As a complement to the list of events just published, here’s a list of Tasting Competitions

Micro Liquor Spirit Awards:: Eligibility: Product sells less than 50,000 9-liter cases annually in USA.  Deadline Oct. 17, 2011.  http://www.microliquorawards.com/

New York International Spirits Awards:  New York, Oct. 16, 2011. www.nyispiritscompetition.com.
Indie Spirits Competition:  November 11, 2011 San Francisco. http://indiespiritsexpo.com/

San Francisco Spirits Competition: 2012 dates TBD.  Entries usually due mid Feb, event Mid-Mar. http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/

San Francisco Wine Competition. Entries due May 25, 2012. Event June 15-17, 2012. http://www.sfwinecomp.com/
Ultimate Beverage Challenge:  http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/

Ultimate Spirit Challenge: Mar 5-9, 2012, entry deadline Feb. 17, 2012 http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/

Ultimate Wine Challenge: April 23-27, 2012, entry deadline April 6, 2012. New York. http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/

Ultimate Cocktail Challenge: June 4-8, 2012, Entry deadline May 18, 2012.  This has been expanded in 2011 to include two sections, “Classic Cocktails” and “Signature Cocktails”.  http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/

Beverage Testing Institute:

BTI conducts a series of tastings of both wine and spirits by category throughout the year. They also run a value wine competition and  packaging competitions for spirits and wine. http://www.tastings.com/trade.html

The Wine Trials:

This is actually a book published annually and focusing on generally available wines retailing at under $15.  There is no fee to participate.  Deadline for entries usually in October.  www.fearlesscritic.com

IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition):  2012 deadlines TBD. http://www.iwsc.net/news1/488

International Spirits Challenge:  Put on by Drinks International Magazine, Entry deadlines vary by category but generally April/May.
http://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/

Spirit Masters

Run by Drinks Business/Spirits Business Magazine. 2012 dates TBD, but usually end June. http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/content/view/10862/444/

SIP Awards:

www.sipawards.com, Deadline for submission May, 2012.