Contents Supplement Editor David Longfield +44 (0)1293 763157 david.longfield@drinksint.com
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ISC General Manager Mike Florence +44 (0)1293 613400 mike.florence@william-reed.co.uk
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Showcase for quality In the face of increasingly hostile global economic conditions, it seems consumers around the world are still up for a good drink. The premiumisation trend continues unabated in many markets and there’s a frenzy of attention around developing regions such as Brazil, India, Russia and China. Two senior International Spirits Challenge judges this year highlighted the growing international nature of the competition. Whisky category chairman John Ramsay said: “The international whiskies continue to improve year on year. Irish has always been excellent and the superb Japanese blends are now being joined by some very fine malts with innovative maturation. “The first Silver medal to go to an Indian whisky demonstrates the internationality of Whisky as a category,” he added.
Among the rums, category chairman Steve Hoyles was equally pleased. “It was good to see entries from a wide range of countries,” he commented. “I think this is good for the competition as a whole and emphasises the international aspect.” As for quality, well there’s no question. “Gold awards at just under 20% reflects the high quality of whiskies in the competition,” said Ramsay. Indeed, whisky continues to dominate the Challenge in terms of numbers, with Scotch and Whiskies of the World accounting for well over half of the medals and awards published in this supplement, with Brandy also very strong. The world of spirits is constantly on the move, and the ISC represents a snapshot of the best there is. David Longfield, supplement editor
Features 5 The judges 7 Special awards 8 The Trophy winners 10 Scotch whisky 18 Whiskies of the world 20 Cognac, Armagnac & brandy 22 Vodka 25 Gin 26 Other white spirits 28 Liqueurs & specialities 30 Rum
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 3
ISC Judges 2008
Whiskies
Brandy
White spirits
Rum
Liqueurs & specialities
Chairman John Ramsay – master blender, The Edrington Group
Chairman Neil Mathieson – buyer, blender, managing director, Eaux de Vie
Chairman Ian Wisniewski – freelance drinks writer and broadcaster, specialising in spirits (top right)
Chairman Steve Hoyles – technical laboratory and sensory manager, Chivas Bros
Chairman Patrick van Zuidam – master distiller and managing director, Zuidam Distillers
Judges Seiichi Koshimizu – chief blender, Suntory Billy Leighton – master blender, Irish Distillers Richard Paterson – master blender, Whyte & Mackay Distillers (top left) Jimmy Russell – master distiller, Wild Turkey Distillery Shigeo Sato – master blender, The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co Colin Scott – master blender, Chivas Bros David Stewart – master blender and malt master, William Grant & Sons
Judges Kobus Gelderblom – chief brandy master, KWV Louis Nomdedeu – head of research, Cognac Rémy Martin Simon Palmer – cellar master, Cognac Leyrat Olivier Paultes – cellar master, Cognac Frapin Bruno Tosolini – head of production and quality control, Distillerie Camel
Judges Leonid Gelibterman – Whitehall-St Petersburg Co Elzbieta Goldyka – research, development & technology manager, V&S Luksusowa Lesley Gracie –new liquid development leader, William Grant & Sons Halvor Heuch – master blender and vice-president spirits, Arcus AS/Norway (above left) Desmond Payne – master distiller, Beefeater Gin
Judges Dave Broom – freelance writer and author of Rum Glenfiddich Drink Book of the Year 2004 Ian AV Burrell – UK rum ambassador and owner Cottons Restaurants, London Peter Martin – manager, Europe, J Wray & Nephew Eric Strahan – director, The Main Rum Company
Judges Gerard Chaussée – general manager, Védrenne Pages Distilleries Mr Matthijs Jansen – senior manager R&D, quality control and laboratory, De Kuyper Royal Distilleries Adeline Loizeau – Cognac quality manager, Grand Marnier Micaela Pallini – vicepresident, Pallini (ILAR)
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 5
Trophy winners
Setting the standard The ISC judges re-taste all the Gold medal winners in their search for those of a sufficiently high standard to earn a Trophy. The Trophies are awarded entirely at the discretion of the judges, who are some of the foremost experts in the spirits industry
Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky 40 Year Old
James Martin’s Blended Scotch 30 Year Old
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30 Year Old
William Grant & Son’s malt master David Stewart selected the casks and married the remnants of the previous 40-year-old vatting to make the Glenfiddich Rare Collection 40 Year Old. The selected casks were laid down for maturation in traditional warehouses in 1961, 1965 and 1966. The 1965 cask is a sherry butt and the other two refill hogsheads. What remained of the previous vatting contained whiskies first distilled in 1925. The Rare Collection 40 Year Old is bottled at the cask strength of 43.7% and packaged in a solid oak presentation box with tasting notes from the renowned, now deceased, whisky writer Michael Jackson.
James Martin set up his whisky distillery business in Edinburgh in 1878, quickly establishing a reputation for producing whiskies aged for considerably longer thn normal – a tradition that continues today. The James Martin’s Fine & Rare Aged 30 Years expression is matured in Oloroso sherry casks and is particularly noted for its richness and complexity, displaying notes of nuts, butterscotch and dried fruits. In September, owner Moët Hennessy unveiled new packaging and a new ad campaign for the brand, entitled Exothermic.
