International Spirits Challenge 2015

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REWARDING QUALITY, CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE


International Spirits Challenge 3 I DRINKSINT.COM I AUGUST 2015 I SUPPLEMENT TO DRINKS INTERNATIONAL

INTRODUCTION

CHALLENGE THAT INSPIRES Global competition for recognition in the International Spirits Challenge has ramped up yet again this year, with well over 1,300 entries up for tasting across the 13 categories. Trophies where awarded in all 11 spirits categories, scotch being this year’s stand-out with a total of six after the biggest tasting of all throughout the challenge. With the quality level in every category on the rise year on year, the judges also felt moved to bestow Best in Class awards on some of the entries. (These are denoted in the results by the letters BIC.) The companies which racked up most medals across the eight spirits categories are feted, as ever, with our Producer of the Year Awards. Alongside the spirits categories the Design & Packaging and Marketing entries never cease to amaze with their innovative efforts to engage consumers and this year there were some particularly impressive social media and experiential campaigns to wow the judges. Meanwhile, our Special Recognition Awards have opened up to celebrate a Rising Star of the industry alongside the Lifetime Achievement and Master Blender/Distiller of the year titles. For each of the awards our judges were asked to vote for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, innovation, proven business acumen and groundbreaking results. This challenge is an increasingly tough one to judge, but our panels of experts drawn from the worldwide industry continue to be inspired by the efforts of entrants to improve quality and spread global reach.

Contents PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARDS SPECIAL AWARDS RECOGNITION AWARDS SCOTCH WHISKY WORLD WHISKY VODKA OTHER WHITE SPIRITS GIN TEQUILA

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27 28 30

ARMAGNAC, CALVADOS, GRAPPA & PISCO

32

COGNAC DESIGN & PACKAGING MARKETING JUDGES

33 34 37 38

Jaq Bayles

+44 (0)1293 590042 carmen.poel@drinksint.com

Events Account Managers

+44 (0)1293 590048 jaq.bayles@drinksint.com

Events Manager

+44 (0)1293 558130/590044 rick.beaumont@drinksint.com jo.morley@drinksint.com

Sarah Stevens Art Editor

Amber Stoddart

+44 (0)1293 590049 sarah.stevens@drinksint.com

Commercial Director

Events Co-ordinators

Rick Beaumont Jo Morley

Publisher

+44 (0)1293 590043 roger.betriu@drinksint.com

SUPPLEMENT EDITOR

BRANDY RUM & CACHAÇA LIQUEURS

CONTACT Supplement Editor

Roger Betríu

Jaq Bayles

4 7 8 10 16 20 22 24 26

Senior Account Manager

Carmen Poel Francesch

Helen Fallowell Nikayla Langley

+44 (0)1293 590050/558131 helen.fallowell@drinksint.com nikayla.langley@drinksint.com

Justin Smith

Drinks International Longley House, International Drive, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6AQ, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1293 590040 Fax: +44 (0) 1293 474010

+44 (0)1293 590041 justin.smith@drinksint.com

Managing Director

Russell Dodd

+44 (0)1293 590052

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International Spirits Challenge 4 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Producer of the Y

The Producer of the Year Awards reward the best performing drinks producers in t points system, which scores the performance of all brands entered into a single spir

Liqueurs Producer of the Year

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

Gin Producer of the Year

Essential Drinks Company

Distillerie Merlet & Fils has been distilling cognac eaux-de-vie for some of the bestknown cognac houses since 1850. It was the tough economy of the 1970s that led the company to experiment on some alternative cultivations. It planted some blackcurrant bushes and the first crème de cassis bottles were soon produced. A full range of fruit liqueurs followed and has been traded under the Merlet brand since. In 2001 Merlet & Fils created the liqueur Hpnotiq. Sales boomed in the US which allowed the distillery to invest in a modern bottling plant. Since then the company has focused its development on innovation.

Vodka Producer of the Year

LVMH

LVMH garnered seven medals in the vodka category of this years International Spirits Challenge for its Belvedere range of products. The company prides itself on having a focus on a family spirit that places priority on long-term vision. The group’s vocation is to “ensure the development of each of its houses while respecting their identities and their autonomy, providing the resources needed to create, produce and market their products and services through carefully selected channels”. The company was founded in 1593 and achieved sales of E3,973m in 2014.

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With a medals haul of 17, Essential Drinks proves itself as a respected one-stop-shop for drinks brand owners and retailer ownlabel products. Its remit is to provide “a range of services from the production of bulk liquids and private label spirits through to contract packaging and UK sales and distribution”. It counts among its clients the biggest UK grocery stores of Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Waitrose, Spar and the Co-operative company. Essential Drinks provides transport, bottling and cash flow efficiencies in the UK, including bulk shipments of liquid from international partners.

Tequila Producer of the Year

Beam Suntory

Beam Suntory scooped all the top tequila prizes with its El Tesoro range. The products were started by Don Felipe Camarena, an agave grower who was raised in a family that had been making tequila since the early 1800s. The recently formed group claims to be the custodian of brands that have “heritages measured in centuries”. In 1795, farmer Jacob Beam produced the first barrel of whiskey that would become Jim Beam, the Beam company’s flagship brand. The history of Suntory began in 1899 when founder Shinjiro Torii started producing sweet wines.

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e Year awards

cers in the challenge. the results are determined using a weighted ngle spirits category

Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year WilliaM Grant & sons

World Whisky Producer of the Year

nikka WHisky DistillinG CoMpany

Winning an astonishing 46 medals in this year’s International spirits Challenge, William grant & sons continues to prove itself a leader in the scotch category. Company founder William grant is credited with a “self-belief and pioneering spirit” that has been at the heart of what sets the group’s “whisky apart and makes glenfiddich the world’s most awarded single malt scotch whisky, remaining a constant source of inspiration”. William grant & sons says: “We pride ourselves on a range of single malts that offer exploration, from our exceptional signature glenfiddich 12 Year Old to our our rare and sublime glenfiddich 50 Year Old.”

rum Producer of the Year st luCia Distillers

st Lucia Distillers group of companies emerged from a tradition of the on-site, house-special rum production that was a common feature of the West Indian sugar plantation. By the late 1950s, two distilleries remained in the island, one at Dennery, the site of the Barnard family plantation, and the other geest-owned at Roseau, the location of the now st Lucia Distillers group of companies. st Lucia was formed in 1972. today it boasts a range of more than 25 rum and rum-related products which have won honours at international competitions, including six at this year’s IsC.

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Nikka boasts a medals haul of 13 in this year’s International spirits Challenge. Of its two malt whisky distilleries, Yoichi is said to produce rich, peaty and masculine malt which gets its aroma and body from direct heating distillation, in which the pot stills are heated with finely powdered natural coal – “the traditional method that is hardly ever used today, even in scotland”. the location for the other is Miyagikyo Distillery is also in northern Japan, in sendai, and said to have been chosen because of its “clean air, just the right humidity for storage, and underground water filtered through a layer of peat”.

Brandy/Cognac Producer of the Year

kWV

seven medal-winner KWV is one of the leading black empowered companies in the wine and spirits industry and says it is “dedicated to its role as founding member of the association for Responsible alcohol use (aRa)”. It is active in more than 100 markets, with key focus markets including scandinavia, germany, the americas, Japan, and south africa. From its earliest roots in 1918 as a small cooperative of growers, KWV has grown into a global producer of more than 100 products. Its cellars have produced an awardwinning range of products, with its brands rooted in tradition.

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Special Awards Our special awards this year include a new trophy which celebrates the best Supermarket Own Branded Range. Our established Supreme Champion Spirit and Distiller of the Year awards recognise the other outstanding performances of the challenge

Supermarket Own Branded Spirits Range of the Year LIDL

New for this year, the Supermarket Own Branded Spirits Range of the Year recognised Lidl as the overall winner. Based on a weighted points system, the German discount supermarket chain had the best performing ownlabel brands across all categories within this year’s challenge. Lidl has some 10,000 stores across Europe and has gained many plaudits for its drinks selection. Last year its London dry gin pipped many branded products to pick up a gold in the International Spirits Challenge and this year it has garnered awards in the gin, brandy, liqueurs, scotch, world whiskies and cognac categories. The first Lidl store opened in 1973 and by 1977 had risen to 33 stores. Since launching in the UK in 1994, Lidl has grown to some 590 stores.

Supreme Champion Spirit

Distiller of the Year

Our trophy winning spirits are brought together for a final round of tasting by our category chairmen to decide the Supreme Champion Spirit for 2015. The Lejay Noir de Bourgogne received the highest number of points from the chairmen to scoop the main title. Auguste Denis Lagoute created the original Crème de Cassis de Dijon in 1841, in the heart of Burgundy. Noir de Bourgogne is harvested once a year during summer in Burgundy and other northern regions in France. According to UK distributor Latitude Wine & Spirits Merchant: “Upon its arrival to the house of Lejay Lagoute, the fruit de cassis receives an extensive quality review by the maitre de saveurs, who controls not only the temperature, but all of the elements of the longestablished process, to create the best crème de cassis.”

The producer with the highest-scoring performance across all categories is rewarded with the accolade of Distiller of the Year. The award is again based on a weighted points system and rewards the producer’s overall commitment to quality and innovation. Nikka was established in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who began his career in 1918 when he enrolled at the University of Glasgow in Scotland to become the first Japanese ever to study the art of whisky making. He took chemistry courses at the university and apprenticed at distilleries, learning first-hand from

LEJAY NOIR DE BOURGOGNE

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NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING COMPANY craftsmen and receiving training as a blender. Masataka would later become known as a master blender. In 1920 Masataka returned to Japan, joining a company that aspired to make genuine whisky, and produced Japan’s first whisky. In 1934 Masataka established Nikka Whisky, and built its first distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, which he had always considered to be the ideal site in Japan for whisky-making, similar in many ways to the Scottish town where he had studied. In 1969 a second distillery in Miyagikyo was opened.

