Judging & Scoring
To ensure a fair, unprejudiced assessment of each submission, our judging panel uses a tasting method known as ‘The Double-Blind’. This means every sample is served pre-poured in a numbered glass, so the judges don’t view the bottle until they have scored your product, which means your product will be judged impartially.
Our judges may assign a maximum of 100 points to each product, based on Nose (max. 20 points), Taste and Palate (max. 40 points), Balance (max. 20 points) and Finish (max. 20 points).
Our scoring system ensures that your submission will be judged on category criteria and taste requirements rather than personal preference.
AIRA celebrates the distillation and production of rum as a craft and are intent on awarding every product submitted the points it deserves.
The Awards
Entering the Australian International Rum Awards gives you a chance to gain the recognition your product deserves. Category Winners are awarded medals with placements of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Double Gold and Trophy.
To ensure that you can celebrate your submission’s success for years to come, every winning entry is eligible to order custom-made award stickers to display on bottles, outlet windows and bar counters.
However, the benefits of a winning entry in the Australian International Rum Awards vastly exceed the sphere of stickers and medals; it is an entryway for your product to gain recognition and status internationally, joining the ranks of masterfully distilled rums from across the globe.
These are the finest submissions we have received in their category, and they have scored the highest overall, earning at least a Gold.
90+ POINTS
These are the spirits that set the standard in their category with their exceptional quality.
80+ POINTS
These products stand out in their category for their finesse, refinement, and complexity, showcasing exceptional quality.
70+ POINTS
These are technically flawless spirits that are commercially viable and visually appealing examples in their category, crafted with beauty and precision.
The Judging
If you are wondering just how deeply our judges engage with every submission we receive, allow us to take you behind the scenes of the Australian Rum Awards (ARA).
True, tasting a variety of exciting cane spirits may sound like a debauched evening; so it’s best to witness the single-minded focus of our panel with your own eyes. Although this footage is taken from the ARA, tasting and judging for the Australian International Rum Awards (AIRA) will be conducted using the same methods, so it will leave you with a good idea of our process.