Spiribam Earns Top Honors At The 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition

Wakefield, RI – July 30, 2025 – Spiribam, a premier portfolio of fine Caribbean rum and spirits from France, England, and Mexico, proudly announces several accolades from the 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition, an international spirits judging presented by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. The awards were presented on July 23rd during Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, and include several Best in Class and Gold medals. 

Top honors include:

• Best Fruit Liqueur & Infusion 2025: Rhum Clément Bana Canne
• Best Cognac XO 2025: Hardy Cognac XO Rouge
• Best Unaged Rum 2025: Rhum Clément Canne Bleue
• Double Gold Medal: Rhum Clément Canne Bleue
• Best Spiced Rum 2025: Chairman’s Reserve Spiced
• Gold Medal: Joseph Cartron Sureau
• Gold Medal: Hardy Cognac XO Rouge

The competition’s unique, live judging has become one of the most well-attended events at Tales of the Cocktail. Spirits are evaluated by industry experts in two rounds, with the top six spirits in each class moving on to a championship round where top awards are decided publicly. An audience of 42 people are served the same flight as the judges, and while they don’t have a vote, they listen to the banter as the judges determine which spirits will be best of class. 

Additional awards received by Spiribam include Silver Medals for Rhum J.M Terroir Volcanique, Rhum Clément Bana Canne, Hardy Cognac Legend, Chairman’s Reserve Spiced, Chairman’s Reserve Forgotten Casks, Trascendente Espadin Selecto Mezcal, and Trascendente Ensamble Mezcal, as well as a Bronze Medal for Rhum Clément Creole Shrubb.

“We are overjoyed and very proud to have earned these superlative awards from the Tales of the Cocktail organization, which brings together the best spirits and cocktail experts in the world,” says Ben Jones, Managing Director, Spiribam America. “These accolades not only help us communicate the time-honored expertise of our distilleries, but are also a testament to our team members who dedicate themselves to crafting products with heart and passion, representing their origin and culture.”  

ABOUT SPIRIBAM

Spiribam’s mission to bring the finest Caribbean rum to American shores dates back to 2005 when Rhum Clément was first introduced in the United States. The role of the company quickly evolved into an educational one focused on the advancement of Rhum Agricole from Martinique, and soon Spiribam introduced Rhum J.M. Seeking out rums of different origins, the company added St. Lucia Distillers to the portfolio, beginning with the re-launch of Chairman's Reserve followed by the introduction of Bounty Rum and Admiral Rodney. Soon after, Spiribam acquired Mauritius brands Arcane and Beach House, which are not yet available in North America, as well as the French Guyanese distillery that produces La Belle Cabresse. The first acquisition outside of rum came in 2021 with the arrival of Joseph Cartron Liqueurs from Burgundy. Spiribam has since furthered its development with the appointment of Hardy Cognac, Gin Lane 1751, and Mezcal Trascendente for the United States. Follow Spiribam at @spiribam. 

ABOUT NEW ORLEANS SPIRITS COMPETITION

?The New Orleans Spirits Competition is an international spirits judging bringing wider recognition to fine beverages and spirits from top-flight producers across the globe. Presented by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, each spirit is tasted blind by a panel of industry experts, without identification, to ensure integrity and secrecy. The judging panels include preeminent industry professionals, including award-winning bartenders and distillers, decorated beverage writers, and industry luminaries. Awards will be presented during Tales of the Cocktail, the largest and most prestigious cocktail conference.