Judges

The Denver International Spirits Competition is conducted double-blind by a seasoned panel of beverage professionals. Our judging panel consists of sommeliers, retail buyers, journalists, mixologists, and beverage directors. All judges undergo a daily calibration class designed to maintain consistent evaluation and scoring of all spirits.

Transparency

Our competition rules strictly prohibit accepting judges that are affiliated in any way with companies that have entered products in our competition.

Our competition is expanding rapidly and we are currently seeking to add seasoned judges to our panel. To apply for consideration, please email your credentials and bio to Christopher J. Davies
cdavies@winecountrynetwork.com

2024 Competition Chairs

Christopher J. Davies
C0-Founder, Chairman
Wine Country Network, Inc
Competition Director

Darcy R. Davies
Co-Founder, President
Wine Country Network, Inc
Competition Operations


Lead Judge & Panel Chair
Larry Wilcox
Certified Wine and Spirit Sommelier & Spirits Judge
President of Top Shelf Liquor Consulting, LLC​

Larry is a senior judge for Wine Country Network’s beverage competitions. He has developed the most comprehensive, ever-improving, judging score sheet in the industry

Nicolas Post
Master Wine and Spirits Consulting LLC
International Wine and Spirits Guild,
Wine Cellars and Storage of Colorado, seasoned Wine and Spirits Judge

John Haven
Independent Beverage Professional, Certified Judge, Connoisseur, and Collector of Fine Spirits. John has judged the DISC for four years consecutively.

Adam Douglas
Co-owner of Peak Beverage, an upscale liquor store in Denver. He is also President of Peak Beverage Catering, the largest beverage catering company in Colorado.

Adam has more than 16 years of food and beverage experience, holding management positions in restaurants/ bars, spirit and wine distribution, and retail sales. As a judge for the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, he has served as a lead judge in the Denver International Spirits Competition for five years. He has competed in many national bartending competitions while working as the General Manager of the Arvada Tavern.

Kevin Galaba
Kevin has dedicated the better part of the past 20 years to the food & beverage industry, with humble beginnings as a dishwasher and busboy. He fell in love with bartending and helped open several well-respected restaurants in Minneapolis and Denver.

In 2015, Kevin founded SuperDelicious, a beverage events production and beverage brand representation company. In 2017, he founded Friends & Family, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission of providing educational programs and events for employees in Colorado’s food and beverage industries. Kevin is also the Editor for Colorado Beverage Analyst, a monthly publication and resource for the beverage industry trade in Colorado.

Jakim J. Noske, CSS
Industry Professional and Certified Specialist of Spirits.
Jakim is an Assistant Spirits Buyer for AppleJack Wine & Spirits. He is a past judge for the Denver International Spirits Competition, The North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and the Tequila Mezcal Challenge

Alexandra (Allie) Geppart
Industry Professional, Brand Strategist with Mandala Strategies, Past Marketing Coordinator with Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Carol Chamberlin
Owner of Joie de Vin, Certified Spirits Sommelier, International Wine and Spirits Guild,
Wine, Beer, and Spirits Instructor for The Cook Street School of Culinary Arts.

Matthew Wyant
Head Distiller at Idlewild Spirits, Bouck Brothers Distilling, Owner of Spring Water Spirits Consulting, Spirits Judge

Charles (Ted) Palmer
Founder and former Distiller for Vapor Distilling and Roundhouse Spirits. Currently consulting for several domestic and International distilleries. Brewmaster for numerous breweries.

Justin George
Industry Professional, VP of Operations For Peak Beverage, Former Assistant F&B Manager, The Brown Palace Hotel, Former Director of Food & Beverage, Freehand Chicago

Eric Anderson
Industry Professional, Former Spirits & Wine Purchasing Director,
Omni Hotels, Past DISC Judge

Benjamin Yarnell
Industry professional, Wine & Spirits Collector

Christopher J. Davies
Sommelier, Wine and Spirits Critic, Internationally accredited Photojournalist,
Editor-in-Chief of Wine Country International ®Magazine and Competition Director

Darcy R. Davies
Sommelier, Food and Wine Writer, Co-Founder of Wine Country International ®Magazine, Art Director and Competition Operations Director

 

Past Judges

Brad  Beck
The Golden Bee
The Broadmoor
Bar Manager

Micheal Beseda
Spirit Specialist
Republic National Distribution Company

Blair Bowman
Whisky Consultant & Author
Founder of World Whisky Day

Andrew  Burton
Argonaut Wine & Liquor
Liquor Buyer

Julie Calabrese
Morton's The Steakhouse
Sales & Events Manager
Sommelier

Carol Chamberlain
SWI, EWS, ESS, MC, CWJ
International Wine & Spirits Guild
Certified Spirits Sommelier

William Davis
CWE, CSS, AIWS,
Wilson Daniels
Advanced Sommelier

Bryan Dayton
Owner & Mixologist
Oak at Fourteenth/ Acorn

Jim Denier
Independent Beverage Professional
Certified Beverage Professional

Adam Douglas
Peak Beverage
Director of Operations

Dave Elger
Hot Mixology TV Host

Kevin Galaba
Food & Beverage Professional
Local Marketing Manager
Colorado Beverage Analyst Magazine

Kristofer Garrand
Food and Beverage Professional
Sales Representative
Classic Beverage Company

Alexandra (Allie) Geppert
Food & Beverage Professional
Owner of Mandala Strategies

Justin Gilman CSW, CSS
Buyer and Manager
Bonnie Brea Liqours

Lenny Gotter
Lenny Gotter Brand Consultants
President

Stan  Holzwart
Certified Spirits Instructor
International Wine and Spirits Guild

John Haven
Independent Beverage Professional
Certified Beverage Professional

Alexander Hebert
Divino Wine & Spirits
Liquor Sales

Dylan Holcomb
Beatrice & Woodsley
Hot Mixology Cocktail Conservator
Mixologist

Natalie Hughes
European Wines & Spirits
Spirit Portfolio Specialist

Ron Johnson
Branded Spirits
Regional Sales Manager

Tony Menechella
Food & Beverage Professional
Certified Specialist of Spirits
President, Central KY Spirits Society
National Spirits Judge

Jakim J. Noske
CSS, Certified Specialist of Spirits
Food & Beverage Professional

Jonathan Odde
The Burns Pub
Founder

Robert Sickler
The Voice of Whiskey
Finn's Manor Beverage Director
Whiskey Ambassador

Matthew Wyant
Former Distiller
Bouck Brothers Distillery
Consulting Distiller and Brewmaster

TJ Vong
Tag Restaurant Group
Lead Bartender

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