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Master Blender/ Special Distiller of the Year Recognition Awards DR BILL LUMSDEN, GLENMORANGIE

New for 2015, our Special Recognition awards celebrate the work of individuals in the drinks industry who have made a significant contribution during the past 12 months as well as through their careers. They were determined by a panel of independent judges comprising journalists, authors, spirits consultants and independent experts

Combining mastery of art and science, Dr Bill Lumsden, a biochemistry PhD, joined The Glenmorangie Company as distillery manager in 1995, progressing to his current position as director of distilling and whisky creation. Lumsden is renowned for his “ground-breaking wood management techniques, experimentation with exceptional casks at various ages, and utilisation of extra maturation”. He enjoys travelling the world’s wine and spirit regions, searching for the best oak casks to complement the company’s whiskies. In recognition of his position as a knowledgeable and forward-thinking distiller, Lumsden has won a wide array of prestigious awards and accolades, joined this year by the International Spirits Challenge’s master blender/ distiller of the year.

Rising Star Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

Darren Rook is making waves in spirits after setting up the London Distillery Company with Nick Taylor in 2011 to provide “genuine British Spirits of the best quality and without any adulteration”. The company uses organic ingredients sourced as locally and ethically as possible and aims to be eco-friendly. Rook has a decade of experience in the industry after previous careers in retail and tree surgery. He has also established a Movember charity team of whisky enthusiasts, and has since produced and designed an annual, limited-edition whisky known as Whisky for Movember in partnership with online retailer Master of Malt. He is known too for his blog, The Whisky Guy.

Jim McEwan’s career spans more than 50 years in the whisky industry. It began in 1963 when McEwan, then just 15 years old, started at Bowmore distillery where he quickly rose to become cellarmaster. He then moved to the company’s facility at the Roseburn Bonding Co in Glasgow where he learned the art of blending, before returning to Islay to take over as distillery manager at Bowmore. Recently retired, McEwan was one of the first distillers to travel the world as an ambassador, and gained an international reputation with his advocacy for, and knowledge of, single malt whisky. In 2000 he was approached to become production director of a new regime at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, which was to be reopened under independent ownership after seven years of closure.

DARREN ROOK, LONDON DISTILLERY COMPANY

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Darren Rook

Dr Bill Lumsden

JIM MCEWAN, MASTER DISTILLER & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR, BRUICHLADDICH

Jim McEwan

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International Spirits Challenge 10 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Scotch whisky trophy

trophy

Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers

Ballantine’s 17

Ballantine’s 30

trophy

Monarch Of The Glen Aged 8 Years

trophy

Monkey Shoulder

William Grant & Sons

Quality Spirits International

TASTING NOTE: Aromas of cocoa, chocolate, hint of sherry. Soft and spicy finish.

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TASTING NOTE: Musky, herbal aroma with hints of bourbon and banana. Good texture with oak, fruit and hints of leather on the palate.

TASTING NOTE: Soft, easy Speyside style on the nose. Well developed oak and fruit on the palate. Long medium sweet finish.

TASTING NOTE: Rich, full, Speyside fruit and oak. Rich, full balance. Medium sweet, lingering finish.

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y trophy

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old WiLLiaM gRant & sons

trophy

Invergordon 50th Anniversary Single Grain Whyte & MaCKay

TASTING NOTE: Rich, full, mature oak/fruit aroma. good top notes, oak and fruit on palate. Long, medium sweet finish.

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TASTING NOTE: grain whisky at its zenith – rich, mature, ethereal aromas. powerful delivery on the palate and long, velvety finish.

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International Spirits Challenge 12 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Gold

Gold

Ben Bracken 12 Year Blended Malt (BIC)

Lidl UK

Talisker Dark Storm

Diageo

Bowmore Springtide (BIC)

Morrison Bowmore

Talisker Port Ruighe

Diageo

Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old (BIC)

Distell

The Balvenie Portwood 21 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

The Balvenie Single Barrel First Fill 12 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Johnnie Walker Double Black (BIC)

Diageo

The Glenlivet XXV

Chivas Brothers

Talisker 10 Year Old (BIC)

Diageo

The Great Macaulay

Quality Spirits International

The Singleton Of Glen Ord 18 Year Old Single Malt (BIC) Diageo

The Singleton Of Glen Ord 12 Year Old Single Malt

Diageo

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old

John Dewar & Sons

Whyte & Mackay Blended Scotch Whisky

Whyte & Mackay

Ancnoc 12 Year Old

International Beverage

Balblair 1983

International Beverage

Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore 17 Year Old White Sands

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore 18 Year Old

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore Tempest V

Morrison Bowmore

Chivas Regal 25

Chivas Brothers

Clan Gold Blended 18 Year Old

Brilliant Star International

Dewar's 15 Year Old The Monarch

John Dewar & Sons

Dewar's 18 Year Old The Vintage

John Dewar & Sons

Dewar's Signature

John Dewar & Sons

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich 18 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich Age Of Discovery Madeira Cask

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich Cask Collection Reserve Cask

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich Distillery Edition

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich Malt Master

William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich Ultimate

William Grant & Sons

Glenmorangie Original

The Glenmorangie Co

Glenmorangie Tùsail

The Glenmorangie Co

Grangestone 21 Year Old

Quality Spirits International

Grant's 25 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Grant's Aged 18 Years

William Grant & Sons

Grant's Ale Cask Finish

William Grant & Sons

Grant's Voyager

William Grant & Sons

Haddington House

Quality Spirits International

Highland Black 8 Year Old

Aldi

John Walker & Sons King George V

Diageo

John Walker & Sons Odyssey

Diageo

Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection The Spice RoadDiageo Johnnie Walker Platinum Label

Diageo

Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Diageo

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength

Beam Suntory

Ledaig 18 Year Old

Distell

McKendrick's

Quality Spirits International

Monarch Of The Glen Aged 12 Years

Quality Spirits International

Mortlach 25 Year Old

Diageo

Mortlach Rare Old

Diageo

Old Pulteney 17 Year Old

International Beverage

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Silver

Silver

Glengoyne Single Malt (BiC)

Marks & spencer

Abrachan Triple Wood Blended Malt

Lidl ireland

Grand Macnish Black Edition (BiC)

Macduff international

Abrachan Triple Wood Blended Malt

Lidl uk

Sainsburys Single Highland Malt (BiC)

Whyte & Mackay

Ancnoc 18 Year Old

international Beverage

30 Year Old Whyte & Mackay Blended

Whyte & Mackay

Ardbeg 10 Year Old

the glenmorangie Co

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

the glenmorangie Co

Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured

Chivas Brothers

Ardbeg Kildalton

the glenmorangie Co

Aberlour 18 Year Old

Chivas Brothers

Ardbeg Perpetuum

the glenmorangie Co

Aberlour A'bunadh

Chivas Brothers

Ardbeg Uigeadail

the glenmorangie Co

Ardmore Tradition

Morrison Bowmore

Ardmore Triple Wood

Morrison Bowmore

Auchentoshan 12 Year Old

Morrison Bowmore

Auchentoshan Heartwood

Morrison Bowmore

Aultmore 12 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

Aultmore 25 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

Baird's Blended

Quality spirits international

Balblair 1990

international Beverage

Balblair 1999

international Beverage

Ballantine's 12

Chivas Brothers

Ballantine's 21

Chivas Brothers

Ballantine's Finest

Chivas Brothers

Ballantine's Limited

Chivas Brothers

Banoch Brae

Quality spirits international

Benromach 10 Year Old

gordon & Macphail

Black & White Blended

Diageo

Bowmore 12 Year Old

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore Black Rock

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore Devil's Casks II

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore Gold Reef

Morrison Bowmore

Bowmore Small Batch

Morrison Bowmore

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

Distell

Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old

Distell

Bunnahabhain Ceobanach

Distell

Bunnahabhain Eirigh Na Greine

Distell

Bunnahabhain Toiteach

Distell

CEO Scottish

Collie scottish & Ceo scottish

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

Diageo

Cardhu 12 Year Old

Diageo

Cardhu Amber Rock

Diageo

Catto's 25 Year Old

international Beverage

Catto's Deluxe 12 Year Old

international Beverage

Catto's Rare Old Scottish Blended

international Beverage

Chivas Regal 12

Chivas Brothers

Chivas Regal 18

Chivas Brothers

Chivas Regal Extra

Chivas Brothers

Clan Gold Finest Blended

Brilliant star international

Clan Macgregor

William grant & sons

Craigellachie 13 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

Craigellachie 17 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

Craigellachie 23 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

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International Spirits Challenge 14 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Silver

Silver

Cutty Sark 33 Year Old Art Deco Limited Edition

Edrington

Jura 16 Year Old Single Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Deanston 12 Year Old

Distell

Jura 30 Year Old Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Deanston 18 Year Old Bourbon Finish

Distell

Jura Prophecy

Whyte & Mackay

Dewar's 12 Year Old The Ancestor

John Dewar & Sons

Jura Superstition Single Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Dewar's White Label

John Dewar & Sons

Jura Tura Maras Single Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Fettercairn Fior Single Highland Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Kenmore Whisky

Marks & Spencer

Finest Reserve

Quality Spirits International

King Charles

Quality Spirits International

Glen Moray 10 Year Old Chardonnay Cask Matured Glen Moray Distillery

Kininvie 17 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glen Moray 12 Year Old

