In contemporary world where consumers strive for authenticity and experiences, the organizer of the competition, the Association Spiš, offered a unique opportunity to insight the world of senses where taste and quality join the abundance of the nature fruits through the event „Carpathian Quality“.
Unique event „Carpathian Quality“ was held on September 23, 2023 in the premises of the Spiš Distillery in Stará Ľubovňa – prize awards of international competition of fruit and grain distillates. The event organizer – Association Spiš, in cooperation with the Slovak Order of Distillate Knights, took the visitors to the heart of Carpathian Mountains and offered them the opportunity to discover and taste the best what the picturesque region offers. The competition is focused on evaluation and appreciation of quality distillates made of fruit and grain, evaluating particular distillate samples according to four properties – taste, aroma, purity and character.
„Carpathian Quality“ gives an opportunity to distillers and producers to present their products and compare them to distillates from various regions, taking in account various regional and traditional aspects of distillation. They differ from one another because of climatic and soil conditions, as well as various methods of raw material processing, fermentation processes and subsequent distillation where a final product represents a masterwork of the master distiller.
It is a combination of culture, quality and uniqueness of the products. The visitors had opportunity to taste various products which are made with love and passion and reflect diversity and quality. Total 233 samples were registered for the first annual competition „Carpathian Quality“, thereof 157 samples supplied by cultivators and 76 samples supplied by distilleries from the EU countries. The event culminated with the prize awards to the winners in particular categories and tasting of the winning samples.
The participants had opportunity to „taste“ for example softness of strawberries, aroma of junipers and other natural tastes that spoil the taste buds. Each sample was evaluated by the international professional jury based on four criterions – taste, aroma, texture and overall quality.
Zamoyski Brandy from company GAS Familia became the competition champion in the category „Distilleries“. Plum brandy from Vladimíra Jurenková from Myjava became the champion in the category „Cultivation Distilleries and Natural Persons“. „Carpathian Quality“ is more than an event; it is an experience, an invitation in the world of senses where the nature treasures and skills are encountered with enthusiasm and interest of visitors. It is an adventure where the culture, taste and quality join together and create an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains.