The SIP Awards is the first international spirits competition judged solely by consumers and not by industry professional judges. The SIP Awards were instituted in 2009 to celebrate the diversity and high quality of spirits and to recognize the best of the best in an effort to generate unbiased and impartial acknowledgment. The 2011 judging was conducted at the exclusive Vin De Syrah Spirit & Wine Parlor downtown San Diego, California on July 28-29. The Competition included 249 entries from around the world.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. 2011 marked the 11th year of awarding spirits excellence. The 2011 competition was held at the distinguished Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco on March 18,19, and 20th. Competition included 1,106 spirits from 66 countries around the world.

The New York International Spirits Competition is the first major international spirits competition to be judged solely by members of the trade who have purchasing power through their stores, bars, distribution networks and their resulting ability to make a direct impact on brand sales. The 2010 competition was held at the esteemed Brandy Library in the heart of Tribeca, New York and it included 187 spirits from 28 countries.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. 2010 marked the 10th year of awarding spirits excellence. The 2010 competition was held at the distinguished Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco on March 13 and 14th. Competition included 1,024 spirits from 57 countries. Judging panels were comprised of spirits experts from noted restaurants and hotels, spirits journalists from major national media, spirits buyers for large purveyors, and spirits consultants.