Distillers pick up over 300 medals at global spirits competition
SCOTTISH distillers celebrated success at the recent International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) as 368 Scottish spirits were awarded medals.
Multiple award winners included Burn Stewart Distillers, Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Whyte & Mackay, William Grant & Sons and International Beverage Holdings.
International Beverage Holdings marketing director Karen Walker said the firm, which picked up 22 medals including ‘Gold Outstanding’ medals for its Hankey Bannister and Balblair whisky brands, had been “recognised in this most important platform and in tough competition against the very best that the industry has to offer”.
The craft distillery movement is on the rise with awards for many new producers.
“A medal here is a true global mark of distinction, at a time when all our brands are growing and performing exceptionally well in markets all over the world,” said Walker.
“It’s also an acknowledgement of the talent and dedication of the people who work across our distilleries and brand team each day to make our distinctive whiskies and spirits.”
Scottish whisky was also recognised in five of the competition’s 18 trophy categories.
William Grant & Sons picked up the Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years and Under and Single Malt Whisky No Age Statement trophies for The Balvenie Single Barrel First Fill Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 year old and Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky respectively.
Independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co was awarded the Cask Strength Scotch trophy for Old Particular Craigellachie Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 17 year old; Morrison Bowmore Distillers claimed the Single Malt Scotch Whisky over 15 years trophy for Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 25 year old; and Chivas Brothers took the Independence Blended Scotch Whisky Trophy for Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky Deluxe Blend 18 year old.
A medal here is a true global mark of distinction.
There was also success for smaller distilleries including the Kilchoman Distillery on Islay and the Ben Nevis Distillery, which were both awarded medals.
Ewan Lacey, general manager at IWSC, said this year’s results highlighted “some interesting findings”.
“The craft distillery movement is on the rise, with a surge of new producers winning awards,” said Lacey.
