemed as meeting the entry criteria.
These rules are governed by the laws of the UK.
Please note: bottles are unable to be returned. Our policy on unreturned bottles is as follows:
o Opened bottles may be poured at trade and consumer events to promote the individual brand, or included in a charity bottling, the proceeds of which are distributed to charity.
o Closed bottles may be distributed to individual charities on a case by basis, or presented for auction, all proceeds of which are distributed to charity.