Award launched for young spirits writers

The first ever award for spirits writers under the age of 35 has been officially launched in memory of Alan Lodge, news and website editor of the drinks business, who died tragically in February this year, aged 29.

Alan Lodge

The award, conceived by ourselves and friends of Alan, is designed to reward able young writers worldwide who have a passion for spirits.

It was inspired by the urge to celebrate Alan’s journalist talent and the realisation that although there are awards for wine and beer scribes, there is no international award for those who write about spirits.

We have recruited a totally independent team to judge the entries, while Ardbeg, Alan’s favourite Scotch, has kindly agreed to support the award with an all expenses paid trip to the Ardbeg distillery for the winner.

Furthermore, we are offering £1,000 in prize money for the recipient of the award.

The award is free to enter and submissions must be published in English either in print or online between September 2011 and September this year. Entrants must be 35 or under.

Up to four entries can be submitted and should reach us by 28 September. Please email them to info@thespiritsbusiness.com with the subect box heading: “Alan Lodge International Young Spirits Writer of the Year Award”.

The winner will be announced at The Spirits Masters Awards lunch in central London on Tuesday 20 November, where the winner will (we hope) attend as our guest.

For further information please contact Daisy Jones, associate publisher, The Spirits Business on + 44 (0) 20 7803 2452 or email daisy@thespiritsbusiness.com