Glen Moray Distillery

Kininvie 23 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Glen Moray 16 Year Old

Glen Moray Distillery

Labels Classic Black

La Martiniquaise

Glen Moray Classic Port Cask Finish

Glen Moray Distillery

Laphroaig 10 Year Old

Beam Suntory

Glen Moray Elgin Classic

Glen Moray Distillery

Laphroaig An Cuan Mor

Beam Suntory

Glen Orchy 5 Year Blended Malt

Lidl Ireland

Laphroaig PX Cask

Beam Suntory

Glen Orchy 5 Year Blended Malt

Lidl UK

Laphroaig QA Cask

Beam Suntory

Glen Orrin Malt

Aldi

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Beam Suntory

Glendower Blended Malt

Edward Snell & Company

Laphroaig Select

Beam Suntory

Glenfarclas 2003

Marks & Spencer

Laphroaig Triple Wood

Beam Suntory

Glenfiddich 25 Year Old Rare Oak

William Grant & Sons

Lauder's Blended

MacDuff International

Glenfiddich Age Of Discovery Bourbon Cask

William Grant & Sons

Ledaig 10 Year Old

Distell

Glenfiddich Age Of Discovery Red Wine Cask

William Grant & Sons

Ledaig 42 Year Old

Distell

Glenfiddich Cask Collection Select Cask

William Grant & Sons

Loch Gorm

Kilchoman Distillery

Glenfiddich Cask Collection Vintage Cask

William Grant & Sons

Machir Bay

Kilchoman Distillery

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Mackinlays Rare Old Highland Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Glenfiddich Rich Oak

William Grant & Sons

Master Of Malt 40 Year Old Speyside (3rd Edition) Master Of Malt

Glenfiddich The Original

William Grant & Sons

Monarch Of The Glen

Quality Spirits International

Glengoyne 25 Year Old Highland Single Malt

Ian Macleod Distillers

Monarch Of The Glen Aged 15 Years

Quality Spirits International

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Co

Morrisons Signature 5 Year Old Blended Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Glenmorangie 25 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Co

Mortlach 18 Year Old

Diageo

Glenmorangie Dornoch

The Glenmorangie Co

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old

International Beverage

Glenmorangie Duthac

The Glenmorangie Co

Old Pulteney 21 Year Old

International Beverage

Glenmorangie Nectar D'or

The Glenmorangie Co

Old Pulteney 35 Year Old

International Beverage

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

The Glenmorangie Co

Old Scotland

Quality Spirits International

Glenmorangie Signet

The Glenmorangie Co

Peat Chimney

Wemyss Vintage Malts

Glory Leading Blended

Glory Leading International

Queen Margot 5 Year Old Blended

Lidl UK

Golden Loch

Quality Spirits International

Queen Margot 5 Year Old

Lidl Ireland

Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 2001 Gordon & Macphail

Queen Margot 8 Year Old Blended

Lidl UK

Grangestone

Quality Spirits International

Rare Cask Reserves Ghosted Reserve 26 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Grangestone 18 Year Old

Quality Spirits International

Royal & Ancient

Cockburn & Campbell

Grangestone 30 Year Old

Quality Spirits International

Sainsbury’s Single Speyside Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Grangestone 25

Quality Spirits International

Scotch Rill

Quality Spirits International

Grant's Aged 8 Years

William Grant & Sons

Scotish Leader Supreme

Distell

Grant's Family Reserve

William Grant & Sons

Scottish Collie

Quality Spirits International

Grant's Select Reserve

William Grant & Sons

Scottish Leader

Distell

Grant's Sherry Cask Finish

William Grant & Sons

Scottish Leader 12 Year Old

Distell

Grant's Signature

William Grant & Sons

Scottish Leader Signature

Distell

Great King Street Glasgow Blend

Compass Box Whisky.

Speyburn 10 Year Old

International Beverage

Haig Club Single Grain

Diageo

Speyburn 25 Year Old

International Beverage

Hankey Bannister 12 Year Old

International Beverage

Speyburn Bradan Orach

International Beverage

Hankey Bannister 21 Year Old

International Beverage

Spice King

Wemyss Vintage Malts

Hankey Bannister Original

International Beverage

Spice Tree

Marks & Spencer

Hedonism

Compass Box Whisky.

Talisker Skye

Diageo

Highland Bird

Quality Spirits International

Talisker Storm

Diageo

Highland Reserve

Quality Spirits International

Tamdhu 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt

Ian Macleod Distillers

James King

Quality Spirits International

Tamdhu Batch Strength Speyside Single Malt

Ian Macleod Distillers

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Diageo

Tesco 12 Year Old Single Highland Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Diageo Johnnie Walker Explorers' Club Collection The Gold Route Diageo

Tesco 12 Year Old Single Speyside Malt

Whyte & Mackay

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Johnnie Walker Explorers' Club Collection The Royal Route Diageo

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

Diageo

The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Diageo

The Balvenie Forty

William Grant & Sons

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Silver

Silver

The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask 15 Year Old William grant & sons

The Girvan Patent Still No 4

William grant & sons

The Balvenie Thirty

William grant & sons

The Girvan Patent Still Proof Strength

William grant & sons

The Balvenie Traditional Oak 25 Year Old

William grant & sons

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old

Chivas Brothers

The Class

hite-Jinro

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old

Chivas Brothers

The Co-Operative 12 Year Old Single Malt

Whyte & Mackay

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve

Chivas Brothers

The Co-Operative Premium 5 Year Old Blended

Whyte & Mackay

The Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill

Chivas Brothers

The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Highland Malt

Whyte & Mackay

The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso

Chivas Brothers

The Dalmore King Alexander III Single Highland Malt Whyte & Mackay

The Lost Distilleries Blend - Batch 6

Maverick Drinks

The Girvan Patent Still 25 Year Old

William grant & sons

The Singleton Of Dufftown 12 Year Old Single Malt Diageo

The Girvan Patent Still 30 Year Old

William grant & sons

The Singleton Of Dufftown Sunray

Diageo

The Singleton Of Dufftown Tailfire

Diageo

The Singleton Of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Diageo The Singleton Of Glen Ord Signature

Diageo

Tobermory 10 Year Old

Distell

Tobermory 15 Year Old

Distell

Vat 69 Blended

Diageo

Waitrose Blended

Whyte & Mackay

White Horse

Diageo

William Lawson's 13 Year Old

John Dewar & sons

William Lawson's Finest Blended

John Dewar & sons

BroNZe

10-15 ISC Scotch.indd 27

40 Year Old Whyte & Mackay Blended

Whyte & Mackay

Ancnoc 22 Year Old

international Beverage

Ancnoc Cutter

international Beverage

Ardmore Legacy

Morrison Bowmore

Auchentoshan American Oak

Morrison Bowmore

Auchentoshan Springwood

Morrison Bowmore

Black Bottle

Distell

Blended Malt Number 2 – Batch 1

Maverick Drinks

Castle Rock

Quality spirits international

The Co-operative Finest Blended

Whyte & Mackay

Cutty Sark

edrington

Dancing Stag Ben Nevis 18 Year Old

Robert graham

Deanston Virgin Oak

Distell

Dewar's White Label Scatched

John Dewar & sons

Fettercairn 30 Year Old Single Highland Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve

Morrison Bowmore

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old

J&g grant

Glenfarclas 17 Year Old

J&g grant

Glengannon

Quality spirits international

Glengoyne 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt

ian Macleod Distillers

Highland Earl

aldi

Jura Nineteen Eighty Four Single Malt

Whyte & Mackay

Lochlan Blended

Whyte & Mackay

Master Of Malt 10 Year Old Blended

Master 0f Malt

Old Pulteney Navigator

international Beverage

Original Cask Strength

Kilchoman Distillery

Port Charlotte Islay Barley

Bruichladdich Distillery

Queen Margot 3 Year Blended

Lidl uK

Spey River

Quality spirits international

Speyside Single Malt 12 Year Old

Marks & spencer

Tesco Special Reserve Blended

Whyte & Mackay

The Charles House

Quality spirits international

The Dalmore 15 Year Old Single Highland Malt

Whyte & Mackay

The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive 2015

Whyte & Mackay

The Girvan Patent Still 28 Year Old

William grant & sons

The Singleton Of Dufftown 15 Year Old Single Malt

Diageo

The Singleton Of Glendullan 12 Year Old Single Malt

Diageo

Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet Aged 25 Years

angus Dundee Distillers

26/06/2015 12:58


International Spirits Challenge 16 I DRINKSINT.COM I AUGUST 2015 I SUPPLEMENT TO DRINKS INTERNATIONAL

World Whiskies TROPHY

Hibiki Japanese Blended Aged 21 Years

TROPHY

Nikka From The Barrel NIKKA WHISKY

SUNTORY SPIRITS

TROPHY

The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt Aged 12 Years

IRISH WHISKEY GOLD

Jameson 18 Year Old IRISH DISTILLERS (BIC)

TRIPLE EIGHT DISTILLERY (BIC)

IRISH WHISKEY GOLD

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy IRISH DISTILLERS (BIC)

IRISH WHISKEY GOLD

Midleton Very Rare IRISH DISTILLERS

IRISH WHISKEY GOLD

Powers

IRISH DISTILLERS

TASTING NOTE: Rich, full and mature with a hint of Spanish oak. Superb balance and a rich, long finish

TASTING NOTE: Oak, resin and winey notes on the nose. Smooth, creamy and mellow flavours. Good balance.

TASTING NOTE: Well balanced, mature aroma. Rich, complex flavour with a long, mature finish.

