At Black Velvet Distillery, the journey to creating top-quality spirits begins with our expert sensory panelists, who evaluate the Grain Neutral Spirit (GNS) from the distillation process. Throughout the year, these trained professionals participate in the Vodka Panel Challenge, testing their ability to identify subtle differences in flavor, including hidden references and spiked samples. The panelist with the highest proficiency earns the title of “Velvet Taster of the Year”.

This year, we’re excited to announce that Tracy Smith has won the 2024 Velvet Taster of the Year award! Her dedication, precision, and exceptional skills set her apart. A big congratulations also goes to our runners-up: Casey Barker in second place and Jacob Friel in third.

This friendly competition reflects a Spirited Commitment core behavior of Choose Positivity, where the team works hard, supports each other, and has fun along the way. Thank you to all our panelists for their commitment to quality and consistency. Tracy’s name will be engraved on the Velvet Taster of the Year plaque, serving as a lasting symbol of excellence. Cheers to a year of success and growth!