For the second consecutive year the Japanese Suntory group has picked up a Trophy for its Hibiki 30 Year Old. It also won the ISC Trophy in 2004. Hibiki is Suntory’s top blended whisky brand, launched in 1989, 60 years after Suntory founder, Shinjiro Torii, unveiled Japan’s first domesticallyproduced whisky. The 30 Year Old is highly regarded by whisky connoisseurs and enthusiasts. It is the jewel in the Suntory crown and commands super-premium prices. The Suntory logo is called the hibiki. It is said to symbolise the company’s quest to foster harmony and happiness.
6 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
www.internationalspiritschallenge.com
Cognac Frapin Multimillésime Grande Champagne
Van Ryn’s Distillers Reserve 12 Year Old
Flagship Vodka
Cognac Frapin’s Multimillésime Grande Champagne is a mould-breaking Cognac, blended from the exceptional vintages of 1982, 1983 and 1985 – 25, 23 and 22 years old respectively. Frapin has one of the largest estates in the Grande Champagne region with more than 200ha of vines. It is one of the few Cognac houses with a large enough estate to embark on such a venture. Cellarmaster Olivier Paultes, blessed with brilliant raw material from outstanding terroir, has created a new Cognac. It combines the rancio of the 1982, fruitiness of the 1983 and finesse of the 1985.
South Africa is fast becoming known for producing world-class brandies. This Stellenbosch-based distiller, part of the mighty Distell group, makes its brandies “as in Cognac”. Made from Chenin Blanc and Colombar grapes, the Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve is distilled in traditional 19th-century copper stills then aged in French oak. As well as being among the longestaged brandies on the local market, it claims to be the only brandy distillery in South Africa with its own cooperage.
This outstanding Russian vodka is said to be made from natural artesian water that undergoes a three-stage refinement to make it as soft as mountain spring water. The water is then blended with deluxe spirit made exclusively from selected grain and distilled using the Mendeleyev formula, a benchmark in vodka production, created by a Russian chemist in 1894. The blend undergoes further refinement under pressure before extensive filtration. The Flagship name comes from the Dutch word “flagman” and was adopted byTsar Peter I while studying navigation in the Netherlands. He was the founder of the Russian navy and its first admiral, known as Mister Flagship of the Russian Fleet.
Lysholm Linie Aquavit
Domaine de Sathenay Crème de Cassis
Best in category – Santa Teresa Rhum Orange
The Lysholm family set up its distillery in Norway in 1821, some 14 years after the accidental discovery that leaving aquavit in large oak barrels on the deck of a ship that travels the world can bring new character to the classic Scandinavian spirit. “It’s a kind of forced maturation,” says Arcus vice-president, spirits, Halvor Heuch. This leads to a reduction in viscosity and the spirit becomes more mellow, with more wood extract. On its return journey to Oslo, Linie lies in 500litre Oloroso sherry casks, sailing around Australia and passing twice through the Panama canal. It is a rectified potato spirit, fermented then distilled with herbs and spices in copper pot stills. The predominant flavours, says Heuch, are of caraway and anis, with others such as coriander and dill.
Védrenne is a leading producer of quality fruit liqueurs and crème liqueurs for the restaurant and hotel sectors. Védrenne, founded in 1923 in the famous wine region of Nuits St Georges in Burgundy, merged with the Pagès distillery in 1997, giving it the necessary knowhow in plant liqueur distillation. In 1999 the Domaine de Sathenay fruit cultivation in Gevrey Chambertin reinforced Védrenne’s expertise in fruit crème liqueurs. In 2001 Védrenne opened a museum devoted to the fruit that had contributed to the awareness of its name: blackcurrant.
While the judges felt it had not quite achieved the required level to be awarded a Trophy, Santa Teresa Rhum Orange was this year the sole recipient of a Best in Category award. Made with selected Santa Teresa rums aged for two years in barrels of American white oak then combined with a maceration of orange peel, the drink’s “splendid amber colour and fragrant fruity aroma” is highlighted by the company. Winner of the Alambique de Plata 2003 prize, Santa Teresa Rhum Orange also warranted a Gold medal in the 2008 Drinks International Rum Challenge.
