The Low & No Masters 2026 outcomes are in

Our judges kicked off the brand new yr by tasting a big collection of low-and-no serves, and located whereas the class gives a bunch of fine manufacturers, producers ought to deal with intensifying flavours to face out.

Roughly 61 million folks have been recruited into the no-alcohol class between 2022 and 2024. For low-alcohol, that recruitment quantity – spanning IWSR’s the highest 10 markets of Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, the UK and the US – was 38m.

Unsurprisingly, the no-and-low sector loved wholesome double-digit progress in 2024, with a 13% improve. It’s arduous proof of the alternatives and intrigue that the low-and-no merchandise present.

To kick off the 2026 version of The World Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC), low- and no-alcohol drinks have been put via their paces to find merchandise that deserve Grasp, Gold or Silver medals.

Two groups of unbiased knowledgeable judges gathered in London to evaluate this yr’s entries. Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Enterprise, and chair of The GSMC, led the primary group, which included Ruchira Neotia, drinks presenter, author and founding father of Ruchira’s Desk, and Karen Taylor, co-founder of the Whisky For Everybody weblog.

Sarah Miller, co-founder of the Gin A Ding Ding weblog, chaired the second group. She was joined by choose Matt Chambers, co-founder of Whisky For Everybody.

A powerful begin

The opening flight of Non-Alcoholic White Spirits (lower than 0.5% ABV) bought the blind tasting off to a powerful begin. A Grasp medal was offered to Tanqueray 0.0% because the judges praised how a lot this resembled precise gin. “Brilliant lime and hints of citric acid on the nostril with underlying herbaceous notes. It opens up on the palate with good notes of juniper and herbs, and size on the end. It stands up very nicely to mixing, with the juniper nonetheless shining via,” famous Miller.

A powerful set of seven Gold medals have been additionally awarded, alongside three Silvers. Gold medallists included Hayman’s London 0%, described as being “delightfully floral with underlying citrus, which stands up in opposition to tonic”. Lyre’s White Cane secured a Gold for notes of “guava and fermenting mango with hints of cooked banana”.

Up subsequent got here a flight of Non-Alcoholic Darkish Spirits (lower than 0.5% ABV). A duo of Golds have been delivered, together with one to Sober Spirits Rum, which had a “pleasant stability of sweetness and astringency – positively jogs my memory of the actual deal”, famous Taylor. Fellow Gold winner L’Epicé was preferred for notes of “Cola Cubes on the nostril and palate, with vanilla, mild spice, and a few cloves”.

Following this, the judges turned their consideration to Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs (lower than 0.5% ABV). This was the most important flight of the tasting, demonstrating the amount of manufacturers taking part in on this a part of the no-and-low class. The outcomes have been stable, too. Seven Gold medals and 5 Silvers left a optimistic impression on the judges. Amongst these merchandise deemed deserving of the Gold accolade was Lyre’s Italian Spritz. The judges famous how the liquid “labored nicely with tonic water”. Kiely added: “There’s somewhat sweetness; good stability, I like this quite a bit. It’s an amazing choice for shoppers.”

Within the Non-Alcoholic Bitters (lower than 0.5% ABV) flight that adopted, a Silver medal was awarded to Sober Spirits Bitter 0.0%, which offered “some underlying spice, natural notes; it turns into extra bitter and tannic with time”.

Three extra Silvers gave the medal tally a lift within the Non-Alcoholic Liqueurs (Much less Than 0.5% ABV) warmth. The winners have been: Sloe Djin, which had “a number of plum and marzipan, and a pinch of peppery spice”; “nutty, marzipan, almonds, vanilla sweetness” Sober Spirits Amaretto 0.0%; and “nice, almond-forward with mild espresso flavours” Lyre’s Espresso Amaretti. Miller stated of the flight: “Pure, genuine flavours carried out finest.”

In a tasting of pre-mixed and ready-to-drink no- and low-alcoholic cocktails, a wave of Gold medals generated pleasure.

Alongside one Silver, 9 Gold medals have been awarded within the flight. The Sir James 101 model carried out notably nicely, accumulating 4 of the Gold medals for varied merchandise. Amongst its Gold winners was a Paloma, which was preferred for its “sturdy carbonation, and good grapefruit flavour. It’s zesty and barely bitter – a sublime drink, very satisfying,” Neotia stated.

Cutty Sark & Ginger Ale was additionally among the many Gold award winners, and delighted with its “well-integrated, mild malty notes from the whisky. Nice carbonation. This can be a very approachable Scotch and ginger ale serve,” Kiely commented.

The Low-Alcohol Apéritif flight led to a Gold for 17.2% ABV Savoia Orancio. The judges commented on its “barely candy, perfumed nostril with orange and elderflower, and a bitter notice within the background”. Upon tasting, they described Savoia Orancio as having “a number of complexity, and a well-balanced mixture of bitter and sweetness, with wine notes lingering on the end”.

Within the Low-Alcohol Serve flight, Warner’s 0% Pink Berry Spritz acquired a Silver medal with its “mild berry and floral notes”.

The judges have been nonetheless reminiscing about Tanqueray 0.0% after they’d reached the top of the tasting, which was awarded The Low & No Style Grasp 2026 title.

Reflecting on the outcomes, there was widespread settlement the low-and-no class may benefit from embracing extra genuine flavours. Taylor famous: “One optimistic I did take away is there was quite a bit much less sweetness, which I’ve had in earlier expertise. And there are some actually attention-grabbing flavours being offered.”

Neotia added: “We have to take a leaf out of the e-book of mixers with flavours, and try and create extra distinctive non-alcoholic drinks slightly than options to current classes. That’s a very arduous factor to do nicely.”

The judges additionally thought there was a have to dial-up the depth of flavour in no-and-low merchandise. Kiely concluded: “When you combine them, it’s arduous for flavours to face up with out the alcohol. I positively suppose manufacturers is usually a bit braver and bolder in creating intense flavours, and it’ll do wonders for the choices obtainable to drinkers.”

Associated information

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Popping off: how are manufacturers elevating low and no?