Hamish Smith took the notes during the mixers session and reveals what happened.
Franklin & Sons’ curious combination of pineapple and almonds has done it again. Bartenders in and out of the BBAs – and in and out of tropical shirts – seem to love it. This year it was a gold medal, with tasting notes of “pineapple zing”, “great carbonation” and “great balanced with almonds”. Franklin & Sons’ classical looks earned it a silver and its price set against these qualities made for a gold too on value for money.
It was actually a tie at the top of our table at 83 points apiece (we gave the nod to the brand with the better taste score), but Schweppes’ new Tropical Soda in second certainly deserves your attention. Our panel “loved” the parma violet colour, the tropical profile – led by guava – and Schweppes’ signature high carbonation. A mark short of gold on taste and design made for a fine showing, and when the price was announced? Schweppes Tropical Soda took gold.
In third was Kazimo Yuzu from consultant and former bartender Marcis Dzelzainis which took gold for taste (“great fresh yuzu”, “vibrant” and “viscous”), gold for its modern canned packaging and silver for all that versus price. Completing the top five was Franklin & Sons Peach & Mango, which the panel loved for its sweet peach notes and refreshing carbonation, and Double Dutch Pink Grapefruit Soda, described as “perfect for a Paloma”.