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 7
Special awards
Reaching new highs in traditional values Supreme Champion spirit Frapin Multimillésime Grande Champagne Cognac Making fine Cognac takes time and expertise – and the Frapin family has had since 1270 in the south west of France to hone its skills. Starting out as winemakers, the family took the next step and became distillers. They have been following that path for 20 generations now. ISC brandy category chairman Neil Mathieson, of UK specialist spirits distributor Eaux de Vie, says: “It wasn’t a blockbuster and it didn’t show great age, but it came together very well in the tasting. Sometimes when you have tasted a few, something comes along and is immediately noticed by all the tasters and this was one. “Unlike the single from last year, this showed the art of the maître de cave, picking three spirits which, when blended, produce the correct balance of floral, oaky and fruity attributes to overcome a lack of great age which can sometimes imbue more finesse and rancio,” says Mathieson Cellarmaster Olivier Paultes says: “This Cognac is special because it comes only from our vineyard in the Grande Champagne premier cru. Also we only make a vintage when we have a great year. This is the first time, certainly in Cognac, where we have made a blend of different, certified vintages (millésimes) so it is a blend of the best years.” The blend comprises 1982 for rancio (ageing), 1983 for fruity, floral notes and 1985 for elegance. cognac-frapin.com
Excellence in Craftmanship The Glenfiddich Distillery
Distiller of the Year William Grant & Sons
It’s a hat-trick for the family-owned distiller best known for its iconic global brands Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Grant’s and Monkey Shoulder. Founded in 1887, William Grant & Sons has now won the prestigious ISC Distiller of the Year award three times, also in 2005 and 2006. The company’s Scotch whiskies are produced at Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Girvan distilleries. Although famed internationally for its whiskies, William Grant has diversifed into other premium spirits, including a premium vodka called Reyka, the super-premium gin Hendrick’s and a range of rums, including the Sailor Jerry brand. The award is based on the performance of all the company’s ISC entrants, which included a Trophy for the Glenfiddich 40 Year Old, six Golds, 13 Silvers, nine Bronzes and two Commended. www.williamgrant.com
The Glenfiddich distillery is said to have changed little since the great man himself, William Grant, was there in 1896 with his wife and nine children. It claims to be the only Highland single malt distilled, matured and bottled at its own distillery, using a single source of spring water. The distillery, which was built by Grant, lies in the centre of the Scottish Highlands. Five generations later the still-independent, family-owned distillery has retained many of the time-honoured, hand-crafted techniques that ensure the quality and consistency of its whisky. Only Robbie Dhu natural spring water from the Conval Hills close by is used to make the whiskies. The spirit is put into hand-built oak casks – sherry butts from Spain and Bourbon casks from the US – prepared and maintained at the distillery’s own cooperage. The distillery also claims to be the only one creating a single malt whisky still using wooden marrying tuns stored on-site in a traditional dark, damp warehouse where the temperature, humidity and Highland climate give Glenfiddich its distinctive character. Nearly all Glenfiddich single malts are bottled on site. glenfiddich.com
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 7
Trophy winners
Setting the standard The ISC judges re-taste all the Gold medal winners in their search for those of a sufficiently high standard to earn a Trophy. The Trophies are awarded entirely at the discretion of the judges, who are some of the foremost experts in the spirits industry
Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky 40 Year Old
James Martin’s Blended Scotch 30 Year Old
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30 Year Old
William Grant & Son’s malt master David Stewart selected the casks and married the remnants of the previous 40-year-old vatting to make the Glenfiddich Rare Collection 40 Year Old. The selected casks were laid down for maturation in traditional warehouses in 1961, 1965 and 1966. The 1965 cask is a sherry butt and the other two refill hogsheads. What remained of the previous vatting contained whiskies first distilled in 1925. The Rare Collection 40 Year Old is bottled at the cask strength of 43.7% and packaged in a solid oak presentation box with tasting notes from the renowned, now deceased, whisky writer Michael Jackson.
James Martin set up his whisky distillery business in Edinburgh in 1878, quickly establishing a reputation for producing whiskies aged for considerably longer thn normal – a tradition that continues today. The James Martin’s Fine & Rare Aged 30 Years expression is matured in Oloroso sherry casks and is particularly noted for its richness and complexity, displaying notes of nuts, butterscotch and dried fruits. In September, owner Moët Hennessy unveiled new packaging and a new ad campaign for the brand, entitled Exothermic.
For the second consecutive year the Japanese Suntory group has picked up a Trophy for its Hibiki 30 Year Old. It also won the ISC Trophy in 2004. Hibiki is Suntory’s top blended whisky brand, launched in 1989, 60 years after Suntory founder, Shinjiro Torii, unveiled Japan’s first domesticallyproduced whisky. The 30 Year Old is highly regarded by whisky connoisseurs and enthusiasts. It is the jewel in the Suntory crown and commands super-premium prices. The Suntory logo is called the hibiki. It is said to symbolise the company’s quest to foster harmony and happiness.
8 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
www.internationalspiritschallenge.com
Cognac Frapin Multimillésime Grande Champagne
Van Ryn’s Distillers Reserve 12 Year Old
Flagship Vodka
Cognac Frapin’s Multimillésime Grande Champagne is a mould-breaking Cognac, blended from the exceptional vintages of 1982, 1983 and 1985 – 25, 23 and 22 years old respectively. Frapin has one of the largest estates in the Grande Champagne region with more than 200ha of vines. It is one of the few Cognac houses with a large enough estate to embark on such a venture. Cellarmaster Olivier Paultes, blessed with brilliant raw material from outstanding terroir, has created a new Cognac. It combines the rancio of the 1982, fruitiness of the 1983 and finesse of the 1985.
South Africa is fast becoming known for producing world-class brandies. This Stellenbosch-based distiller, part of the mighty Distell group, makes its brandies “as in Cognac”. Made from Chenin Blanc and Colombar grapes, the Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve is distilled in traditional 19th-century copper stills then aged in French oak. As well as being among the longestaged brandies on the local market, it claims to be the only brandy distillery in South Africa with its own cooperage.
This outstanding Russian vodka is said to be made from natural artesian water that undergoes a three-stage refinement to make it as soft as mountain spring water. The water is then blended with deluxe spirit made exclusively from selected grain and distilled using the Mendeleyev formula, a benchmark in vodka production, created by a Russian chemist in 1894. The blend undergoes further refinement under pressure before extensive filtration. The Flagship name comes from the Dutch word “flagman” and was adopted byTsar Peter I while studying navigation in the Netherlands. He was the founder of the Russian navy and its first admiral, known as Mister Flagship of the Russian Fleet.
