David T Smith: A good judge knows what the consumer is looking for

The IWSC judges are the industry's most influential voices, shaping global markets and driving brand success. From Master Distillers to Senior Buyers, from Head Sommeliers to Bar Directors, these leaders guide the world's top drinks establishments. Through our Insider series, discover why their judgement is so trusted and gain exclusive insights from the experts themselves.

Our Head Judge for Vodka, Liqueurs & Bitters, and member of the IWSC's Spirits Judging Committee, David T Smith shares the five key characteristics that define excellence in spirits evaluation. While being a great spirits judge isn't easy and requires experience, tasting knowledge, and technical ability, there are some other, sometimes overlooked, criteria that sort the great from the "good".

Staying Current 
 
"Any expert in any field needs to keep abreast of current and upcoming trends to stop their knowledge from becoming dusty and out-of-date. This is especially true in the fast-changing world of spirits. A good judge knows what the modern consumer is looking for and how they can get it."

Maintaining Discipline

"It's a great honour and privilege to be asked to evaluate spirits that a producer has spent a great deal of time and effort creating. So, being punctual, focused, and dedicated as a judge is essential. There is no "part-time" when it comes to a judging session; you can't be checking your emails or taking a call at the same time - it requires 100% of your focus, and every entry deserves the same amount of attention from the first to the last. Judging cannot and should not be rushed."

Exercising Self-Awareness

"Objectivity is perhaps the most important part of being a judge, but as we are all human, everyone - naturally - has their own personal likes and dislikes, and our moods change from day to day. That is fine, of course, but being aware of it helps judges to account for any impact that it may have on their objectivity. For example, ask yourself, 'Did I give this gin a low score fairly, or is it because it has notes of clove, which I dislike?'".

Embracing Global Perspectives

"Depending on the category being judged, flavours and styles that a judge may not be extensively familiar with from their own background may be presented to them. This is especially true with vodka, gin, liqueurs, and speciality products - pandan liqueur, anyone?

Judges should try to curate a global palate by trying new foods and flavours where possible and listening to fellow judges who are more familiar with them."

Communicating Effectively

"Good communication skills are essential for any good spirits job, and they include listening as well as speaking or writing, listening to guidance from the organisers and lead judges, and listening to fellow panelists. A judge who thinks that they know it all and can learn nothing isn't a good judge. I've been judging for over a decade, and there is still so much I can learn from others' insight and experience; it is one of the best things about judging!"

David T Smith is a spirits expert and member of the IWSC Spirits Judging Committee. An acclaimed author and inaugural winner of Think Gin Communicator of the Year, David judges various spirits categories, and oversees Vodka, as well as Liqueurs & Bitters tasting. 

More views and insights in the IWSC Insider series.