How an Award Jury works

Prizes are awarded to rum and other spirits on the basis of carefully defined guidelines, with nothing left to chance.

BEHIND THE AWARDS

Blind tasting under controlled conditions

A jury typically consists of experienced tasters, sommeliers and chefs who deal with taste professionally. On a tasting jury there is usually a wide range of nationalities, and there may be up to 200 tasters.

Blind tasting
The tasting itself is normally conducted blind, which means that the tasters cannot see the bottle. This is to ensure that prior knowledge of a given brand cannot influence their judgement. The tasting is conducted in a well-lit and noise-free room, and each product is served in the same way at the same temperature in the same type of glass. After the blind tasting is finished, some juries combine these impressions with a visual impression of the bottle and in some cases this can result in recognition at that point.

Most taste institutes use the same five criteria for analysis (the AFNOR XP V096A standard): First Impression, Vision, Olfaction, Taste and Final Sensation.


1. First Impression

The taster gives his or her spontaneous and immediate impression of the rum on a scale of 0-100. This first impression is given a relatively high weight in the overall evaluation.

2. Vision
The taster then gives marks for colour, clarity and viscosity (consistency), as compared with the traditional expression that is familiar in the category ‘rum’.

3. Olfaction
The sense of smell then comes into play when the taster gives marks for nose and aroma. Is the rum harmonious and coherent in its expression?

4. Taste
Next, the taster tastes the rum and assesses the experience in the mouth and on the tongue. What is the balance like among the five fundamental tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami? What about the balance between taste and alcoholic strength?

5. Final Sensation
Finally, the taster evaluates the finish that remains in the mouth after the product has been swallowed or spat out into the receptacle used by tasters.

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A taste for any occasion

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175 Years Anniversary

This exceptional spirit drink, with its broad spectrum of aromas and subtleties of taste, offers a unique experience. It is truly a blend aimed at experienced aficionados.
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Thin Blue Line

With this blend we provide support together with the association Thin Blue Line to police officers who have been injured while carrying out their jobs.
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Christmas Edition

With this blend every season will feel like Christmastime. Enjoy these precious drops when you are together with the ones you love.
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Port Cask

It is within the port casks we find the reason for the immaculate and distinct port notes of this blend.
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Ambre d`Or

Ambre d’Or is matured in oak barrels that were originally the home of sweet wines, which contributes to the subtle, full and delicate tasting notes.
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Superior Cask

Our master blender has created a blend with the perfect edge and with a full-bodied taste experience. A true signature made from several carefully selected casks.
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Founders Reserve 44,8%

A collectors item. The third of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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Founders Reserve 44,3%

A collectors item. The second of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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Founders Reserve 44,5%

A collectors item. The first of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.
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Founders Reserve 45,1%

A collectors item. The fourth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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Founders Reserve 44,4%

A collectors item. The fifth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.
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1888 Copenhagen Medal

A modern-day interpretation of the 1888 medal rum. A unique blend, made from several precious casks in the West Indies and Central America.
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Haakon Royal Reserve

The launch of this Limited Edition blend is a celebration of the friendship between two unique men.
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XO Reserve Collection

Black Barrel Navy Spiced

Combine charred barrels with a mixture of spices and the result is the memorable Black Barrel.
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Naval Cadet

Handpicked by our master distillers this blend has the perfect balance between tradition and strength.
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Navy Frogman

The Frogman Corps is the Danish equivalent of the American Navy Seals. When buying a Navy Frogman you commemorate the Conventus Ranae association.
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Navy Strength

Hand-blended by our master distiller in respect to the strong naval traditions.
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Navy Bitter

A tasteful Bitter with the taste of gentian root, quinine, bitter orange, coffee beans and a touch of vanilla.
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The Frigate Jylland

A subtle blend made from rum distillates – both young and old – in respect for naval traditions.
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The Original Navy

It is said that rum from Albert Heinrich Riise was supplied to the naval fleet when they docked in the port of Charlotte Amalie.
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Royal Danish Navy Collection

Family Reserve

This blend is traditionally served at a gathering of the descendants of A.H.Riise once every five years.
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Non Plus Ultra La Galante

Discover a new world of taste and aroma in this exclusive Non Plus Ultra Limited edition.
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Non Plus Ultra Very Rare

We have created something unique and rare and named it Non Plus Ultra which means ‘nothing further beyond’ in Latin.
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Non Plus Ultra Black Edition

Aging in carefully burned old Bourbon casks creates the ultimate blend. We named it Non Plus Ultra which means ‘nothing further beyond’ in Latin.
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Non Plus Ultra Ambre d’Or Excellence