Lysholm Linie Aquavit
Domaine de Sathenay Crème de Cassis
Best in category – Santa Teresa Rhum Orange
The Lysholm family set up its distillery in Norway in 1821, some 14 years after the accidental discovery that leaving aquavit in large oak barrels on the deck of a ship that travels the world can bring new character to the classic Scandinavian spirit. “It’s a kind of forced maturation,” says Arcus vice-president, spirits, Halvor Heuch. This leads to a reduction in viscosity and the spirit becomes more mellow, with more wood extract. On its return journey to Oslo, Linie lies in 500litre Oloroso sherry casks, sailing around Australia and passing twice through the Panama canal. It is a rectified potato spirit, fermented then distilled with herbs and spices in copper pot stills. The predominant flavours, says Heuch, are of caraway and anis, with others such as coriander and dill.
Védrenne is a leading producer of quality fruit liqueurs and crème liqueurs for the restaurant and hotel sectors. Védrenne, founded in 1923 in the famous wine region of Nuits St Georges in Burgundy, merged with the Pagès distillery in 1997, giving it the necessary knowhow in plant liqueur distillation. In 1999 the Domaine de Sathenay fruit cultivation in Gevrey Chambertin reinforced Védrenne’s expertise in fruit crème liqueurs. In 2001 Védrenne opened a museum devoted to the fruit that had contributed to the awareness of its name: blackcurrant.
While the judges felt it had not quite achieved the required level to be awarded a Trophy, Santa Teresa Rhum Orange was this year the sole recipient of a Best in Category award. Made with selected Santa Teresa rums aged for two years in barrels of American white oak then combined with a maceration of orange peel, the drink’s “splendid amber colour and fragrant fruity aroma” is highlighted by the company. Winner of the Alambique de Plata 2003 prize, Santa Teresa Rhum Orange also warranted a Gold medal in the 2008 Drinks International Rum Challenge.
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 9
Scotch whisky
Pride of Scotland The master blenders and distillers who made up a demanding panel of judges were impressed by the high quality on display, awarding twice as many Golds as last year TROPHY
Scotch single malts Glenfiddich 40 Year Old William Grant & Sons
Scotch blends James Martin’s 30 Year Old Moët Hennessy
GOLD
Scotch single malts Aberlour 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers Asda Highland Malt Asda Balblair Vintage 1975 Highland Single Malt Inverhouse Distillers Bowmore 15 Year Old Morrison Bowmore Distillers Cragganmore Distillers Edition Diageo Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1987 Cask No 1010 J&G Grant Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Glenfiddich 30 Year Old William Grant & Sons Lagavulin Distillers Edition (2007) Diageo Laphroaig 10 Year Old Beam Global Spirits & Wine Sainsbury’s Speyside Malt Sainsbury’s Scapa 14 Year Old Chivas Brothers Singleton of Glen Ord Singleton of Glen Ord 18 Year Old Diageo
Strathisla 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers Talisker 10 Year Old Talisker 18 Year Old Talisker Distillers Edition Diageo Tesco 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Tesco Stores The Balvenie Signature Aged 12 Years William Grant & Sons The Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III Single Highland Malt The Dalmore 40 Year Old Single Highland Malt Whyte & MacKay The Glenlivet 18 Year Old The Glenlivet 25 Year Old Chivas Brothers
Scotch vatted malts Matisse 12 Year Old Blended Malt Matisse Spirits Morrisons Pure Malt 8 Year Old Morrisons supermarkets The Famous Grouse Malt Aged 30 Years The Edrington Group
10 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
Scotch grain Invergordon Single Grain 1973 Whyte & MacKay
Scotch blends Asda Extra Special Blended Whisky Asda Ballantine’s 30 Year Old Chivas Brothers Dewar’s 18 Year Old Founders Reserve Bacardi Grant’s 18 Year Old Grant’s Sherry Cask Reserve William Grant & Sons Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old Inverhouse Distillers Label 5 Scotch Whisky La Martiniquaise Langs Supreme Ian Macleod Distillers The Black Grouse The Edrington Group Whyte & MacKay Oldest 30 Year Old Whyte & MacKay Original 40 Year Old Whyte & MacKay The Thirteen 13 Year Old Whyte & MacKay
www.internationalspiritschallenge.com
SILVER
Scotch single malts Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Aberfeldy 21 Year Old John Dewar & Sons Aberlour 16 Year Old Aberlour 18 Year Old A’Bunadh Chivas Brothers Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist Ardbeg Uigeadail Moët Hennessy Asda Pure Islay Malt Asda Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Burn Stewart Distillers Glen Garioch 12 Year old Morrison Bowmore Distillers Glen Scotia Single Campbeltown Malt Glen Catrine Glendronach 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve 1976 William Grant & Sons Glenkinchie 20 Year Old Diageo Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Glenmorangie Lasanta Glenmorangie Original Moët Hennessy Isle of Jura 16 Year Old Single Highland Malt Isle of Jura 1974 Single Highland Malt Isle of Jura Elements, Fire Whyte & MacKay Lagavulin 16 Year Old Diageo Morrisons Pure Islay Malt Morrisons The Best Single Speyside Malt 15 Year Old Morrisons supermarkets Old Pultney 12 Year Old Single Malt Inverhouse Distillers Sainsbury’s Highland Malt Sainsbury’s Islay Malt
