IWSC reveals spirit winners

The International Wine & Spirit Competition unveiled its spirit medal and trophy winners last night at a tasting held in conjunction with The Worshipful Company of Distillers at the Innholders’ Hall in London.

The event offered guests the opportunity to taste their way through 200 of this year’s award winning spirits and liqueurs.

Among the top performers were Janneau, whose Armagnacs won six medals, including a gold (best in class) and El Dorado Rum, which also won six medals, including three gold (best in class), and the IWSC Trophy for Rum 2010.

Three gold (best in class) among its six medals helped Svedka to scoop The Purity Vodka Trophy in a competitive category, although Smirnoff’s flavoured range also performed strongly.

For the whiskies, Glenmorangie, Caol Ila, Laphroaig and The Balvenie topped the single malt Scotch categories, with Hankey Bannister taking The William Grant Independence Trophy for Blended Scotch Whisky and Suntory’s The Hakashu triumphing to win The Brown-Forman Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey.

Sainsbury’s topped the supermarket medal table with two gold (best in class) medals for its Superior Dark Rum and Dún Léire Single Malt Irish Whiskey 8 YO, as well as four silver medals for its Taste the Difference 12 YO Armagnac, Taste the Difference XO Cognac Single Cru Grande Champagne, Taste the Difference Blackfriars London Dry Gin and Taste the Difference French Brandy XO.

Tesco won a gold (best in class) medal with its Finest 12 YO Whisky, in addition to two silvers for its whisky, a category which also saw the Co-op take three silver medals and one for Waitrose.

In one of the more surprising results, Oliver Cromwell 1599 Premium Gin, an own label gin from value retailer Aldi scooped the Gin & Vodka Association Trophy for Gin in a victory that was hailed as being just as important for the retailer as it is for the brand.

IWSC competition director Frances Horder said: “Aldi’s success in the IWSC may come as a surprise to consumers but they have been steadily gaining credibility in the industry for their spirits category in recent years, winning the International Wine and Spirit Competition European Retail Spirits Buyer Trophy in 2009.

“We are delighted for the buying team and their suppliers for their deserved success and we hope this award will give consumers the reassurance and guidance they need to pick this product off the shelf."

For full results, visit the IWSC website: www.iwsc.net

•    The Purity Vodka Trophy: Svedka Vodka
•    The IWSC Trophy for Sake: Kiwami-Daiginjo Sakura-Muromachi Muromachi Jidai
•    The IWSC Trophy for Shochu: Hallasan Hoboksul Shochu
•    The Gin & Vodka Association Trophy for Gin: Oliver Cromwell 1599 Premium Gin
•    The Spirituosenakademie Trophy for Fruit Spirits (Distilled): Acquavite di Pere Williams Reserve
•    The IWSC Trophy for Tequila/Mezcal: Sierra Tequila Reposado
•    The IWSC Trophy for Rum: 15 Year Old El Dorado Rum
•    The IWSC Trophy for Pomice Brandy: Le Giare Grappa Afinata Amarone
•    The Distell Trophy for Grape Brandy: KWV Laborie Alambic
•    The IWSC Trophy for Cognac: Origin ‘Le Reviseur’ Extra Single Estate Cognac
•    The William Grant Independence Trophy for Blended Scotch Whisky: Hankey Bannister Blended Scotch Whisky 40 YO
•    The IWSC Trophy for Single Malt Scotch Whisky (No Age Stated): Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX Single Malt Scotch Whisky
•    The IWSC Trophy for Single Malt Scotch Whisky (15 Years and Under): Caol Ila 12 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky
•    The Whyte & Mackay Trophy for Cask Strength Scotch Whisky: Laphroaig 25 Year Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
•    The IWSC Trophy for Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Over 15 Years): The Balvenie Portwood 21 YO Single Scotch Whisky
•    The Brown-Forman Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey: The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 18 YO
•    The IWSC Trophy for Liqueur: VVH Vodka Caramel Liquor

Gabriel Savage, 28.07.2010