About the awards
World Liqueur Awards 2026
The World Liqueur Awards aims to showcase the best people, products, and places in the global liqueur industry.
Dates for your diary- Entry Deadline (Taste & Design) – 6 January 2026
- Shipping Deadline – 3 February 2026
- Final tastings & winner announcement: 7 April 2026
- Global Winner Announcement – 2 June 2026
Why awards are now more important than ever:
- In today's competitive market, advertising has become increasingly crucial for businesses to succeed. Winning the World Liqueur Awards 2026 can provide you with a unique opportunity to showcase your brand and products to a global audience. This prestigious competition not only recognises the quality of your liqueur but also opens doors to direct advertising opportunities. Don't miss out on the chance to elevate your brand and reach new customers through the World Liqueur Awards.
- Being recognised at the World Liqueur Awards not only sets you apart from your competitors but also establishes your brand as a top-quality product. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into crafting a superior liqueur. Winning an award can also increase your brand's visibility and credibility, leading to increased sales and customer loyalty.
- You will receive logos and certificates free of charge, which you can use to promote your win and product as you wish. These materials will help you showcase your achievement and enhance your brand image. We understand the importance of recognition and want to support your success in every way possible.
- Your victory will play a crucial role in influencing the decisions of both local and international distributors. This is a golden opportunity for you to establish your liqueur brand and gain recognition on a global scale.
- Each winner is featured on the World liqueur Awards website with their own profile and direct links to their website, attracting thousands of monthly visitors. This provides an excellent opportunity for increased exposure and recognition within the industry.
Have a question?
If you have any questions regarding the World Liqueur Awards 2026, get in touch through any of our contacts below:
Contact: The Awards Team @ World Drinks Awards
Email: info@worldliqueurawards.com Telephone: 01603 633808
What is the World Liqueur Awards?
The World Liqueur Awards is a
prestigious global competition that recognises the finest liqueurs from around the world. This annual event involves a rigorous tasting process that identifies, honours, and promotes the most exceptional liqueurs to consumers and industry professionals worldwide. To be eligible for consideration, liqueurs must be widely available for purchase.
Who should enter the World Liqueur Awards?
Are you a distiller, agent, importer, wholesaler, or retailer of liqueur or distilled liqueur products? If so, the World Liqueur Awards is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your products to an expert panel of judges. By entering, you have the chance to compete for the title of the World's Best Liqueur.
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: World Whiskies Awards
Instagram: @worlddrinksawards
LinkedIn: WorldDrinksAwards
Taste categories
An Italian inspired digestive after dinner herbal liqueur. This category is for drinks with "amaro" or similar stated on the label otherwise enter under Digestive please.
Predominantly pre-meal drinks - not specifically categorize in another category
A wide range of usually vibrantly coloured herbal bitter liqueurs to be mixed and diluted in many cases. Aperol is a good example.
Liqueurs that are primarily chocolate based. This excludes cream variants. These should be entered under cream.
Coffee based liqueurs excluding cream variants. These should be entered under cream liqueurs.
Liqueurs with real cream content. Alternative and vegan versions go to a separate category
Predominantly to be drank neat or on ice after a meal and not fitting any other specific category.
Any spirit which includes dairy such as Advocaat or egg such as Eierlikoer, with a real egg base. Vegan alternatives should be entered in the 'Vegan' category
All floral liqueurs, excluding cream based variants as well as those with a distinct base spirit such as gin, rum, vodka or whisky.
All fruit liqueurs, excluding cream based variants as well as those with a distinct base spirit such as gin, rum, vodka or whisky.
The base spirit must be clearly indicated. This excludes cream variants. These should be entered under Cream Liqueurs. The juniper and other gin characteristics have to be part of the aromas and flavours.
All herbal variants except those that are cream based. This excludes mint and menthol. This does exclude Amaros which should be entered under the 'Amaro' category
Intentional honey character and honey been used as the predominant flavour and aromatic lead. Cream based variants need to be entered under cream liqueurs please.
It has to contain liquorice as the main character element
All specific mint/menthol liqueurs including cream variants.
All nut based liqueurs except those that are cream based.
All liqueurs that have a specific patisserie/bakery flavour profile. This can include such flavour options as 'Christmas Liqueur'. All cream variants should be entered under Cream Liqueurs. Blueberry Muffin is a good example.
The base spirit must be clearly indicated. This excludes cream variants. These should be entered under Cream Liqueurs. It has to be based on and smell and taste rum.
All spice based liqueurs except those that are cream based. Please try to nominate the spices if there are multiples involved in the recipe.
The base spirit must be clearly indicated. This excludes cream variants. These should be entered under Cream Liqueurs. It has to be based on and smell and taste tequila or agave.
Enter your vegan or alternative non dairy based cream and other dairy liqueurs here please. Vegan egg goes with real egg not here.
The base spirit must be clearly indicated. This excludes cream variants. These should be entered under Cream Liqueurs.
The base whisky must be recognisable as the base of the liqueur. Cream variants should be entered under Cream Liqueurs.
Design categories
This design category includes only singular bottles without outer packaging. It does include any decorative items such as neck tags or collars. The overall design, including closure, of the glass or PET bottle: shape, colour, functionality and any embossing, decorative finishes, coatings, or direct printed elements as well as visual appeal will be assessed in this category.
This category is designed to cater for all on shelf gift packs. These can be either gift packs containing individual bottles with packaging and accessories (such as glassware) or multi-product sets, including miniatures.