Sainsbury’s Sherry Cask Malt Sainsbury’s Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Inverhouse Distillers Tamnavulin 33 Year Old Single Speyside Malt Whyte & MacKay The Balvenie Doublewood The Balvenie Portwood 21 Year Old The Balvenie Sherry Oak William Grant & Sons The Dalmore 15 Year Old The Dalmore 1980 Single Highland Malt Whyte & MacKay The Glenlivet 12 Year Old The Glenlivet 12 Year Old First Fill The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Chivas Brothers The Glenrothes 1985 Vintage BB&R Spirits Tomintoul Aged 12 Years Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Speyside-Glenlivet Angus Dundee Distillers
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 11
Scotch whisky
SILVER
SILVER
Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Ballantine’s 21 Year Old Chivas Brothers Black Bottle Burn Stewart Distillers Chivas Regal 18 Chivas Brothers Clan MacGregor William Grant & Sons Cutty Sark BB&R Spirits Dewar’s 12 Year Old Special Reserve John Dewar & Sons Grant’s 25 Year Old William Grant & Sons Hankey Bannister 21 Year Old Inverhouse Distillers Hunting Lodge 12 Aged Years Fauconnier James Martin’s 20 Year Old Moët Hennessy Marks & Spencer Kenmore 5 Year Old Marks & Spencer Old Stag Loch Lomond Distillers Royal Salute 21 Year Old Royal Salute the Hundred Cask Selection No 3 Chivas Brothers Scottish Leader 12 Year Old Scottish Leader Platinum Seal Burn Stewart Distillers Taste the Difference Finest Old Matured 8 Year Old Sainsbury’s The Bailie Nicol Jarvie Moët Hennessy Whyte & MacKay Old Luxury 19 Year Old Whyte & MacKay Special Whyte & MacKay
Label 5 Pure Malt La Martiniquaise The Famous Grouse Malt Aged 18 years The Edrington Group
Scotch blends
12 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
Scotch vatted malts
Scotch whisky
BRONZE
Scotch single malts An Cnoc 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt An Cnoc 16 Year Old Highland Single Malt Inverhouse Distillers Asda Single Speyside Malt Asda Balblair Vintage 1986 Highland Malt Balblair Vintage 1989 Highland Single Malt Balblair Vintage 1997 Highland Single Scotch Whisky Inverhouse Distillers BenRiach 12 Year Old Peated/Pedro Ximinez Finish, Heredotus Fumosus BenRiach 12 Year Old Peated/Port Finish, Importanticus Fumosus BenRiach 12 Year Old Peated/Rum Finish, Arumaticus Fumosus BenRiach 15 Year Old Pedro Ximinez Wood Finish BenRiach 15 Year Old Port Wood Finish BenRiach 16 Year Old Single Malt BenRiach 20 Year Old Single Malt BenRiach Limited Release 1975 cask 4451 The BenRiach Distillery Company Bunnahabhaim 18 Year Old Single Malt Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old Single Malt Burn Stewart Distillers Cragganmore 12 Year Old Diageo Fettercairn 1824 Single Highland
Malt 1984 Whyte & MacKay Glen Garioch 8 Year Old Morrison Bowmore Distillers Glen Turner 18 Year Old La Martiniquaise Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1971 Cask No 140 J&G Grant Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Glenkinchie Distillers Edition Diageo Inchmurrin Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky Glen Catrine Isle of Jura 10 Year Old Isle of Jura Elements Earth Isle of Jura Superstition Isle of Jura The Delme Evans Single Highland Malt Whyte & MacKay Lagavulin 12 Year Old Diageo Ledaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Burn Stewart Distillers Longmorn 16 Year Old Chivas Brothers
Matisse 15 Year Old Single Malt Matisse Spirits Morrisons Single Highland Malt Morrisons supermarkets Old Pultney 17 Year Old Single Malt Inverhouse Distillers Talisker 25 Year Old Diageo Tesco 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Tesco Stores The Balvenie Thirty The Balvenie Vintage 1976 William Grant & Sons The Dalmore 12 Year Old Single Highland Malt The Dalmore 1985 Cask Strength Single Highland Malt The Dalmore Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 Single Highland Malt The Dalmore Gran Reserva Single Highland Malt Whyte & MacKay The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Archive The Glenlivet Nadurra Cask Strength Chivas Brothers Tobermory 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Burn Stewart Distillers
BRONZE
Scotch vatted malts Asda Blended Malt Asda Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Blended Malt Chivas Brothers Jacobite Malt Whisky Booker Monkey Shoulder William Grant & Sons Morpheas Compass Box Whisky Co
Drinks International International Spirits Challenge | October 2008 | 15
Scotch whisky
BRONZE