AMERICAN WHISKEY GOLD

AMERICAN WHISKEY GOLD

AMERICAN WHISKEY GOLD

IRISH WHISKEY GOLD

LIDL IRELAND (BIC)

EDWARD SNELL & COMPANY

BEAM SUNTORY

IRISH DISTILLERS

Western Gold Bourbon 6 Years

016-018 ISC World Whiskies.indd 16

Firstwatch Imported

Knob Creek Bourbon

Powers John’s Lane Release

26/06/2015 12:24


JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Taketsuru 21 Years Old NIKKA WHISKY

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

The Hakushu Single Malt 25 Years Old SUNTORY SPIRITS

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Nikka Coffey Grain NIKKA WHISKY (BIC)

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Fuji Gotemba Single Grain 25 Years Small Batch

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Nikka Coffey Malt NIKKA WHISKY

KIRIN BREWERY COMPANY

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Nikka Tsuru 17 Years Old NIKKA WHISKY (BIC)

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Hibiki Japanese Blended Aged 12 Years

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

The Yamazaki Single Malt Mizunara 2014 SUNTORY SPIRITS

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

WORLD WHISKIES GOLD

NIKKA WHISKY

KAVALAN DISTILLERY (BIC)

Nikka Pure Malt Red

Kavalan Single Malt

SUNTORY SPIRITS

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Taketsuru 25 Years Old NIKKA WHISKY (BIC)

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Kirin FujisanrokuTarujyuku 50%

JAPANESE WHISKY GOLD

Super Nikka NIKKA WHISKY

WORLD WHISKIES GOLD

Kavalan Podium Single Malt KAVALAN DISTILLERY

KIRIN BREWERY COMPANY

016-018 ISC World Whiskies.indd 17

26/06/2015 12:24


International Spirits Challenge 18 I DRINKSINT.COM I AUGUST 2015 I SUPPLEMENT TO DRINKS INTERNATIONAL

WORLD WHISKIES GOLD

Kavalan Solist ExBourbon Single Cask Strength KAVALAN DISTILLERY

WORLD WHISKIES GOLD

King Car Conductor Single Malt KAVALAN DISTILLERY

IRISH WHISKEY BRONZE Bushmills

JB y Compania

Redbreast Mano A Lámh

Irish Distillers

Tyrconnell

Beam Suntory

JAPANESE WHISKY SILVER The Yamazaki Single Malt Limited Edition 2014 Suntory Spirits (BIC)

WORLD WHISKIES GOLD

Millstone 100 Rye ZUIDAM DISTILLERS

WORLD WHISKIES GOLD

Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish DISTELL

AMERICAN WHISKEY SILVER

Hibiki Blended Aged 17 Years

Suntory Spirits

Hibiki Blended Japanese Harmony

Suntory Spirits

Hibiki Blended Mellow Harmony

Suntory Spirits

Nikka Blended

Nikka Whisky

Nikka Pure Malt Black

Nikka Whisky

Suntory Single Grain Chita Distillery

Suntory Spirits

Taketsuru Pure Malt

Nikka Whisky

Taketsuru Pure Malt 17 Years Old

Nikka Whisky

The Hakushu Single Malt 12 Years Old

Suntory Spirits

The Hakushu Single Malt 18 Years Old

Suntory Spirits

The Hakushu Single Malt Distillers Reserve

Suntory Spirits

The Hakushu Single Malt Sherry Cask 2014

Suntory Spirits

The Nikka 12 Years Old

Nikka Whisky

The Yamazaki Single Malt 12 Years Old

Suntory Spirits

Clarke's Kentucky Bourbon

Aldi

The Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Years Old

Suntory Spirits

Gibson's Finest 18 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

The Yamazaki Single Malt Distillers Reserve

Suntory Spirits

Hogs 3

Quality Spirits International

The Yamazaki Single Malt Heavily Peated 2013 Suntory Spirits

Hudson Baby Bourbon

William Grant & Sons

Hudson Manhattan Rye

William Grant & Sons

Knob Creek Rye

Beam Suntory

AMERICAN WHISKEY BRONZE Gibson's Finest 12 Year Old

William Grant & Sons

Gibson’s Finest Sterling

William Grant & Sons

Rogue Dead Guy

Rogue Spirits

Rogue Rye

Rogue Spirits

Silverhorn

Booker

IRISH WHISKEY SILVER

WORLD WHISKIES SILVER Alberta Rye Dark Batch

Alberta Rye

Bagpiper Deluxe

United Spirits

Bain's Cape Mountain

Distell

Glenroger's Blended Malt 8 Year Old

Marie Brizard et Roger International

Iskristall

Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

Kavalan Concertmaster Single Malt

Kavalan Distillery

Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Kavalan Distillery Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask StrengthKavalan Distillery Mackmyra Reserve

Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

Jameson (BIC)

Irish Distillers

McDowell's No.1 Reserve

Diageo/United Spirits

Teeling 21 Year Old Single Malt (BIC)

Teeling Whiskey Co

Millstone 12 Year Old Sherry Cask

Zuidam Distillers

Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt

JB y Compania

Moment Vintage 2004

Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt

JB y Compania

Old Tavern

Diageo/United Spirits

Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt

JB y Compania

Seven Stars No.3 Phecda Single Malt

Spirit Of Hven

Bushmills Black Bush

JB y Compania

Sommartid Vintage 2008

Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

Callaghar's

Quality Spirits International

Stokerij Sculte Twentse

Stokerij Sculte Twentse Whisky

Connemara

Beam Suntory

Svensk Ek

Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

Dundalgan 10 Year Old Single Malt

Lidl Ireland

The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve

Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits

Dundalgan

Lidl Ireland

The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt 10 Years Triple Eight Distillery

Green Spot

Irish Distillers

The One

The Lakes Distillery

Kilbeggan

Beam Suntory

Three Ships Premium Select

Distell

Powers Gold Label

Irish Distillers

Three Ships Single Malt

Distell

Redbreast 12 Year Old

Irish Distillers

William Peel Blended

Marie Brizard et Roger International

Redbreast 15 Year Old

Irish Distillers

Teeling Single Grain

Teeling Whiskey Co

WORLD WHISKIES BRONZE

Teeling Single Malt

Teeling Whiskey Co

Director's Special

Diageo/United Spirits

Teeling Small Batch

Teeling Whiskey Co

Fine Single Malt English

Marks & Spencer

The Irishman 12 Year Old Single Malt

Walsh Whiskey Distillery

Grand Royal Smooth

International Beverages Trading Co

Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Special Reserve

William Grant & Sons

Grand Royal Special Reserve

International Beverages Trading Co

Tullamore Dew

William Grant & Sons

Imperial Premium Rare Aged

Golden Spirit Co

Tullamore Dew Phoenix

William Grant & Sons

Imperial Specially Crafted Smooth

Golden Spirit Co

Writer’s Tears

Walsh Whiskey Distillery

Millstone

Zuidam Distillers

Writer’s Tears Pot Still

Marks & Spencer

Nomad Outland

Gonzalez Byass

Yellow Spot

Irish Distillers

Svensk Rök

Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

016-018 ISC World Whiskies.indd 18

26/06/2015 12:24


International Spirits Challenge 20 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Vodka TROPHY

Belvedere Unfiltered

GOLD

AO

Suntory Spirits

TROPHY

TROPHY

Calibre Brands

Arcus

Snow Queen

Vikingfjord

LVMH

GOLD

Belvedere Pink Grapefruit LVMH

GOLD

Khortytsa Platinum Global Spirits

GOLD

Sin Brida

Ashford Handels

GOLD

Tovaritch! Tovaritch Spirits International

TASTING NOTE: Nice, grassy aroma. Holds spice well. Very good structure and balance.

020-22 ISC Vodka.indd 22

TASTING NOTE: Sweet nose, really soft and clean, good balance and aroma.

TASTING NOTE: Great example of a potato vodka – creamy and spicy with a soft aroma. Clear citrus, good structure.

26/06/2015 11:48


GOLD

Belvedere Intense LVMH

GOLD

Copper House Barley

GOLD

Belvedere Lemon Tea LVMH

GOLD

Kasatka

diaMond HoLding

adnaMs

GOLD

GOLD

neMiroff

pHiLLips distiLLing CoMpany

Nemiroff Delicat

Prairie Organic

SILVER Aylesbury Duck Baikal Ice Belvedere Belvedere Wild Berry Bols Bulbash Nano Cristalnaya Finlandia Blackcurrant Finlandia Friends Grey Cardinal Jelzin (Betterave) Keglevich Lubelska Trzy Zboza (Three Grains) Magic Crystal Mainstay Exotic Fusion Mainstay Island Fusion Nerpa New Amsterdam Orkisz Pea & Mint Pervak Wheat Poliakov Putinoff Premium Reyka Silver Snow Leopard Soviet Dream Tamova The Co-operative Imperial Tundra Untamed Irish Zoladkowa Czysta De Luxe Graf Yablonsky

the 86 Company Jupiter LVMH LVMH beam suntory bulbash Quintessential brands brown-forman brown-forman Khyarin nuur LLC - alko group grey Cardinal Les grands Chais de france stock spirits stock spirits Magic spirits distell distell Jupiter e&J gallo Winery stock spirits Marks & spencer global spirits La Martiniquaise Lidl uK William grant & sons stock spirits the edrington group ashford Handels aldi essential drinks Company JsC tatspirtprom avalon group stock spirits eastern european distribution

BRONZE GOLD

GOLD

JsC MinsK grape Wines faCtory

stoCK spirits

Statut

GOLD

GM Ultra Premium grap’sud

020-22 ISC Vodka.indd 23

Stock Prestige

GOLD

Wyborowa

tHe absoLut CoMpany

Asda Imperial Banff Ice Belrose Vodka de Raisins Belvedere Citrus Citrus Crystal Head Kozatska Rada Pepper Kozatska Rada Spesial Lex Mainstay 54 Mainstay Premium Mainstay Tropical Fusion Nemiroff Original Pur Rogue Oregon Single Malt Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Maple Bacon Signature Spar Imperial Stolichnaya Sever Special Soft Tamova Tesco The Lakes Toffee Triple Seven

essential drinks Company beam suntory Les grands Chais de france LVMH Marks & spencer globeďŹ ll bayadera group bayadera group nemiroff distell distell distell nemiroff pur vodka rogue spirits rogue spirits essential drinks Company essential drinks Company eastern european distribution essential drinks Company essential drinks Company the Lakes distillery Marks & spencer bulbash

26/06/2015 11:48


International Spirits Challenge 22 i DrInkSInt.Com i JuLy 2015 i Supplement to DrInkS InternatIonal

TROPHY

Aalborg Taffel Akvavit arCus

other white spirits GOLD

Aalborg Grill Akvavit arCus

GOLD

Lysholm Linie Aquavit arCus

TASTING NOTE: sweet, herbal, interesting. Cardamom and anis, with a spicy, sweet, good aftertaste.

