Title: Premiere of the European R(h)um Award in Vienna
Subheadline: Expert jury crowns Europe’s finest spirits – live at the Vienna Rum Festival.

In 2025, a brand-new highlight will premiere at the Vienna Rum Festival: the European R(h)um Award. Europe’s finest spirits will compete against each other – evaluated by an international expert jury in a public blind tasting, right before the eyes of festival visitors.

The Expert Jury – Competence in the Glass
The jury of the European R(h)um Award unites experience, expertise, and passion. It stands for transparency, neutrality, and the highest level of sensory competence.

The jury members:

• Roland Graf – Graduate of the West Indian Rum Academy, tasting director, and author for Mixology, Falstaff, and Cigar Journal.
• Erhard Ruthner, BEd – Diploma Sommelier, Certified Advisor of Spirits, founder of raise-your-spirits.at and austro-spirits.at, organizer of hundreds of tastings and seminars.
• Markus Braun – Global Mezcal Ambassador in Austria (Mezcal Institute), Certified Bourbon Steward, jury member at international competitions.
• Rafael Topf – Head of Assortment & Expertise at Del Fabro Kolarik, spirits insider with deep insights into the scene and trade.
• Melanie Castillo – Bartender of the Year 2024 (Gault&Millau), host of the American Bar Barfly’s and founder of Castillo’s Eis & Bar.

Vienna RumFestival
📍 Ort: Ottakringer Brauerei, Ottakringer Platz 1, Eingang Ecke Nepomuk Berger Platz, 1160 Wien
📅 Datum: 19.+20. Sep. 2025
🎟 Tickets: Tickets für Vienna Rumfestival

About Vienna RumFestival
The Vienna Rumfestival is the leading stage for rum and rhum in the heart of Europe. Producers, traders and enthusiasts come together in Vienna to celebrate diversity, craftsmanship and quality.

Title: Premiere of the European R(h)um Award in Vienna
Subheadline: For the first time, Europe’s finest spirits will be awarded as part of the Vienna Rum Festival – live and transparent before attendees.

In 2025, the European R(h)um Award will be presented for the very first time at the Vienna Rum Festival. A competition that puts Europe’s best products in the spotlight – fair, transparent, and accessible to all visitors.

Producers, distributors, and retailers submit their finest products, which will be evaluated by an international panel of experts in a blind tasting. The unique aspect: the tasting takes place live at the festival, allowing visitors to witness the evaluation process up close.

“We want to create full transparency and a fair platform. The decision is made solely in the glass – brand or label play no role,” say the organizers.

Die Jury besteht aus international anerkannten Expertinnen und Experten aus Bar, Handel, Destillerien, Sensorik und Fachmedien. Mit dabei sind Melanie Castillo, Mag. Roland Graf, Erhard Ruthner, Markus Braun und Rafael Topf.

The winners of 2025 will be announced in September.

Vienna RumFestival
📍 Ort: Ottakringer Brauerei, Ottakringer Platz 1, Eingang Ecke Nepomuk Berger Platz, 1160 Wien
📅 Datum: 19.+20. Sep. 2025
🎟 Tickets: Tickets für Vienna Rumfestival

About Vienna RumFestival
The Vienna Rumfestival is the leading stage for rum and rhum in the heart of Europe. Producers, traders and enthusiasts come together in Vienna to celebrate diversity, craftsmanship and quality.