A fantastic sweet and gentle blend with the flavour of ripe fruit and warm spices. We named it Non Plus Ultra which means ‘nothing further beyond’ in Latin.
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Signature

A.H. Riise Signature is simply a piece of unique art. Simply one of a kind.
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Platinum Reserve

A.H. Riise Platinum is created from small batch of unique rum. The heart of the blend is two Solera aged rums from aged casks.
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Centennial Celebration

A tribute blend not only to A.H. Riise, but also to the indigenous population of the islands as well as the Danish colonists.
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Ultra Premium Collection

XO Rum Cream

A smooth cream liqueur with a powerful, flavorsome, and sweet, exquisite taste of XO rum
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XO Caramel Cream

A luxurious cream liqueur with a smooth and sweet taste of XO rum, caramel, and sea salt.
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XO Rum Cream Liqueurs

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XO Rum Cream

A smooth cream liqueur with a powerful, flavorsome, and sweet, exquisite taste of XO rum

XO Caramel Cream

A luxurious cream liqueur with a smooth and sweet taste of XO rum, caramel, and sea salt.

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Family Reserve

This blend is traditionally served at a gathering of the descendants of A.H.Riise once every five years.

Non Plus Ultra La Galante

Discover a new world of taste and aroma in this exclusive Non Plus Ultra Limited edition.

Non Plus Ultra Very Rare

We have created something unique and rare and named it Non Plus Ultra which means ‘nothing further beyond’ in Latin.

Non Plus Ultra Black Edition

Aging in carefully burned old Bourbon casks creates the ultimate blend. We named it Non Plus Ultra which means ‘nothing further beyond’ in Latin.

Non Plus Ultra Ambre d’Or Excellence

A fantastic sweet and gentle blend with the flavour of ripe fruit and warm spices. We named it Non Plus Ultra which means ‘nothing further beyond’ in Latin.

Signature

A.H. Riise Signature is simply a piece of unique art. Simply one of a kind.

Platinum Reserve

A.H. Riise Platinum is created from small batch of unique rum. The heart of the blend is two Solera aged rums from aged casks.

Centennial Celebration

A tribute blend not only to A.H. Riise, but also to the indigenous population of the islands as well as the Danish colonists.

Follow us at

Black Barrel Navy Spiced

Combine charred barrels with a mixture of spices and the result is the memorable Black Barrel.

Naval Cadet

Handpicked by our master distillers this blend has the perfect balance between tradition and strength.

Navy Frogman

The Frogman Corps is the Danish equivalent of the American Navy Seals. When buying a Navy Frogman you commemorate the Conventus Ranae association.

Navy Strength

Hand-blended by our master distiller in respect to the strong naval traditions.

Navy Bitter

A tasteful Bitter with the taste of gentian root, quinine, bitter orange, coffee beans and a touch of vanilla.

The Frigate Jylland

A subtle blend made from rum distillates – both young and old – in respect for naval traditions.

The Original Navy

It is said that rum from Albert Heinrich Riise was supplied to the naval fleet when they docked in the port of Charlotte Amalie.

Follow us at

175 Years Anniversary

This exceptional spirit drink, with its broad spectrum of aromas and subtleties of taste, offers a unique experience. It is truly a blend aimed at experienced aficionados.

Thin Blue Line

With this blend we provide support together with the association Thin Blue Line to police officers who have been injured while carrying out their jobs.

Christmas Edition

With this blend every season will feel like Christmastime. Enjoy these precious drops when you are together with the ones you love.

Port Cask

It is within the port casks we find the reason for the immaculate and distinct port notes of this blend.

Ambre d`Or

Ambre d’Or is matured in oak barrels that were originally the home of sweet wines, which contributes to the subtle, full and delicate tasting notes.

Superior Cask

Our master blender has created a blend with the perfect edge and with a full-bodied taste experience. A true signature made from several carefully selected casks.

Founders Reserve 44,8%

A collectors item. The third of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

Founders Reserve 44,3%

A collectors item. The second of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

Founders Reserve 44,4%

A collectors item. The fifth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

Founders Reserve 45,1%

A collectors item. The fourth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

Founders Reserve 44,5%

A collectors item. The first of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

1888 Copenhagen Medal

A modern-day interpretation of the 1888 medal rum. A unique blend, made from several precious casks in the West Indies and Central America.

Haakon Royal Reserve

The launch of this Limited Edition blend is a celebration of the friendship between two unique men.

Follow us at

Follow us at