Pernod Ricard collected two Silver medals in this flight for Beefeater Pink Light and Beefeater Light. “This is an interesting category as there is still a decent amount of ABV,” noted Chambers at the end of the flight. “This helps to drive the flavours and aromas – some decent products on show.”

Smith was just as excited about this round. He noted: “Some superb products that really encapsulates their alcoholic counterparts, balance of sweetness and sourness.” We are currently full until Easter and will start taking names from Friday 23rd February (delayed from 2nd Feb) for children aged 5-18. For under 5s we recommend https://drcassie.co.uk/. We do not recommend other centres but you could also try Pebble: https://www.pebbleautism.co.uk/ , https://autism-psychology.co.uk and /https://asd-adhd-assessors.co.uk/ Gold‐winning Ceder’s Wild was found to be “complex, with ginger and woody spice”. Smith said: “It mixes well and has good potential with soda, tonic, ginger ale, Coke.” Drinkers are switching out full-strength spirits for lower-ABV alternatives The judges also awarded 12 Gold medals in this heat. Four Pillars Bloody Bandwagon was one of the Gold winners, enjoyed for its “sweet, red‐berry” nose, with a “good level of dryness and complexity on the palate – even when mixed with tonic water”.The third group consisted of: Rosie Lees, co‐founder and director of Nineteen94; Sara Jane Eichler, founder of Negroni Club UK; and Matt Chambers, spirits writer and cofounder of the Whisky for Everyone blog, who chaired.

Anora Group gained two of the three top awards for OP Anderson Original (1891) and OP Anderson Klar. The former entry was found to have “plenty of caraway on the nose”, leading to a “tangy and earthy palate with a slight nutty hint, white pepper and earthy warmth”. The flight closed with 11 Silver medals, which included Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda, Banks Herbarium and Pink Grapefruit Tonic, and White Tea & Calamansi Cold Brew Nitro Tea. Uresti said: “There were some amazing products in this flight, and we saw the category not involving too much sugar or acids, but finding a way to balance both.”While you are waiting we recommend our Embracing Autism course: https://www.theyarethefuture.co.uk/parenting-courses/ In the Non‐Alcoholic Liqueur (less than 0.5% ABV) flight, Silk Cream Liq.eur with Maca Concept from Creamy Creation (B2B) received a Gold medal. Kiely’s panel noted the “vanilla aroma, custard‐like”, and found the palate to be “well‐textured, indulgently creamy, and very good”. High-quality options are growing for lower-alcohol dark ‘spirits’ Lees noted: “A very diverse category, good to see natural flavours and very good to see balance achieved.” A second Master was awarded to Pallini Limonzero, which offered a “great lemon aroma” on the nose. “Excellent body and lemony taste that resembles limoncello greatly. Slight spiciness at the end, but overall great,” noted Prousaefs. In the following flight – Non‐Alcoholic Dark ‘Spirit’ (less than 0.5% ABV) – three Golds and three Silvers were awarded.

Specialist Emotional / Behavioural Support for children with autism or ADHD diagnosis or suspected autism /ADHD: I am afraid we have a long waiting list and will not be taking new names until Friday 12th January. Please do try the National Autistic Society for other suggestions. Please also take a look at our Embracing Autism course: https://www.theyarethefuture.co.uk/parenting-courses/

Hoppy and citrusy” notes on the nose secured a Master medal for Aperitivø Classicø. Smith said: “There was a nice bittersweet interplay. Good intensity, and with soda it’s Americano‐esque.” The data came from IWSR’s No‐ and Low‐ Alcohol Strategic Study, which looked at 10 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, the UK and the US. In terms of volume, the low‐and-no sector rose by 7% in the regions in 2022. The figures are testament to the ongoing consumer interest in low‐and‐no products. Three Gold medals were also awarded in this flight: “well‐balanced, rounded” Everleaf Marine, “sweet and bitter” Fluère Bitter, and “bright, light and minty” De Kuyper Zero 0% Mojito. Six Silver medals completed the flight. The first panel to gather at the Ibis Styles hotel in London Bridge comprised: Antony Moss MW, qualifications director at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET); Joyce Yu‐Hua Chou, translation project manager at the WSET; and Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions, who led the group.

With the tasting complete, the judges reset their palates in preparation for the Taste Master assessment. All of the Master winners were repoured for each judge, who was tasked with choosing their favourite low‐and-no product from the day. With the majority of the votes, The Low & No Taste Master 2023 title was bestowed upon De Kuyper Zero 0% Margarita. Two Silver medals were also awarded in this flight, with one going to Merser Small Rum, and a second to Vegvisir. Seedlip Spice also found favour with the judges, winning a Gold medal. Tasting notes included: “Clove oil, cinnamon, and warming Christmas spices.” Ten Silver medals completed the flight, including medals for Glory Mornin’ Super Vivid, Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit, and Siegfried Wonderleaf. The runaway popularity of low- and no-alcohol ‘spirits’ has led to a huge increase in brands and products entering the sector. And this influx appears to have led to a rise in quality. Low- and no-alcohol has risen in popularity as consumers seek lighter servesThe next flight to be sampled was Low‐ Alcohol (6% to 25% ABV). The judges were impressed by Savoia Americano Rosso, awarding a Gold medal. Lees found this to be “rich and aromatic on the nose, nicely bitter and herbal on the palate. Delicious balance of sweetness with a lovely, lingering aftertaste.” These are currently on hold. We will make a decision around restarting for 2024 in January. In the meantime please do try http://www.oxfordadhdcentre.co.uk/ verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ In the Lower‐Alcohol (26% to 30% ABV) round, meanwhile, Beefeater Botanics Lemon and and Ginger walked away with an impressive Gold medal. A large flight of Non‐Alcoholic White ‘Spirit’ (less than 0.5% ABV) delivered a pair of Master medallists.