SILVER

BRONZE

Aalborg Dild Akvavit

arcus

Aalborg Nordguld Akvavit

arcus

Aalborg Jubilæums Akvavit

arcus

Aka Kirishima

Kirishima shuzo

D Aurum Gilde Non Plus Ultra Aquavit

den ny spritfabrik arcus

Arawaza Sakurajima

Hombo shuzo

Koon

Hombo shuzo

D Argentum

den ny spritfabrik

Kuradashi Koon Decanter

Hombo shuzo

Den-En Gold

den–en shuzo

Løitens Sommer Aquavit

arcus

Gammel Opland

arcus

Pinnacle Peach

pinnacle Vodka

Iichiko Blu

sanwa shurui

Pinnacle Pineapple

pinnacle Vodka

Iichiko Frasco

sanwa shurui

Premium Jinro Otsu

Hite-Jinro

Løitens Linie Aquavit

arcus

Vikingfjord Apple & Rhubarb

arcus

Lysholm Linie Double Cask Aquavit

arcus

Vikingfjord Citrus

arcus

Mellowed Kozuru Excellence

Komasa Juozo

Yakushima Daishizenrin

Hombo shuzo

020-22 ISC Vodka.indd 24

26/06/2015 11:48


International Spirits Challenge 24 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Gin TROPHY

TROPHY

Chivas Brothers

Berry Bros & Rudd

Beefeater 24

No.3

GOLD

Asda London Dry Essential Drinks Company

TASTING NOTE: Complex and well balanced – a really good gin. On the nose it is intense and long and the flavour is good.

024-25 ISC Gin.indd 26

GOLD

Blackfriar’s London Dry Essential Drinks Company

TASTING NOTE: High alcohol, great balance and good strength, with juniper, spice and cardamom. A really nice structure and intense, fresh taste.

26/06/2015 11:51


GOLD

GOLD

elephant gin

Chivas Brothers

Elephant

Plymouth

GOLD

Plymouth Navy Strength

GOLD

Portland

essential drinks Company

Chivas Brothers

GOLD

Smeets Extra Bruggeman

GOLD

Stretton’s London Dry edWard snell & Company

GOLD

Tesco Finest Aromatic London Dry essential drinks Company

GOLD

Waitrose London Dry essential drinks Company

SILVER

SILVER Akori

destilerías Campeny

The Exiles Irish

avalon group

Aldi Oliver Cromwell

essential drinks Company

The Co-operative London Dry

essential drinks Company

Bathtub Cask-Aged Navy Strength

maverick drinks

The Lakes

the lakes distillery

Beefeater London Dry 47%

Chivas Brothers

Waitrose Premium London Dry

Waitrose

Berkeley Square

Quintessential Brands

Bloom London Dry

Quintessential Brands

BRONZE

Castelgy London Dry

lidl uk

Aldi Old Hopking

essential drinks Company

Cremorne 1859 Colonel Fox’s London Dry

Cask liquid marketing

Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve

Chivas Brothers

East London Liquor Co Premium Batch No.2

east london liquor Company

Botanic Ultra Premium

Bodegas Williams & humbert

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Classic 46%

Filliers graanstokerij

Caorunn

international Beverage

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Pine Blossom 42.6%

Filliers graanstokerij

Chilgrove Dry

the Chilgrove gin Company

Fords

the 86 Company

De Borgen Dutch Cornwyn Cask Finished

hooghoudt distillers Bv

Grosvenor

Booker

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Barrel Aged 43.8%

Filliers graanstokerij

Hernö Old Tom

herno Brenneri

Gordon Castle Distilled

gordon Castle scotland

KWV

kWv

Hendrick’s

William grant & sons

Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength

the reformed spirits Company

Martin Miller’s

the reformed spirits Company

Only

destilerías Campeny

Prairie Organic

phillips distilling Company

Rogue Society Navy Strength

the gin Company

Sainsbury’s London Dry

essential drinks Company

Saffron

emporia Brands

Sibling Distillery

sibling distillery

Signature

essential drinks Company

Tann’s

destilerías Campeny

Tanqueray Old Tom

diageo

Tanqueray No.Ten

diageo

Tesco Finest London Dry

essential drinks Company

Wenneker Elderflower Dry

Wenneker distilleries

024-25 ISC Gin.indd 27

26/06/2015 11:51


International Spirits Challenge 26 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Tequila TROPHY

TROPHY

beam suntory

beam suntory

El Tesoro Platinum

El Tesoro Reposado

Gold

El Tesoro Añejo beam suntory

Silver Tequila Cabeza

The 86 Company

Tequila Don Julio 1942

Diageo

Tequila Don Julio Añejo

Diageo

Tequila Don Julio Blanco

Diageo

Tequila Don Julio Real

Diageo

Tequila Don Julio Reposado

Diageo

Bronze

TASTING NOTES: Complex, balanced and well integrated. Outstanding tequila. A hint of smoke on the palate and a green grass note. Good agave presence with a touch of citrus leading to a mellow spicy finish. Earthy, green, good texture and easy to drink.

026-27 Tequila/brandy.indd 26

TASTING NOTES: Very complex, well balanced and integrated tequila. Spearmint and eucalyptus provide herbaceous freshness. The agave notes shine through and the acidity balances out agave sweetness. This tequila is sophisticated and smooth but with lots of character.

Don Angel Blanco

Booker

Don Angel Reposdao

Booker

El Jimador Añejo

Brown-Forman

El Recuerdo de Oaxaca Blanco

Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto

Herradura Añejo

Brown-Forman

Herradura Reposado

Brown-Forman

Herradura Seleccion Suprema Extra Añejo

Brown-Forman

Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia

Jose Cuervo International

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver

Jose Cuervo International

Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Reserve Silver

William Grant & Sons

Milagro Tequila Silver

William Grant & Sons

Sierra Tequila Milenario Reposado

The Drinks Company

Tequila Casco Viejo Blanco 100% Agave

Emporia Brands

Zignum Mezcal Reposado

Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto

26/06/2015 11:35


Brandy BrAndY TroPHY

KWV 20 KWV

BrAndY Silver Wellington VO (BIC)

Edward Snell & Company

Beehive Premium Reserve VSOP

Bardinet

E&J

E&J Gallo Winery

Klipdrift Export

Distell

KWV 10

KWV

KWV 12

KWV

KWV 15

KWV

Laborie Alambic

KWV

LadiSmith Klein Karoo Pot Still

Edward Snell & Company

Oude Meester 12 Year Old Reserve

Distell

Richelieu 10 Year Old Vintage

Distell

Richelieu International

Distell

St-Rémy VSOP

St-rémy

Three Barrels VSOP

William Grant & Sons

Van Ryn's 10 Year Old Vintage

Distell

Van Ryn's 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve

Distell

Van Ryn's 20 Year Old Collector's Reserve

Distell

BrAndY Bronze

TASTING NOTES: Prune, chocolate, leather, citrus. Very intense on the nose, with nice dry fruit. Good balance, dry spirity finish. Smooth, complex and elegant.

BrAndY Gold

Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Distiller’s Reserve DISTELL (BIC)

BrAndY Gold

Oude Meester 18 Year Old Souverein DISTELL

3 Year Old

marks & Spencer

Bardinet Grand Cru Wine Cask Finish

Bardinet

Bardinet French VSOP

Bardinet

Bardinet French XO

Bardinet

Christian Dupre

Booker

Flight of the Fish Eagle

Distell

Imoya

KWV

Klipdrift Gold

Distell

Klipdrift Premium

Distell

Kozarski Biser

BmB Delta

Kozarski Biser, Sljivova Prepecenica

BmB Delta

Lustau Solera Reserva

Emilio Lustau

Metaxa Angels’ Treasure

The House of metaxa

Morrison XO

Bardinet

Napoleon

Aldi

Oude Meester Demant

Distell

Pure Black

Company Group Alita, AB

Raynal

Quality Spirits International

Raynal XO

Quality Spirits International

Sainsbury's French XO Aged 5 Years

Louis royer

Singani 63

Singani 63

Spar VSOP

Essential Drinks Company

St-Rémy Réserve Privée

St-rémy

St-Rémy XO

St-rémy

Sydney Back Special Release

Backsberg Estate Cellars

The Co-operative Napoleon

The Co-operative

SPAniSH BrAndY Silver SPAniSH BrAndY Gold

Gran Duque de Alba Oro

BoDEGAS WILLIAmS & HumBErT

SPAniSH BrAndY Gold

Lustau Solera Gran Reserva Finest Selection EmILIo LuSTAu

026-27 Tequila/brandy.indd 27

Gran Duque de Alba XO

Bodegas Williams & Humbert

Lepanto PX Solera Gran Reserva

Gonzalez Byass

Lustau Solera Gran Reserva

Emilio Lustau

SPAniSH BrAndY Bronze Carlos I

osborne

Carlos I Imperial

osborne

Gran Duque de Alba

Bodegas Williams & Humbert

Lepanto OV Solera Gran Reserva

Gonzalez Byass

Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva

Gonzalez Byass

Soberano 5

Gonzalez Byass

Soberano 12

Gonzalez Byass

26/06/2015 11:35


International Spirits Challenge 28 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Rum TROPHY

Admiral Rodney Emporia Brands

GOLD

1931 by St Lucia Distillers 3rd Edition Emporia Brands

GOLD

Ord River Overproof Hoochery Distillery

TASTING NOTE: Really lovely rum. Subtle notes, super nose, good balance. Good complexity and maturity with a good finish.

