VINNY STARBLE

March 2, 2021
by Julia Gordon

Vinny came to Chicago in 2017 to study music. As most do, he quickly fell in love with the city, and in turn, the restaurant scene. He decided to pursue a career in hospitality and has worked behind the stick at some of Chicago’s most iconic cocktail bars, including Barrelhouse Flat and Queen Mary Tavern. Vinny joined the opening bar team at Bad Hunter in 2016 and during his tenure as bar manager (2017-2020 when the beloved restaurant sadly closed) was responsible for the development of the award-winning, uber-creative, low-ABV cocktail menu–the first of its kind in Chicago. Adding to his resumé, Vinny was a global finalist in the 2017 Lustau Solera Standout competition and the winner of the 2018 Old Forrester Old Fashioned Face Off. Most recently, as a reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic, he founded HELLO, cocktails, a ready-to-drink cocktail company with a focus on designing thoughtful, shelf-stable beverages. Vinny enjoys sherry, vermouth, and all thing pink and spritzy, and is passionate about functional sustainability, light flavors, and session-able drinking.

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Tastings Journal – 2022 Hofgut Falkenstein Tasting

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This is best viewed in fullscreen mode. Click the fullscreen icon below. [flipbook id="3"] ...

Best of the Year 2022

October 17, 2022
by Andrew Moldenhauer

Looking back at the year 2022 so far, and we have quite a list of Best of Year selections covering the world of Spirits, Wine, Beer, Ready-to-Drink, Seltzers, and more. We also had the opportunity to ...

"The consistency and broad consumer reach of BTI ratings and reviews really solidified the quality message of our artisan brand and helped us build a well-distributed and highly regarded specialty portfolio of beers."

Laurent-Xavier Gilbert,

VP Development at La Brasserie Unibroue

"The BTI rankings have an effect on what restaurants put on their wine lists, and ultimately on what you might be drinking."

Joe Gray,

Editor, Chicago Tribune

"BTI is still the outstanding tasting organization, uniquely independent. Keep up the good work!"

Jan Wells,

VP of Marketing, Cannon Wines

"Beverage Testing Institute is a professional operation with a professional approach. I like that they are committed to truly blind tastings and that their reviews are comprehensive and informative. We highlight the reviews in our tasting room and post them on social media; the consumer response is very positive. "

Edwin Richards,

Winemaker/Owner, Adastra

“Our BTI awards have helped us with our US distribution. Sales have increased form 0 cases to 250 cases in just a couple of months. We opened two new accounts in Seattle and New York.”

Eduardo Aguirre Victoria,

Terre de Vignerons

“[BTI's] Tastings.com is well known as a main reference for connoisseurs, experts and followers of spirits.”

Otto Flores,

Ron Barcelo

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Mike Huffman,

Whidbey Island Distillery

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Janet Soderberg,

Alamira Wines, Vistaflores Estate

When we found out that our 20 year Pappy Van Winkle had been entered in BTI's 1997 World Spirits Championships and received their 99-point rating, that’s when we started getting calls from distributors around the country looking for our whiskey.

That was a benchmark moment for our business. Every time we received a high rating from BTI over the years, interest increased for our brand.

We owe a lot to the Beverage Testing Institute for our success.

Julian P. Van Winkle, III,

President, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

BTI has been our go-to partner for our alcohol awards program for years now, providing quality reviews of our wide selection of wines, beers and hard seltzers. The unique quarterly submission process allows our team to highlight new, trending and seasonal offerings and the staff at BTI is always responsive, collaborative and supportive to help us reach our goals.

Carrie Reitz,

Corporate Buying US, ALDI Inc.

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Jim Cosma,

Atlas Imports

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