The IWSC is the largest spirits competition in the UK with close on 1,300 submissions made this year from 70 countries worldwide.
Apart from a number of large-scale companies that own several global brands, Distell was pitted against many famous-name specialist producers, including a sizeable portion of the whisky fraternity, with over 340 whiskies entered from Scotland alone, according to competition director Frances Horder.
Considered the most important spirits prize of the event, the V&S Distiller of the Year Trophy was presented to Distell by IWSC president, Gina Gallo at a gala event in Billingsgate, London on 6 November. The competition organisers praised the company for its “high quality range portfolio offering on spirits” and the “dedicated, resolute approach to the highest standards of distilling, blending and bottling”.
The judges whittled down the number of contenders for the trophy to a shortlist of 26 and finally settled on Distell, based on the outstanding results achieved by Mainstay, Amarula Cream and brandies from the Klipdrift, Van Ryn, Oude Meester, Richelieu and Nederburg distilleries.
Ironically, Mainstay, an original South African cane spirit, won the trophy for the best vodka in the competition, outclassing Russian, Polish and Finish producers.
Amarula, South Africa's biggest liquor brand on the international market, won the IWSC trophy for the best liqueur, while Distell's brandy portfolio came away with two gold and eight silver medals, as well as four best-of-class ratings.
Horder said the entire spectrum of producers was considered for the trophy. “This is not an easy award to win and everyone who made it to the finals can be proud of their achievement.”
On hearing about the results, Distell's director of primary production, Hennie Heÿl said: “The IWSC is one of the most important industry platforms in the world. To be accorded such an honour is no mean feat. It is a reflection of the stringent quality standards we set ourselves and demonstrates the exceptional talent in our midst. While South Africa has to date been internationally better known for its wines, the country is starting to build an impressive reputation for other alcoholic beverages too.”
The company's Van Ryn's Collection Reserve 12 Year Old potstill brandy has twice been judged the IWSC Worldwide Best Brandy.
For more information, visit: http://www.iwsc.net/