028-29 ISC Rum.indd 22

26/06/2015 15:16


SILVER Negrita Gold

Bardinet

Pink Pigeon

Berry Bros & rudd spirits

Plantation Original Dark

cognac Ferrand

Pusser’s 15 Year Old

cellar trends

Pusser’s 40%

cellar trends

Pusser’s 54.5%

cellar trends

Red Heart Original Caribbean

pernod ricard

Ron Cartavio Solera 12 Años

ron cartavio

Rum da Madeira

J Faria & Filhos

Sailors Matured XXX

golden spirit co

Santa Teresa Claro

mangrove global

The Co-operative Superior White

the co-operative

Yaguara

carmosina comercial

BRONZE Aguardente 970 Reserva

J Faria & Filhos

Angostura 1824

angostura

Angostura 7 Year Old

angostura

Angostura Reserva

angostura

Bacardi Carta Fuego

Bacardi global Brands

Bacardi Carta Negra

Bacardi global Brands

Bacardi Carta Oro

Bacardi global Brands

Bacardi Gran Reserva 8 Años

Bacardi global Brands

Bacardi Superior Heritage 44.5%

Bacardi global Brands

Blackwells Black Gold

mangrove global

Bundaberg Mutiny Spiced

diageo

Cane Trader Dark

Booker

Carta Blanca Superior White

glen turner company

Chairman's Reserve Spiced

Emporia Brands

Chairman's Reserve White

Emporia Brands

Elements 8 Criollo Cacao

mangrove global

Elements 8 Platinum

mangrove global

Elements 8 Spiced

mangrove global

Gingerbread Flavoured

marks & spencer

Havana Club 15

chivas Brothers

Havana Club 3

chivas Brothers

James Cook Dark

lidl uK

La Hechicera Fine Aged from Colombia

la Hechicera

Old Hopking White

aldi

Ord River Spike’s Reserve

Hoochery distillery

OVD

William grant & sons

Penny Blue Batch #3

Berry Bros & rudd spirits

Penny Blue XO #2

Berry Bros & rudd spirits

Penny Blue XO #4

Berry Bros & rudd spirits

Plantation XO 20th Anniversary

cognac Ferrand

Bundaberg Master Distillers Blenders Edition 2015 diageo

Red Heart Spiced

pernod ricard

Bundaberg Master Distillers Small Batch

diageo

Ron Cartavio Selecto 5 Años

ron cartavio

Cachaça Sebastiana Carvalho Single Barrel

alambique santa rufina

Ron Cartavio XO 18 Años

ron cartavio

Caña Brava

the 86 company

Sailor Jerry Spiced

William grant & sons

Cane Trader White

Booker

Saint James Premium Caribbean Heritage

la martiniquaise

Chairman’s Reserve Finest St Lucia

Emporia Brands

Chairman’s Reserve The Forgotten Casks

Saint James Premium Caribbean Reserve

la martiniquaise

Emporia Brands

Havana Club 7

Santa Teresa 1796

mangrove global

chivas Brothers

Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros

chivas Brothers

Santa Teresa Anejo Gran Reserva

mangrove global

M&S White

marks & spencer

Seamen Special

golden spirit co

Marauda Steel Pan

marauda rum

The Co-operative Navy

the co-operative

Morant Bay Signature Edition Spiced Red

morant Bay distillery co

Ti'arranges De Ced Mirabelle

sarl les rhums de ced

Wood’s 100 Old Navy

William grant & sons

SILVER Bacardi Carta Blanca

028-29 ISC Rum.indd 23

Bacardi global Brands

26/06/2015 15:16


International Spirits Challenge 30 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Liqueurs TROPHY

Bathtub Sloe Gin

Maverick Drinks

TROPHY

Lejay Noir de Bourgogne

TROPHY

Supercassis Vedrenne Pages Vedrenne

Lejay Lagoute

TASTING NOTE: Good juniper nose, more gin than sloe on the palate. Nice cloves/cinnamon and a touch of bitterness on finish.

030-31 ISC Liqueurs.indd 32

TASTING NOTE: Some green notes, lovely vibrant colour, rich flavour with good acidity. Very velvety, intense flavour.

TASTING NOTE: Blackcurrant and candy, creamy notes. Good colour. Very intense on the palate with lovely rich fruit.

26/06/2015 11:37


GOLD

Gabriel Boudier Crème de Cassis de Dijon

GOLD

Crème de Mure Sauvage

GOLD

GOLD

WiLLiaM grant & sons

WHyte & Mackay

Drambuie

Glayva

GOLD

Greenall’s Sloe Gin QuintessentiaL BranDs

DistiLLerie MerLet & FiLs

eMPoria BranDs

BRONZE

SILVER Antica Sambuca Classic

antiche Distillerie riunite

Choya Gold Edition

choya umeshu

Brandy & Orange

Marks & spencer

Crème de Cassis de Dijon

Marks & spencer

Choya Classic

choya umeshu

Crème de Cassis Joseph Cartron

joseph cartron

Choya Excellent

choya umeshu

Crème de Mure des Roncieres Joseph Cartron

joseph cartron

Choya Extra Years

choya umeshu

Drambuie 15 Year Old Speyside Whisky

William grant & sons

Crème de Framboise

Pages vedrenne

Dundalgan Irish Country Cream

Lidl uk

Fragolino

Distilleria galdino caselli

Elderflower Flavoured

Marks & spencer

Grapefruit

Pages vedrenne

Feeney's Irish Cream

Quintessential Brands

Italian Limoncello

aldi

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Sloe

Filliers graanstokerij

Lejay Cassis

Lejay Lagoute

Haint Absinthe

Dogwood Distilling

Lejay Framboise

Lejay Lagoute

Hirsch Rudel

Hirsch rudel

Lejay Litchi

Lejay Lagoute

Honeycombe Cream

Marks & spencer

Limoncello Rossi D’Asiago

antiche Distillerie riunite

Irish Cream

Marks & spencer

Marie Brizard Cassis

Marie Brizard

Lanique

Love Drinks

Merlet C2 Cognac & Café

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

Le Favori Triple Sec

Les grands chais de France

Merlet Crème de Cassis

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

Lejay Cranberry

Lejay Lagoute

Merlet Crème de Fraise des Bois

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

Lejay Pamplemousse Rose

Lejay Lagoute

Merlet Trois Citrus

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

Marie Brizard Apricot

Marie Brizard

Sloe Gin

Marks & spencer

Marie Brizard Cherry Brandy

Marie Brizard

Specially Selected Crème de Cassis

aldi

Marie Brizard Framboise

Marie Brizard

Specially Selected Irish Cream

aldi

Merlet C2 Cognac & Citron

Distillerie Merlet & Fils

Sureau Joseph Cartron

joseph cartron

Mozart Chocolate Cream

Beam austria

Terrània Ratafia

epica Mediterrania

Mozart Dark Chocolate

Beam austria

Tesco Finest Crème de Cassis

emporia Brands

Nocino

Distilleria galdino caselli

Tesco Finest Sloe Gin

emporia Brands

O'Mara Irish Country Cream

Quintessential Brands

Tesco Finest Triple Sec

emporia Brands

Pink Grapefruit

Marks & spencer

Vermouth

Marks & spencer

Pomegranate

Marks & spencer

Ratafia Dels Raiers Reserva 2013

Distribucions Portet

Revel Stoke Honey Whisky

Phillips Distilling company

BRONZE Abricot Brandy Joseph Cartron

joseph cartron

Revel Stoke Roasted Pecan Whisky

Phillips Distilling company

Adnams Limoncello

adnams

Revel Stoke Spiced Whisky

Phillips Distilling company

Adnams Sloe Gin

adnams

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Irish Cream

niche Drinks co

Aloe

Pages vedrenne

Solerno

William grant & sons

Amaretto Bellucci

aldi

Specially Selected Crème de Peche

aldi

Amarula Gold

Distell

Tesco Finest Cherry Brandy

emporia Brands

Antica Sambuca with Liquorice Flavour

antiche Distillerie riunite

The King's Ginger

Berry Bros & rudd spirits

Artemisia St Roch

st roch

The Wild Geese Irish Honey

avalon group

Ballantine's Brasil

chivas Brothers

Tofka

Babco uk

Blackberry

Pages vedrenne

Volare Triple Sec

antiche Distillerie riunite

Cherry Brandy 2014

Maverick Drinks

Wild Africa Cream

kWv

030-31 ISC Liqueurs.indd 33

26/06/2015 11:37


International Spirits Challenge 32 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Armagnac, Calvados, Grappa & Pisco Armagnac TROPHY

