Discover how EVOO is evaluated in international competitions and what the awards won by Ad-Morum mean. Recognized and proven quality.
Ad-Morum Awards: how EVOO is evaluated in competitions
Feb 10, 2026
The Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) sector boasts some of the most demanding competitions in the gastronomic world. Each year, hundreds of producers from around the globe submit their oils to be evaluated through professional tastings and strict technical analyses.
At Ad‑Morum, we have consistently stood out season after season, earning significant awards in leading competitions such as Top 100 EVOOLEUM, Los Angeles EVOO Awards, Virtus Awards, Olive Japan, Athena IOOC, Dubai Olive Oil Competition, as well as a score of 9.45 in the IberOleum 2025 guide.
These accolades reflect the quality, balance, and consistency of our early harvest EVOO, the result of meticulous production from the olive grove to the bottle.
Table of Contents
- How EVOO is evaluated in international competitions
- Types of awards and what each category means
- Awards obtained by Ad-Morum
- What these awards mean for the consumer
- Conclusions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How EVOO is evaluated in international competitions
Although each competition applies its own regulations, almost all follow a process based on three fundamental pillars: sensory evaluation, chemical parameters, and comparison with national/international samples.
Sensory evaluation by a professional panel
Tasting is always done blind. Judges evaluate:
- Intensity and cleanliness of fruitiness
- Aromatic complexity (grass, green almond, tomato plant, leaf, apple…)
- Balance between bitterness and pungency
- Persistence
- Overall harmony
- Total absence of defects
Chemical parameters
Many competitions also require certified analyses that verify:
- Acidity
- Peroxide index
- UV absorbance (K232, K270)
- Polyphenol content
These indicators determine freshness, stability, and the rigor of the production process.
Comparison between international samples
Competitions usually receive between 300 and over 1,000 EVOOs from around the world.
Winning a medal means having stood out against oils from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Chile, Japan, the United States, or Australia, among others.
Winning a medal means having stood out against oils from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Chile, Japan, the United States, or Australia, among others.
Types of awards and what each category means
Although each competition uses its own system, most use scales based on sensory scoring:
Gold
The highest category. Recognizes exceptional oils, with an outstanding sensory profile and very high aromatic complexity.
Silver
Oils of excellent quality, with a good aromatic structure, though slightly less complex than Gold.
Bronze
High-quality oils within the competition, with a clean and technically well-produced profile.
Awards obtained by Ad-Morum
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Los Angeles EVOO Awards (bronze 2024) First participation and first recognition in one of the most important competitions in the United States, with over 400 oils submitted.
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Virtus Awards (Gold 2022 and Great Gold 2023-2024) Our oils received Superior Gold and Gold medals in this international competition held in Lisbon, which evaluates wines, spirits, and EVOOs over several campaigns.
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Olive Japan (Silver 2024) A benchmark competition in Asia. Our early harvest EVOO was highlighted for its purity, balance, and character.
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Athena IOOC (Gold 2024) International recognition in a competition that values quality, varietal typicality, and sensory excellence.
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Mezquita Awards (Silver 2024) First year of participation and first medal in this Iberian competition with a trajectory since 2014.
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Dubai Olive Oil Competition (Gold 2024) One of the most influential competitions in the Middle East. Highlights the quality, innovation, and stability of Ad‑Morum EVOO.
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Top 100 EVOOLEUM 2025 – score 93/100 Selected among the 100 best oils in the world according to one of the most recognized international guides.
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IberOleum 2024 – score 8.3 Recognized as one of the most highly valued oils of the 2024 campaign. |
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IberOleum 2025 – score 9.45 |
These awards not only certify the quality of the oil presented each year but also reflect the regularity, seriousness, and technical rigor of Ad‑Morum throughout the entire process.
What these awards mean for the consumer
Real quality guarantee
The panels certify the oils without visible brands. There are no subjective opinions: only professional analyses.
Consistency across campaigns
Winning awards continuously demonstrates rigor and regularity in production.
Transparency
Implies that the oil meets excellent sensory and chemical parameters.
Trust in the origin
Consumers know they are buying a high-end early harvest EVOO with international recognition.
Conclusions
International medals are not just a simple distinction: they represent a technical and sensory validation of the work carried out in each campaign.
For Ad‑Morum, these recognitions confirm that our early harvest EVOO is among the most valued in the world, standing out for its intense fruitiness, balance, and unique character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is an EVOO without awards necessarily worse?
No. But medals provide an external and independent guarantee of quality.
Are competitions reliable?
Serious competitions conduct blind tastings by certified panels and apply very strict standards.
Are new samples submitted every year?
Yes. Each campaign is different, and competitions require submitting oil from the most recent harvest.
Does a medal always guarantee quality?
It guarantees that the submitted batch met standards at the time of evaluation, and that the producer follows good production practices.
Why do awards generate consumer trust?
Because they technically validate the oil's flavor, quality, and process by impartial experts.
Discover our award-winning early harvest EVOO and enjoy an oil internationally recognized for its quality and character.
