Exam Focus
- Identify category-specific declarations for sweetness, carbonation, fruit, process, strength, and specialty ingredients under the current guidelines.
- Use declared intent as context while recording whether the glass actually expresses it.
- Refer missing information or suspected miscategorization to officials rather than moving or disqualifying an entry yourself.
Core concept
Sweetness, carbonation, fruit, strength, process, botanicals, spices, and special ingredients may matter depending on the category. Read the current 2025 requirements rather than relying on older 2015 placement.
Judging and study application
Use declarations as context and report what the glass supports. If information appears missing or an entry seems misplaced, refer the decision through competition procedure rather than silently judging a different category.
Why It Matters
- Older 2015 study material can send an entry to the wrong place under the reorganized 2025 C1–C4 structure.
- A judge who silently substitutes a preferred category evaluates a different target and exceeds panel authority.
Practical Sensory Exercises
Update a legacy entry card
Take one cider described with 2015 category language and locate its likely 2025 family. List the current declarations needed, then write the question you would escalate if the supplied information remains incomplete.
Key Terms
- Declaration
- Entry information required to communicate intent.
- Category placement
- Assignment to the applicable guideline subcategory.
- Entered style
- The criteria against which the panel evaluates the sample.