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. This will be judged on the overall design and quality of materials, print, decoration and application.
This category applies to designs where the number produced was limited, such as for a special production, occasion or season. This can include individual bottles as well as bottles with outer packaging. This does not include gift packs, travel retail exclusives or special edition designs, which should be entered separately.
Packaging for a new product launched after February 1, 2025. This must be a new product, not a re-design of an existing product. Redesigns, please see the redesign/relaunch category.
This is a packaging design that carries through and unites a range or ‘family’ of different products from one producer or brand. To enter this category a minimum of three expressions need to be provided in order to assess the range design.
This category refers to a new or refreshed packaging design created for an existing product and introduced to the market after February 1, 2025. A picture or sample of the previous packaging must be supplied along with a description of what changes have been made and why
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. This does not include gift packs or speciality designs, which should be entered separately.
This category is for speciality designs or ‘one off’ productions which have been exclusively designed for a very special occasion, are very limited and mostly in a higher price range. Must contain outer packaging. Sale is extremely selected and not generally available.
Products created specifically and only for sale in the duty-free / travel retail market. This can either individual bottles or products with outer packaging.
The judging process
Whether you're a seasoned distiller or just starting out, participating in the
World Liqueur Awards is an exciting way to gain exposure for your brand and connect with other liqueur lovers from across the globe. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to get noticed in the ever-expanding world of liqueur!
Taste
Round One Each liqueur is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winner in each country.
Round Two and Three All Country style winners are tasted against each other to identify the Best in each style worldwide. The winners in each style then compete for the title World’s Best in one of the 9 categories.
Design
All design judging is conducted by a panel of leading international design, with design results announced with the World's Best.
Shipping
When shipping your product, please keep in mind the following:
- Ensure all products are packaged securely.
- Print the packing slip from your online profile for each product and attach this to your package(s)
- Ensure all customs and duties fees are cleared when booking in the shipment yourself. Should the World Liqueur Awards be required to pay any charges, you will be invoiced for the amount plus an administration fee.
- The World Drinks Awards has collection depots in Italy and France. You will be provided with all details once your shipment is booked, but you will need to ensure you deliver your entries to the local depot yourself. The transport costs for which are not part of the shipping fee.
Quantities Required
For
Taste entries, we require for each entry:
- 3 x 500ml (minimum) Bottles
For
Design entries, we require for each entry:
If you have entered both Taste and Design, please provide the number of bottles specified under the 'Taste' entries quantities section.
How to Ship
We are delighted to introduce our shipping system, allowing you to ship your entries straight through our own booking system in conjunction with our shipping partner. For a set shipping fee, that covers customs and duties costs, we get your shipment booked in, picked up and on its way! Download the shipping guide
here. Please note this service is available for shipments destined for the
UK only. Please check your individual entry confirmation email for details of where to send your shipment.
When you are shipping your entries yourself, please ensure that all customs, clearance and any associated costs have been paid. If these are not paid, World Liquer Awards can either not accept the entries or will have to invoice any costs occurred, including an administration fee. All duty invoices will come directly from our accounts team.
We do accept in-person deliveries. Please contact our awards team at
info@worldliqueurawards.com to ensure someone is on site to receive your package(s).
Rates
Entry fees
Early Entry Rates - only until 30 November |
|---|
| Note: price is for each entry |
|---|
| | 1 entry | 2 entries | 3 entries | 4+ entries |
|---|
| Sterling |
| Taste & Design | £315 + VAT | £295 + VAT | £285 + VAT | £275 + VAT |
| Design only | £209 + VAT | £199 + VAT | £189 + VAT | £179 + VAT |
| Taste only | £209 + VAT | £199 + VAT | £189 + VAT | £179 + VAT |
| Euro |
| Taste & Design | €375 | €365 | €355 | €345 |
| Design only | €245 | €240 | €235 | €230 |
| Taste only | €245 | €240 | €235 | €230 |
| USD |
| Taste & Design | $449 | $429 | $419 | $409 |
| Design only | $299 | $289 | $279 | $269 |
| Taste only | $299 | $289 | $279 | $269 |
| Canadian Dollar |
| Taste & Design | $535 | $520 | $505 | $490 |
| Design only | $365 | $355 | $345 | $335 |
| Taste only | $365 | $355 | $345 | $335 |
Standard Pricing |
|---|
| Note: price is for each entry |
|---|
| | 1 entry | 2 entries | 3 entries | 4+ entries |
|---|
| Sterling |
| Taste & Design | £327 + VAT | £307 + VAT | £297 + VAT | £286 + VAT |
| Design only | £217 + VAT | £207 + VAT | £197 + VAT | £186 + VAT |
| Taste only | £217 + VAT | £207 + VAT | £197 + VAT | £186 + VAT |
| Euro |
| Taste & Design | €390 | €380 | €369 | €359 |
| Design only | €255 | €250 | €245 | €239 |
| Taste only | €255 | €250 | €245 | €239 |
| USD |
| Taste & Design | $459 | $439 | $429 | $419 |
| Design only | $305 | $295 | $285 | $275 |
| Taste only | $305 | $295 | $285 | $275 |
| Canadian Dollar |
| Taste & Design | $560 | $545 | $530 | $515 |
| Design only | $385 | $375 | $365 | $350 |
| Taste only | $385 | $375 | $365 | $350 |
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 Liqueur 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 Liqueur Awards will invoice any costs occurred, including an administration fee. If these costs remain unpaid, the World Liqueur 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:
- 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.
- 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.