Château de Pellehaut Tenareze 20 Year Old Marks & Spencer

Armagnac Silver Château du Tariquet Folle Blanche 8 years

Château du Tariquet

Château du Tariquet Légendaire

Château du Tariquet

Château du Tariquet XO

Château du Tariquet

Dartigalongue 1989

Bas Armagnac Dartigalongue

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 12 Year Old

Emporia Brands

Tesco VSOP

Emporia Brands

XO Premium

Armagnac Delord

Armagnac Bronze Château du Tariquet Folle Blanche 12 Years

SCV Château du Tariquet

Château du Tariquet Folle Blanche 15 Years

SCV Château du Tariquet

Château du Tariquet VSOP

SCV Château du Tariquet

Dartigalongue 1992

Bas Armagnac Dartigalongue

Dartigalongue Extra (30 ans)

Bas Armagnac Dartigalongue

De Montal Bas VSOP

Compagnie des Produits de Gascogne

Waitrose VSOP

Waitrose

Calvados Silver Busnel Calvados Pays d’Auge Fine

La Martiniquaise

Busnel Calvados Pays d'Auge VSOP

La Martiniquaise

Calvados Bronze Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Pay's d’Auge

Emporia Brands

Tesco Pays d’Auge VSOP

Emporia Brands

Grappa Silver Botti Da Porto Reserve Port Wood Finish

Distilleria Sibona

Grappa XO

Distilleria Sibona

Prime Uve

Distilleria Bonaventura Maschio

Prime Uve Nere

Distilleria Bonaventura Maschio

Prime Uve Oro

Distilleria Bonaventura Maschio

Grappa Bronze Botti Da Porto Reserve Madeira Wood Finish

Distilleria Sibona

Di Barolo

Distilleria Sibona

Levi De Blanc De Morgex

St Roch

Pisco Silver Pisco El Gobernador TASTING NOTE: Mellow, old wood, chocolate, cigar box. Some hints of rancio, orange blossom, spices and honey. Good complexity and smoothness on the palate. Elegant, mature and silky.

032-033 Armagnac/Cognac.indd 32

Miguel Torres Chile

Pisco Bronze Pisco Bauza Aniversazio 40

Agroproductos Bauza SA

Pisco Bauza Reservado Crystal

Agroproductos Bauza SA

Tacama Demonio de los Andes Acholado

Viña Tacama SA

Tacama Gran Demonio Mosto Verde Quebranta Viña Tacama SA

26/06/2015 11:11


Cognac gold

gold

gold

BaCHE-gaBRIELsEn

snC MaInE DRILHOn

snC PIERRE FRaPIn

BacheGabrielsen VSOP

Leyrat XO Vieille Reserve

Millesime 1988 25 Ans d’Age

Silver

Bronze

ABK6 Vintage 1985

snC Maine Drilhon

Bisquit VS

Distell

Baron Otard VSOP

Chateau De Cognac

Bisquit VSOP

Distell

Bisquit Prestige

Distell

Bisquit XO

Distell

Bisquit XO Rose Gold

Distell

Braastad VS

arcus as

Claude Thorin

Claude thorin

Braastad XO Superior

arcus as

Frapin VSOP

snC Pierre Frapin

Chevalier

aldi

Gautier Extra 1755

gautier Cognac

Claude Thorin VSOP

Claude thorin

Gautier XO Gold & Blue

gautier Cognac

Comte Joseph VSOP

Les grands Chais De France

Hardy Noce de Diamant

Hardy Cognacs

Domaine Château Fontpinot XO

snC Pierre Frapin

Hardy Noce D'Or

Hardy Cognacs

KWV XO Heritage

kWV

Hardy VSOP

Hardy Cognacs

Louis Royer Extra Grande Champagne

Louis Royer

Hardy XO Rare

Hardy Cognacs

Louis Royer Force 53 VSOP Fine Champagne

Louis Royer

Louis Royer XO

Louis Royer

Louis Royer VS

Louis Royer

Maxime Trijol Grande Champagne Ancestral

Cognac Maxime trijol

Louis Royer VSOP

Louis Royer

Monnet

Marks & spencer

Multimillésime 1986-1988-1991

snC Pierre Frapin

Pierre Ferrand Sélection des Anges

Cognac Ferrand

Prince Hubert de Polignac

H Mounier

Prince Charmac XO

Marks & spencer

Prince Hubert de Polignac VSOP Reserve

H Mounier

Prince Hubert de Polignac XO Royal

H Mounier

Reviseur Extra Old XO

snC Maine Drilhon

Reviseur VSOP

snC Maine Drilhon

Sainsbury’s VS

Louis Royer

Sainsbury’s XO

Louis Royer

Sainsbury’s VSOP

Louis Royer

XO Gold Francois Voyer

Cognac Francois Voyer

Tesco VS

Emporia Brands

Tesco VSOP

Emporia Brands

Bronze

Vieux Garçon VS

Lidl uk

Bache-Gabrielsen Cognac XO Fine Champagne Bache-gabrielsen

Waitrose VSOP

Waitrose

Baron Otard XO

XO, Grande Champagne

1719

032-033 Armagnac/Cognac.indd 33

Château De Cognac

26/06/2015 11:11


International Spirits Challenge 34 i DrinksInt.com i august 2015 i Supplement to Drinks International

Design & Packaging Trophy

Trophy

TANG bacardi

Tanqueray No.Ten Joint Supreme Champion

Best Design & Packaging for Travel Retail

034-35 ISC D&P.indd 34

Diageo

Joint Supreme Champion

Repackaged Individual Product

26/06/2015 11:50


Trophy

Trophy

The Balvenie Tun 1509 WiLLiaM graNt & soNs Here DesigN

GoLD

Aberfeldy 12 Year old JoHN DeWar & soNs straNger & straNger

Aultmore 12 Year old moST iNNovATive GrAphiC DeSiGN

JoHN DeWar & soNs straNger & straNger

eSTABliSheD iNDiviDuAl proDuCT

SILVEr Aberfeldy 21 Year old

John Dewar & sons

established individual Product

Grant’s 25 Year old

Webb deVlam

repackaged individual Product

havana Club unión

Nude brand consulting best Design for travel retail

iichiko Special

sanwa shurui co

best Design for travel retail

lanique

Love Drinks

repackaged individual Product

The lost Blend

stranger & stranger

New individual Product

BroNZE Aultmore 25 Year old

John Dewar & sons

established individual Product

Craigellachie 13 Year old

John Dewar & sons

established individual Product

Craigellachie 17 Year old

John Dewar & sons

established individual Product

Dewar’s 18 Year old The vintage

John Dewar & sons

established individual Product

Dewar’s White label

John Dewar & sons

established individual Product

Don papa rum Aged 10 Years

stranger & stranger

New individual Product

east london liquor Company

stranger & stranger

New individual Product

haig Club Single Grain Scotch Whisky Diageo eSTABliSheD iNDiviDuAl proDuCT

034-35 ISC D&P.indd 35

New individual Product

havana Club unión

Nude brand consulting New individual Product

John Walker & Sons king George v

Lewis Moberly

repackaged individual Product

mortlach range

Diageo

New Product range

Silent pool Gin

silent Pool Distillers

New individual Product

Silent pool Gin

silent Pool Distillers

best Design & Packaging/on-trade

The Glenlivet Winchester Collection

chivas brothers

New individual Product

26/06/2015 11:50


International Spirits Challenge 37 I DRINKSINT.COM I AUGUST 2015 I SUPPLEMENT TO DRINKS INTERNATIONAL

Marketing BEST DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

BEST PR CAMPAIGN

#Whisky Santa

Aperol Spritz

A fully integrated Christmas campaign spanning the website, Twitter, Facebook and blog. The core concept was that consumers could ask ‘whisky Santa’ for any product listed on Master of Malt and one wish would be fulfilled every day.

A vertical sales and marketing strategy, which, alongside PR and events work, included launching UK social media for the brand, creating information packs, developing internal communications protocols and pitches for regional sales teams.

BEST LAUNCH CAMPAIGN

BEST INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN

MASTER OF MALT

GENUINE PR

Bombay Sapphire Distillery

Bowmore Single Malt

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY

LDR CREATIVE

Following several years of renovation, Laverstoke Mill was transformed into a state of the art, sustainable Bombay Sapphire Distillery and visitor centre. The distillery welcomed more than 250 members of the media to the official opening.

LDR’s travel retail-focused interactive experience highlighted key elements of Black Rock and Gold Reef to help consumers decide which they would buy. It was supported by advertorials in key inflight publications.

BEST EXPERIENTIAL CAMPAIGN

SPIRITS PR COMPANY OF THE YEAR

FOCUS PR

LDR CREATIVE

Jim Beam Crafthouse

LDR Creative

LDR Creative grew its roster of spirit brands by 117% through its range of 5 core services, including strategy, publicity, experiential, digital and content. LDR’s client roster ranges from global spirits brands, such Grey Goose, to domestic entrepreneurial businesses, including East London Liquor Company.

The Jim Beam Crafthouse was an experiential event focusing on the craftsmanship of Kentucky straight bourbon. Working with artisan partners, it explored the premium range of bourbons in the Beam Suntory portfolio to demonstrate authentic individualism and craft.

BEST EXPERIENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Diageo Reserve

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL SYMPHONY IN BLUE A multi-sensory event designed to challenge guests’ imagination and perception through a series of different experiences, culminating in a light and sound spectacular to showcase the brand.

037 ISC Marketing.indd 37

SHORTLIST – HIGHLY COMMENDED

SPIRITS PR COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Genuine

SHORTLIST – COMMENDED

Best known for work with Aperol Spritz and Kopparberg, the team implements creative strategies and has years of shared and varied experiences across bar, brand and agency that allows it to be immersive in its approach to campaign building.