Scotch blends Black Dog 12 Year Old Deluxe Scotch United Spirits Dewar’s Signature Dewar’s White label John Dewar & Sons Grant’s 12 Year Old Grant’s Ale Cask Reserve Grant’s Distillery Edition Grant’s Family Reserve William Grant & Sons High Commissioner Glen Catrine Hunting Lodge
Fauconnier Label 5 12 Year Old Label 5 18 Year Old La Martiniquaise Loch Lomond Single Highland Blended Scotch Loch Lomond Distillers Matisse 12 Year Old Scotch Matisse 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Matisse Old Blended Scotch Matisse Spirits Scottish Leader Scottish Leader Blue Seal
Scottish Leader Supreme Burn Stewart Distillers Te Bheag Pràban Na Linne Tesco Reserve 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Tesco Stores The Royal and Ancient 28 Year Old The Royal and Ancient 5 Year Old Cockburn & Campbell Whyte & MacKay Supreme 22 Year Old Whyte & MacKay William Lawson’s Scottish Gold 12 Year Old John Dewar & Sons
COMMENDED
Scotch single malts Littlemill Single Lowland Malt Glen Catrine Loch Lomond 21 Year Old Single Highland Malt Loch Lomond Single Highland Malt Loch Lomond Distillers Morrisons Single Speyside Malt Morrisons Supermarkets Tesco 10 Year Old Islay Malt
16 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
Tesco Stores Tobermory 15 Year Old Single Malt Burn Stewart Distillers
Scotch grain Distillery Select Single Highland Organic Grain Loch Lomond Distillers
Whiskies of the world
Expanding horizons India gets its first Silver, while Japan maintains its quality and innovation. It’s a category, says chairman John Ramsay, that: “Sends a warning shot to the Scotch producers” TROPHY
Whiskies of the world Japanese blended Suntory Hibiki 30 Year Old Suntory
GOLD
Whiskies of the world Japanese malt
Japanese grain
Irish
Single Malt Hakushu Aged 25 Years Suntory Taketsuru 12 Year Old Taketsuru 17 Year Old Taketsuru 21 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Single Coffey Malt 12 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Japanese blended
Jameson Limited Reserve 18 Year Old Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard The Irishman 70 Hot Irishman
Super Nikka The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
American/Canadian whiskies Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Age International
18 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
www.internationalspiritschallenge.com
SILVER
Whiskies of the world Japanese malt Miyagikyo Miyagikyo 15 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company Single Malt Hakushu Aged 10 Years Single Malt Hakushu Aged 18 Years The Yamazaki Single Malt Aged 12 Years The Yamazaki Single Malt Aged 18 Years Suntory Yoichi Yoichi 15 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Japanese blended From the Barrel The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Suntory Hibiki 17 Year Old Suntory Hibiki 21 Year Old Suntory Tsuru 17 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Irish Jameson Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve Jameson Special Reserve 12 Year Old Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Tullamore Dew Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Tullamore Dew Heritage Blend C&C International
The Irishman Single Malt Hot Irishman
American/Canadian whiskies Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Four Roses Distillery Gibsons 12 Year Old William Grant & Sons
Indian Signature Rare Aged Whisky United Spirits
Whiskies from other countries Three Ships Premium 5 Year Old Distell
BRONZE
Whiskies of the world Japanese malt
Irish
Indian
Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Miyagikyo 12 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company Single Malt Hakushu Aged 12 Years The Yamazaki Single Malt Aged 10 Years Suntory Yoichi 10 Year Old Yoichi 12 Year Old Yoichi 20 Year Old The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Jameson Gold Reserve Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Milroy’s of Soho Single Cask Cooley 1991 Aged 16 Years Jeroboams Group Sainsbury’s Single Malt Irish Whiskey Sainsbury’s
Whytehall Whisky Radico Khaitan
American/Canadian whiskies Gibsons Sterling William Grant & Sons
Whiskies from other countries Mackmyra First Edition Mackmyra Preludium: 05 Mackmyra Preludium: 06 Mackmyra Svensk Whisky Millstone Zuidam Distillers Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish Three Ships Whisky Distell
COMMENDED Indian
Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky United Spirits
Drinks International International Spirits Challenge | October 2008 | 19
Cognac, Armagnac & brandy
The spirit of the vine The Cognac houses dominate, but South Africa puts in a strong showing across the board and Ukraine gets in on the act TROPHY
Cognac, Armagnac, brandy Cognac Frapin Multimillésime Grande Champagne P Frapin & Cie Brandy – South Africa Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve Distell
GOLD
