IWSC reveals 2014 spirits winners

Three major drinks industry trends – own label, craft spirits and gin – proved their quality credentials as the International Wine & Spirit Competition revealed its 2014 spirits results.

Discount supermarket Lidl swept the board, taking home a total of 14 medals, including a Gold Outstanding for its own brand blended Scotch whisky, the £13.29 Queen Margot 8-Year-Old.

There was also a top accolade for Waitrose in this category for its own £18 blended 8-year-old Scotch whisky.

Meanwhile the UK craft spirits scene won significant validation as Adnams became the first English distiller to be awarded the IWSC Vodka Trophy as its Longshore Vodka beat off competition from Poland, France and Russia.

The gin category also demonstrated its ongoing momentum as 20 countries submitted entries, including Slovenia, the US and Wales. The newly introduced London Dry Gin Trophy went to German brand Steinhauser for its See-Gin Bodensee, while Egyptian brand Al Ahram won a silver medal for its Butler’s Gin.

As a mark of growing diversity within the gin category, the Contemporary Gin Trophy was also created this year for the first time, with Seattle-based Captive Spirits Distilling claiming this prize for its Bourbon Barreled Big Gin.

Commenting on the “interesting findings” unearthed by this year’s spirits results, IWSC general manager Ewan Lacey said: “The craft distillery movement is on the rise, with a surge of new producers winning awards. We also had an interesting vodka entry from the USA, Red Eye Louie’s Vodquila – a hybrid spirit of vodka and Tequila. It was awarded a Silver medal proving it’s no gimmick, definitely a trend to watch out for”.

For the full results from this year’s competition visit www.iwsc.net.