Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
"48 points! It's almost a perfect score!"
"That's so impressive! Is Reese Tavern's Explosive Liquor going to win the gold award this year?"
The crowd erupted in a commotion too. There was barely liquor that was above 40 points in the previous 30-odd groups, and that above 45 points was even rarer. The Explosive Liquor was just two points away from the perfect score. Based on the past years' experience, it had a very high chance to win the
gold award.
Reese Tavern was very famous in Rodu. It was one of the top-ranked high-end taverns in the capital. Even though it had never won the gold award before, many of its alcoholic drinks had received the silver award.
The Explosive Liquor was Reese Tavern's signature liquor. One could easily see the Reese Tavern's boss' ambition since he used the Explosive Liquor to take part in the competition and receive all the judges' recognition.
Everyone subconsciously looked at the middle-aged man in a golden, luxurious robe with neatly combed and shiny hair who was sitting in the front row.
"Congratulations, Mr. Boris. Looks like you have a high chance of winning this year."
The people around already started to congratulate him.
The rather respectable-looking middle-aged man cupped his hands smilingly. He didn't come off as too excited.
The liquor's smell is only above average. Seems like this liquor has something unique in its texture, Mag thought. 48 points was indeed a high score. At least judging from the previous scores, these five judges were professional and stringent.
"The boss of Reese Tavern is very formidable. He has many taverns, and each tavern has many signature drinks. Apparently, he has recruited many formidable brewers, and has been trying to come up with even better alcoholic drinks." Eiffie introduced Boris while looking at the man with an admiring
gaze.
Mag nodded. He also stole a few glances at Boris.
Anyone who dared to invest energy and money into innovation was admirable because their existence propelled the industry forward.
Meanwhile, a tavern with many drink options had a very strong core competitiveness. Perhaps this was why Reese Tavern was one of the top taverns in Rodu despite not having a gold award.
After the Explosive Liquor received a high score, there were a few more liquor entries that received around 45 points.
Most of them were liquor that had gotten the gold award before, but according to the liquor-tasting event's rules, extra three points would be taken off if the previous gold award winner didn't have any obvious improvements.
"This rule is very smart." Mag couldn't help praising after hearing Eiffie's explanation.
This was a rule that encouraged outstanding brewers to continue to improve and innovate; at the same time, it also gave the younger brewers a chance.
"The Wine and Liquor Association is an organization founded by alcoholic drinks lovers. In essence, it's a consumer association," Eiffie said smilingly.
Irina, who had been quiet, looked at the judges on the stage, and said, "Won't they get drunk?"
It was already the 45th group now. Although they were sampling the liquor with small glasses and taking small sips, they had already mixed over 200 alcoholic drinks together. Even drinking one small sip per liquor would require them to have a high alcohol tolerance.
Eiffie smilingly explained, "The judges' alcohol tolerance is quite good, so there's usually no problem. Even if the judges became tipsy, there are a few reserve judges that could go up and take their place, making sure that the liquor-tasting event could go on."
"Their alcohol tolerance is indeed shocking." Mag nodded. His alcohol tolerance was okay, but he wasn't confident that he could still stay sober after drinking over 200 kinds of liquor.
However, the five judges did look tired after drinking 200-odd liquor types and making reviews, so they weren't as enthusiastic as when they had first started.
"Next, it's the 50th group," the emcee announced, and a staff member quickly carried a black and narrow bottle up.
"I's Titan Liquor!" Eiffie couldn't help sitting straight up, and her gaze closely followed that liquor carried by the staff member.
There was also a hint of interest on Mag's face. With Titan Liquor's quality and 30 years' age in the cellar, it would unquestionably vanquish that so-called Explosive Liquor.
The audience was also a little tired. The more anticipated liquor names had already been presented in the liquor-tasting event, so the suspense was already gone. This year's gold award would most likely be given to Explosive Liquor.
The staff member showed the intact seal on the bottle to the audience before removing the cork in front of everyone, and pouring it into the glasses.
The rich liquor's aroma slowly spread out. It was a graceful marriage of the grapefruit's fragrance and aged wood's fragrance. It invigorated the initially dull venue immediately.
"This aroma!" Baron Kurt instantly stood up, and stared at the glass brought over by the staff member with disbelief.
The golden liquid swirled in the glass, sparkling like a gem.
"Isn't this… Titan Liquor? Marcus' personal brew!" Fergus also stood up with an incredulous expression.
Kurt and Fergus's reaction and words caused a small commotion in the crowd.
Titan Liquor was the gold-award liquor at the very first liquor-tasting event 30-odd years ago. It was created by Brewer Marcus. With its unique fragrance and incredible power, it left a legendary shadow on Rodu's liquor scene.
However, ever since Marcus died in a burglary, the authentic Titan Liquor died along with him.
Even though Titan Tavern was still in operation, the Titan Liquor that his daughter Eiffie made was far inferior to the original Titan Liquor, so Titan Tavern slowly became a third-rate tavern.
Titan Tavern had taken part in the liquor-tasting event every year, but its score was never above 30. It couldn't even make it past the passing mark.
They didn't expect the Titan Liquor from Titan Tavern this year made the previous liquor pale in comparison just with its fragrance alone. This made all the judges and audience excited.
"It's indeed the gold-award liquor of the very first liquor-tasting event. Just its smell alone is enough to intoxicate a person."
"It didn't just win the first year's gold award. It won the gold award three times within 10 years back then. Its continual strive for excellence was what made it a real legend."
"The Titan Liquor back then was the best liquor in Rodu. That scent. I can't forget it even after 10-odd years. I didn't expect to smell it again today."
"Yes. It's a pity that a genius brewer like Marcus died so young."
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Eiffie's eyes shimmered with tears as she listened to their conversations.
So, there were people who still remembered her father after so many years. They remembered the Titan Liquor's original smell.
The glasses were sent to the five judges, who all had a complicated expression.
Kurt and Fergus were the founders of the liquor-tasting event back then. They had taken part in awarding the first gold award given to Marcus. They had even witnessed the experiments and innovation Marcus did to Titan Liquor and how Marcus had created the legend of winning three gold awards
within 10 years.
They didn't expect to be served a glass of Titan Liquor brewed by Marcus again after 15 years.
"Miss Eiffie, I respect and like Master Marcus very much. He was a genius brewer and one who was dedicated and persistent. The legend of him and his Titan Liquor is still entrenched in our hearts even after 15 years." Kurt stood and emotionally spoke to Eiffie, who was sitting under the stage. "Thank you
very much for letting us feel his unparalleled charm again, but according to the liquor-tasting event's rules, a liquor that is no longer being brewed cannot take part in the competition, because this means that your customers are not able to buy it in your tavern."
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