Cognac, Armagnac, brandy Cognac Braastad VSOP Réserve Arcus Delamain Vintage 1973 Société Jacques Bollinger Distillerie Chantal, Bons Bois Louis Royer François Voyer XO Cognac François Voyer Armagnac Gélas 25 Year Old Ets Gélas & Fils Janneau VSOP Giovinetti Partners Calvados Tesco VSOP Pays d’Auge Calvados Tesco Stores Brandy – South Africa Sydney Back Backsberg Van Ryn’s 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy Viceroy 5 Distell
20 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
SILVER
Cognac, Armagnac, brandy Cognac ABK6 Aged 10 Years ABK6 Cognac – SNC du Maine Drilhon Distillerie les Magnolias, Grande Champagne Louis Royer Gautier Cognac Gautier Otard VSOP Fine Champagne Château de Cognac Preference VSOP Louis Royer Armagnac Janneau Très Vieille Reserve Giovinetti Partners Tesco VSOP Armagnac Tesco Stores Calvados Boulard Hors d’Age SACB
Brandy – France Raynal VSOP William Grant & Sons Brandy – South Africa Martell VO Pernod Ricard Klipdrift Gold Oude Meester Demant Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old Richelieu Van Ryn’s 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve Distell Brandy – Spain Cardenal Mendoza Carta Real Sánchez Romate Grappa Grappa Moscato Giallo Distilleria Pilzer
www.internationalspiritschallenge.com
BRONZE
Cognac, Armagnac, brandy Cognac Bache-Gabrielsen 3 Kors Bache-Gabrielsen XO Bache-Gabrielsen Braastad Château de Triac Braastad XO Superior Trés Vieille Réserve Arcus Camus VS Elegance Camus XO Borderies Cognac Camus Delamain Extra Delamain Pale & Dry XO Société Jacques Bollinger Distillerie d’Aumagne, Fins Bois Distillerie de l’Ecole, Petite Champagne Distillerie des Saules, Borderies Louis Royer
Garde Marine VSOP Rusimport Louis Royer Extra, Grande Champagne Louis Royer Otard XO Gold Château de Cognac Tesco Finest XO Cognac Tesco VSOP Cognac Tesco Stores Armagnac Janneau 5 Year Old Giovinetti Partners Marcel Trepout Apothéose 30 Year Old Marques et Domaines de Gascogne Taste the Difference 18 Year Old Armagnac Sainsbury’s
Brandy – France Saint Vincent Grande Reserve Rusimport Brandy – South Africa Nederburg Solera Potstill Brandy Distell Brandy – Spain Gran Duque d’Alba Oro Bodegas Williams & Humbert Grappa Bepi Tosolini Bepi Tosolini Barrique 1990 Giovanni Tosolini Grappa Traminer Distilleria Pilzer
COMMENDED
Cognac, Armagnac, brandy Cognac Asda ES XO Cognac Asda Garde Marine Extra Old Rusimport Tesco VS Cognac Tesco Stores VSOP Elegance Cognac Camus
Armagnac Janneau XO Giovinetti Partners
Brandy – Spain Gran Capataz Booker
Brandy – South Africa Collisons Flight of the Fish Eagle Van Ryn’s 20 Year Old Collector’s Reserve Distell
Brandy – Ukraine Askania Agro-Industrial Firm Tavria
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 21
Vodka
Clear-cut winners It’s the most vibrant and competitive sector in the global spirits industry. This year the Trophy goes to Russia, but Scandinavia is ever present and New Zealand grabs a Gold TROPHY Vodka
Premium Flagship Inter Republican Winery
GOLD Vodka
Super-premium 42 Below Vodka Bacardi Premium Kremlyovskaya SPI Group Standard Eristoff Bacardi Nemiroff Ukrainian Wheat Nemiroff Ukrainian Vodka Company
BRONZE Vodka
Super-premium Kremlyovskaya Zvezda SPI Group Premium Ledo Anyksciu Vynas Flavoured Vikingfjord Vodka Sitrus Arcus
22 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
SILVER Vodka
Super-premium Nemiroff Premium DeLuxe Nemiroff Ukrainian Vodka Company Premium Bols Vodka CEDC Taste the Difference Polish Multigrain Vodka Sainsbury’s Vikingfjord Vodka Arcus Standard Glen’s Vodka Glen Catrine Flavoured Magic Moments Remix Orange Vodka Radico Khaitan Vikingfjord Vodka Eple Arcus
COMMENDED Vodka
Super-premium Khortytsa Premium Affiliated Company Image Holding Premium Reyka Vodka William Grant & Sons Standard Cossack Vodka Tanduay Distillers
Gin
GOLD Gin
Super-premium Citadelle Cognac Ferrand Premium Beefeater 47 Chivas Brothers Standard Tesco Finest Tesco Standard Plus Tesco Stores
Botanicals are finding favour The number of medals awarded in the gin category is on the up, reflecting its increasing appeal in the bar world
SILVER Gin
Super-premium Crown Jewel Chivas Brothers
Premium
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin Hayman Distillers Morrisons The Best of Gin Morrisons supermarkets Pink 47 Old St Andrews
BRONZE Gin
Super-premium 209 Gin Distillery 209 Hendrick’s Gin William Grant & Sons South Gin Bacardi Whitley Neill London Dry Gin Whitley Neill Premium Beefeater Chivas Brothers Blackfriars Gin Sainsbury’s Hammer London Dry gin Arcus Rogue Spruce Gin Rogue Spirits Standard Gin Kapitan Tanduay Distillers
COMMENDED Gin
Premium Greenall’s London Dry Gin G&J Greenall
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 25
White spirits
A world of diversity White spirits chairman Ian Wisniewski was pleased to see an increase in the number of tequila entries and it proved a particularly successful year for the aquavits SILVER Aquavit Bergens Akevitt 1818 Simers Taffel Aquavit Arcus Tequila añejo Campo Azul Productos Finos de Agave
TROPHY Aquavit Lysholm Linie Aquavit Arcus
Tequila blanco Milagro Silver William Grant & Sons
