Major accolades for South African brandy at International Spirits Challenge in London

Thursday, 25 July, 2013
Ian du Toit
The reputation of South African brandy was confirmed once again at this year’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in London where it claimed 29 medals and a coveted trophy. KWV 15 Year Old took top honours, excelling by winning the Trophy in the Potstill brandy category as the product of the most exceptional quality.

The ISC, now in its 18th year, is regarded as one of the most prestigious and toughest international competitions reserved solely for spirits. The judging procedures are highly respected and participation is global. Annually more than 70 countries compete, underlining the magnitude of the achievements of our brandy on the international arena.

An expert panel of master blenders and distillers, importers and independent specialists who – striving to recognise exceptional quality and excellence - assesses a comprehensive line-up based on aroma, appearance and taste.

Winning a gold medal (‘excellent product, superior standard’, scoring 80 – 89.9 out of 100) are: KWV 20 Year Old, KWV 15 Year Old, Richelieu Export Liqueur Brandy, Richelieu 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy, Uitkyk Estate Brandy Grand Reserve 10 Year Old, Van Ryn's Vintage Brandy 10 Year Old, Commando Brandy, Mellow Wood Brandy and Van Ryn's Distillers Reserve 12 Year Old.

The string of silver medals (15) and bronze medals (5) further reinforces the reputation of South Africa’s most iconic spirit across all styles and price points. (The full listing of ISC results appears below).

“These results, against the backdrop of South Africa’s continuous international achievements over many years, confirms that no other country can compete with us when it comes to fine brandy,” says Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the South African Brandy Foundation. South Africans can be proud of our country’s most iconic spirit and bask in the international recognition.”

Brandy masters have rightly been described as both composer and conductor, skilfully blending the essential components until the desired performance has been achieved. Pieter de Bod, KWV brandy master describes the trophy-winning KWV 15 Year Old as “incredibly soft, with fantastic flavours of tawny Port, fruit cake, honey, apricot and spices.” For the KWV 15 Year Old trophy-winning result, 15 to 22 year matured brandies were selected="true"="true" and 32 different test-blends made up before the brandy master was satisfied – his craft honed by years of tasting, blending and nosing.

To state that South African brandies are the most revered brandies across the globe is no idle boast, as it has the accolades to prove it. In addition to dominating the ISC, South African brandy masters also leave their mark on other international competitions, such as the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) where a South African brandy has walked away with the Worldwide Best Brandy trophy no fewer than 15 times, including the past six years in succession.


International Spirits Challenge 2013 Results

TROPHY WINNER

KWV 15 Year Old

   

GOLD AWARD

 
   

Product

Producer

Richelieu Export Liqueur Brandy

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Richelieu 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Uitkyk Estate Brandy Grand Reserve 10 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Van Ryn's Vintage Brandy 10 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Commando Brandy

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Mellow Wood Brandy

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Van Ryn's Distillers Reserve 12 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

KWV 20 Year Old

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

KWV 15 Year Old

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

   

SILVER AWARD

 
   

Product

Producer

Sydney Back Brandy

Backsberg

Van Ryn's Collectors Reserve 20 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Oude Meester Demant

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Nederburg Solera Potstilled

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Flight of the Fish Eagle

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Klipdrift Premium

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Klipdrift Export

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Oude Meester VSOB

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Van Ryn's Fine Cask Reserve 15 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

KWV 10 Year Old

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

Laborie Alambic

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

KWV 3 Year Old

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

KWV 5 Year Old

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

Imoya

KWV SA (PTY) Ltd

   

BRONZE AWARD

   

Product

Producer

Collison's White Gold Potstilled

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Klipdrift Gold

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Mellow Wood 5 Year Old Brandy

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Viceroy 5 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

Oude Meester Souverein 18 Year Old

Distell (PTY) Ltd

= Follow South African Brandy’s achievements and activities on www.sabrandy.co.za

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