26/06/2015 12:28


International Spirits Challenge 38 I DRINKSINT.COM I AUGUST 2015 I SUPPLEMENT TO DRINKS INTERNATIONAL

Judges Introducing the experts who tasted their way through all the entries

WHISKY JUDGES

Shinji Fukuyo, Suntory; David Stewart, William Grant & Sons; Billy Leighton, Irish Distillers; Caroline Martin, Diageo; Tadashi Sakuma, Nikka; Angela d’Orazio, Macmyra Svensk; John Ramsay, whisky consultant (chairman); Gordon Motion, Edrington; Richard Paterson, Whyte & Mackay

VODKA & OTHER WHITE SPIRITS JUDGES

GIN JUDGES

Ian Wisniewski, Drinks Writer (chairman); Alexey Zaitsev & Alexander Zaitsev, Russian Alcohol Association; Claire Smith-Warner, LVMH; France Despert, Cargill; Matthew Dakers, Stoli Group; Johan Svensson, Drinksfusion

Will Lowe, Cambridge Distillery; Joanne Moore, Quintessential Brands; Anne Jones, Waitrose; Lesley Gracie, William Grant & Sons; Desmond Payne, Chivas Brothers (chairman); Charles Maxwell, Thames Distillers

LIQUERS JUDGES

BRANDY JUDGES

Peter Hallgarten, spirits consultant; Patrick Zuidam, Zuidam Distillers (chairman); Isabel Graham-Yooll, Bordeaux Index; Dawn Davies, Selfridges; John McCarthy, Adnams; Elie-Arnaud Denoix, Vedrenne Pages

Pieter De Bod, KWV; Rocio Osborne, Osborne; Neil Mathieson, Marussia Beverages UK (chairman); Dr Caroline Snyman, Distell Group

TEQUILA JUDGES

RUM JUDGES

Jesse Estes, Tequila Ocho (chairman); Davide Segat, London Edition; Matthias Lataille, Pernod Ricard; Carlos Londorno, Café Pacifico; Jon Anders Fjeldsrud, Amathus Drinks; Rodrigo Alvarez

Carsten E. Vlierboom, E&A Scheer (chairman); Peter Martin, Brokers Gin; Roger Barnes, Spirits Elite; Patrick Zuidam, Zuidam Distillers; Peter Holland, The Floating Rum Shack

DESIGN & PACKAGING JUDGES

MARKETING JUDGES

Tim Croxson, Croxsons; Chris Dumont, Seed Consultancy; Chris Forecast, Path Designs; Paul Foulkes-Arellano, Seymour Powell (chairman); Daniela Nunzi, Studio Minerva; Stephen Sykes, Cartils

Nick Marshall, Made Thought; Ged Feltham, Leelex; Nicky Forrest, Phipps PR (chairman); Jeremy Rockett, Marblehead; Mike Miller, Catalyst Brands

038 ISC Judges.indd 38

26/06/2015 12:26


FINALWORD

Pure Gould Drinks International, Longley House, International Drive, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 6AQ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1293 590040

Editor Christian Davis +44 (0)1293 590047 christian.davis@drinksint.com Deputy Editor Hamish Smith +44 (0)1293 590045 hamish.smith@drinksint.com Production Editor

Patience Gould assesses the history of one of Diageo’s top-sellers – and how the power of advertising continues to drive the brand

A

s Pimm’s is synonymous with summer – particularly

and the ongoing Pimm’s Party.

in the UK, where it is the drink to drink at must-be-

I have to comment that you’d

seen-at events such as Wimbledon – I thought it was time

have to drink a serious quantity of Pimm’s before getting

I gave it a whirl. Depending on your viewpoint, Diageo

into the party spirit as the serving suggestion is one part

has either done a marvellous marketing job with Pimm’s

Pimm’s to three parts lemonade or ginger beer, so the

or you feel the brand’s core values and the drink itself

reality is that Pimm’s O’clock could be any time of day or

have been decimated over the years.

night.

In days of yore Pimm’s was a range of six Cups, with

Along the way the range has been extended again

Jaq Bayles +44 (0)1293 590048 jaq.bayles@drinksint.com

the Original No.1 gin-based leading the way, followed

but the emphasis is on fruit rather than spirit, like the

by No.2 scotch whisky, No.3 brandy, No.4 rum, No.5 rye

recently launched Pimm’s Blackberry & Elderflower, and

whisky and No.6 vodka. It was first developed by one Mr

Strawberry with its ‘hint of mint’. Oh and I nearly forgot

Reporter/Editorial

Pimm, a farmer’s son from Kent who became the owner

the Pimm’s Winter brew, which apparently is a reworking

Researcher

of an oyster bar in the City of London, near the Bank of

of the brandy cup with added orange zest along with

Holly Motion +44 (0)1293 590046 holly.motion@drinksint.com

England. He originally served the then gin-based tonic

spices. There is no mention of what spirit is involved

with its special mixture of herbs in a ‘cup’ as an aid to

other than the words Pimm’s: “Made from a closely

digestion – which doesn’t say much for his oysters – but

guarded secret recipe.” I bet it is. And very useful that

Commercial Director

that’s definitely another story.

is too.

Roger Betriu +44 (0)1293 590043 roger.betriu@drinksint.com Senior Account Manager Carmen Poel Francesch +44 (0)1293 590042 carmen.poel@drinksint.com

Large-scale production of Pimm’s started in 1851 but it

The most recent addition is the Pimm’s Cider Cup,

was when Mr Pimm sold the business on, together with the

which is described as: “British cider ‘infused’ with Pimm’s

right to use his name, to Frederick Sawyer, who then sold

and flavoured with strawberry and cucumber.” The drinks

it on to the future Lord Mayor of London, Horatio Davies,

giant goes on to advise that it is best drunk from a pint

that a chain of Pimm’s Oyster Houses was franchised in

glass over ice.

1887 and that the Pimm’s range was increased. However the brand hit the wall in the 70s and 80s and,

And if you fancy a 4% shot of Pimm’s you can buy the strawberry and cucumber version, that is the Summer

Publisher

following the Distillers Company’s (DCL) acquisition, the

Crush, in a frozen pouch. Apparently these innovations

Justin Smith +44 (0)1293 590041 justin.smith@drinksint.com

Oyster House chain was sold, and Pimm’s Cups products

are all geared to get folk “drinking better not more” – go

Nos.2 – 5 were phased out. Boo hoo. DCL itself was then

on, pull the other one.

Events Manager Sarah Stevens +44 (0)1293 590049 sarah.stevens@drinksint.com

when Guinness and Grand Metropolitan merged in 1997.

Events

discovered that on a case-by-case basis Pimm’s was

Nikayla Langley/Helen Fallowell +44 (0)1293 558131/590050 firstname.surname@drinksint.com

one of the most profitable of its brands, if not the most

events such as Wimbledon the trade can charge a

profitable. Whooping with delight the accountants

whopping £8 a throw. In short, the profit margins for all

probably advised: “Easy-peasy lemon squeezy let’s sell

must be huge.

Events Account Managers

more of it.”

Rick Beaumont/Jo Morley +44 (0)1293 558130/590044 firstname.surname@drinksint.com Accounts Annette O’Connell +44 (0)1293 590051 annette.oconnell@agilemedia.co.uk Managing Director Russell Dodd +44 (0)1293 590052 russell.dodd@drinksint.com

acquired by Guinness and Pimm’s became part of Diageo It’s possibly apocryphal, but nonetheless worth mentioning, that when Diageo was formed, it was

No doubt the dumbing down of Pimm’s will become the stuff of marketing legend, particularly when you consider that the mean price for a bottle is about £15-plus – which is about the price point it used to be at 40% abv. Clever that – and the fact that at these key summer

Oh, and according to research from Amobee Brand

As a result the Diageo marketing machine roared into

Intelligence, Pimm’s was the number one at this year’s

action and over the years its pursuit of giving the brand

premier tennis event. It was 2.5% ahead of IBM and other

mass market appeal has been nothing short of relentless.

official sponsors such as HSBC by as much as 80%.

To begin with the strength was drastically reduced from

Indeed the drink was so popular that Pimm’s was

40% abv to just 25% abv and the dedication to a spirit

the number one brand associated with this year’s

base has all but disappeared.

tournament across social media and other digital

A series of heavyweight advertising campaigns

channels. Furthermore Pimm’s, which was not even an

hastened the repositioning, with some rather hackneyed

official sponsor, garnered all this attention without ever

catch-lines such as: Anyone For Pimm’s?, Pimm’s O’clock

mentioning the word Wimbledon. Priceless!

Reader services/Subscriptions please contact: Drinks International, Subscriptions Department Tel: +44 (0)208 955 7061 E-mail: drinksinternational@alliance-media.co.uk

Subscription Rates UK Price 1 year £112.00 2 year £201.00 3 year £285.00 Europe Price 1 year €160.00 2 year €288.00 3 year €408.00 ROW Price 1 year $233.00 2 year $419.00 3 year $594.00 © Agile Media Ltd 2008 All rights reserved. Drinks International (ISSN 0012 – 625X) is published monthly by Agile Media Ltd and distributed in the USA by Mail Right International, 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Periodicals Postage Paid at New Brunswick, NJ. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Drinks International, 1637 Stelton Road, B-4, Piscataway NJ 08854. Published under licence from William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT 01293 613400

58 Drinks International

DI August 2015 p58 Pure Gould.indd 1

drinksint.com august 2015

23/07/2015 15:35


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