Aquavit Aalborg Jubilaeums Akvavit V&S Distillers
Tequila reposado El Espolon Reposado Destiladora San Nicolas Milagro Reposado William Grant & Sons
Tequila añejo Milagro Añejo William Grant & Sons
Other white spirits, schnapps etc Nemiroff Cranberry Nemiroff Ukrainian Vodka Company
GOLD
BRONZE Aquavit Aalborg Taffel Akvavit V&S Distillers
Tequila blanco Herradura Blanco Brown-Forman
Tequila añejo El Espolon Añejo Destiladora San Nicolas Origine Añejo SuperValu
Tequila reposado Arette Reposado Jaime Orendain Other white spirits, schnapps etc Pancracio Original Chocolate Vodka Pancracio Sucesores
COMMENDED Aquavit Malteserkreuz Aquavit V&S Distillers Tequila reposado Milagro Reposado Select Barrel Reserve
William Grant & Sons Other white spirits, schnapps etc Marks & Spencer Sloe Gin Marks & Spencer
26 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
Liqueurs & specialities
Bar essentials make a colourful backdrop A huge array of flavours, textures and levels of alcohol, ranging from creamy through herbal to fruity and sweet, makes this an especially demanding category for the judges TROPHY
BRONZE
Liqueurs – cassis Domaine de Sathenay Cassis Pages Védrenne
Liqueurs – brandy-based AO Marques et Domaines de Gascogne Marks & Spencer Orange & Brandy Liqueur Marks & Spencer
Liqueurs & Specialities
SILVER
Liqueurs & Specialities Liqueurs – cassis Supercassis Pages Védrenne Liqueurs – herbal Løitens Aquavit Likør Arcus Liqueurs – whisky-based Glayva Whyte & MacKay Specialities – anis-based Pontarlier-Anis Distillerie Pierre Guy
Liqueurs & Specialities
Liqueurs – creamy Tesco Finest Irish Cream Liqueur Tesco Stores Liqueurs – fruit berry Mathilde Framboise Cognac Ferrand Liqueurs – fruit other Banane du Bresil Premium Liqueur Giffard Liqueurs – herbal Bénédictine DOM Distillerie Bénédictine St Hallvard Likør Arcus Liqueurs – whisky-based Irish Mist Liqueur C&C International Marks & Spencer Kenmore Whisky Liqueur Marks & Spencer Other liqueurs & specialities Frangelico C&C International Le Vert Sapin Distillerie Pierre Guy Marks & Spencer Coffee Liqueur Marks & Spencer Toussaint Coffee Liqueur Toussaint
28 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
www.internationalspiritschallenge.com
COMMENDED
Liqueurs & Specialities Liqueurs – bitter 1-Enkelt V&S Distillers Salers Bitter Distillerie de la Salers Liqueurs – cassis Marks & Spencer Cassis Marks & Spencer Liqueurs – creamy Amarula Cream Distell Asda Extra Special Coffee Cream Liqueur Asda Carolans C&C International Coole Swan Coole Swan Corky’s Cappuccino Global Brands Declans Irish Country Cream Booker Marks & Spencer Chocolate and Orange Marks & Spencer Irish Cream Liqueur Marks & Spencer Tesco Finest Coffee Cream Liqueur Tesco Stores
Liqueurs – fruit berry Vodka Iganoff Roter Beveland Liqueurs – fruit citrus Limonello Casal d´Emilia Beveland Liqueurs – fruit other Le Birlou Henri Monier Sour Apple Binyamina Binyamina Winery Liqueurs – herbal Mentzendorff Kummel Mentzendorff Oude Meester Peppermint Liqueur Distell Other liqueurs & specialities Disaronno Amaretto Illva Saronno Martín Códax Licor Café Bodegas Martín Códax
International Spirits Challenge Drinks International | October 2008 | 29
Rum
Variety is the spice The rum category is really taking off, as the global taste for premium aged spirits continues to grow
GOLD
COMMENDED
Rum, other premiums (brown, golden & dark) no age stated Extra Old Barbados Rum Mount Gay Distilleries Limited Origine Caribbean Amber Rum SuperValu
Rum, super premiums (brown, golden & dark) 12+ years, stated age Appleton Estate Master Blenders’ Legacy Jamaica Rum J Wray & Nephew
Rum, flavoured or spiced Santa Teresa Rhum Orange Ron Santa Teresa
Rum, other premiums (brown, golden & dark), no age stated Myers’s Diageo Santa Teresa Selecto Ron Santa Teresa
Rum
SILVER Rum
Rum, under 7 years old (brown, golden & dark), stated age Red Heart Rum Pernod Ricard South Africa
Rum
Rum, between 7 and 11 years old (brown, golden & dark), stated age Angostura 7 Year Old Angostura
Rum agricole or cane spirit Savanna Créol Distillerie de Savanna
Rum, under 7 years old (brown, golden & dark), stated age Santa Teresa Gran Reserva Ron Santa Teresa
Cachaça Las Iguanas Magnífica Cachaça do Brasil Magnifica UK
Rum, unaged (brown, golden & dark) Marks & Spencer Dark Rum Marks & Spencer
BRONZE Rum
Rum, super-premiums (brown, golden & dark) 12+ years, stated age Pusser’s Rum 15 Year Old Pusser’s Rum Company Rum, other premiums (brown, golden & dark) no age stated Santa Teresa 1796 Ron Santa Teresa Rum, under 7 years old (brown, golden & dark), stated age Angostura 5 Year Old Angostura Eclipse Mount Gay Distilleries
30 | October 2008 | Drinks International International Spirits Challenge
Plantation Grand Reserve Cognac Ferrand Rum, other premiums (white) Elements 8 Platinum Elements 8 Rum Company Rum, flavoured or spiced Araku Ron Santa Teresa White rum Angostura Reserva Angostura Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum J Wray & Nephew