GOLD PILES UP FOR DIAGEO’S SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES
The IWSC’s judges wrote about Caol Ila 12 year old, which won this year’s Trophy for single malt whiskies under 15 years old: “Peat fires, lemon, lime, smoky bacon, lapsang souchong tea are all on the gorgeous nose. All delivered in a bowl of crème brûlée with a light menthol breeze blowing from behind. Rich, malty sweetness in the mouth with citrus, dark berries and delicate twist of wood smoke. Invigorating yet gentle. Magic !”
Caol Ila™ 12 year old is Best Single Malt under 15 years old at the IWSC
With the 2010 results now announced by the major spirits competitions, Diageo is celebrating the 34 Gold Medals won for its Classic Malts Selection Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in 2010.
Talisker and Lagavulin, in their several expressions, once again feature prominently, maintaining their long-standing record for supreme malt whisky quality, recognised consistently in blind tastings by independent experts across the cycle of competitions.
But this year also saw major rewards for Caol Ila, Clynelish and other stars.
‘Magic’ Caol Ila™
Billy Stitchell and his small team on the shores of the Sound of Islay learned in July that Caol Ila 12 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky had won the International Wine & Spirit Competition Trophy – the competition’s top award – for the Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky under 15 Years Old.
Earlier in the year, Caol Ila 12 year old had set the scene for this supreme achievement by walking away with a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as well as a Master at the Scotch Whisky Masters.
The IWSC’s judges wrote about Caol Ila:
“Peat fires, lemon, lime, smoky bacon, lapsang souchong tea are all on the gorgeous nose. All delivered in a bowl of crème brûlée with a light menthol breeze blowing from behind. Rich, malty sweetness in the mouth with citrus, dark berries and delicate twist of wood smoke. Invigorating yet gentle. Magic !”
“Stunning dram” – Lagavulin™
From the other end of Islay, Lagavulin 16 year old and Lagavulin Distillers Edition, as so often before, won a Gold or higher award in every competition they entered.
In the last 6 years, Lagavulin 16 year old has earned itself 21 Gold Medals or higher in major international competitions. In 2010 alone, this iconic and much adored Islay malt took
• a Gold Medal at San Francisco
• a Master at the Scotch Whisky Masters
• a Gold – Best in Class at the IWSC
• a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge
The IWSC judges spoke of “A stunning dram in its best condition”.
More honours for Talisker™
Repeating its 2009 performance, Talisker 10 year old won Golds or higher at San Francisco, the Scotch Whisky Masters (London), and at the IWSC (Gold – Best in Class). Talisker Distillers Edition took Golds at the Scotch Whisky Masters and the IWSC.
In the last six years, Talisker has won 18 Gold medals for its 10 year old expression alone.
In awarding the Gold – Best in Class medal, the IWSC judges said of the Talisker 10 year old:
“Full, rich and positive nose with hints of sea air, honey, smoke and malt. Full in the mouth with good deep flavours repeating what the nose promised. Marmalade, chocolate and orange peel add to the complexity with some cocoa right at the end. Beautiful harmony. Long flawless finish.”
‘Objective benchmarks’
Commenting on the 2010 awards, Diageo’s Dr Nicholas Morgan said:
“These results reflect a consistent pattern of achievement over many years, and across all major competitions.”
“This must confirm that these malt whiskies are delivering – and being independently recognised for – a high and consistent quality. We are immensely proud to see the excellence of our single malt whiskies, particularly Talisker and Lagavulin, now often joined by Caol Ila and Clynelish, acknowledged and rewarded at these international events.”
“When there’s such an overwhelming – and ever-growing – number of single malts on the market, we know that it must be helpful for many consumers to have an objective benchmark to guide them in their choices. Success in these well managed competitions has to be one of the best signposts to enjoyable whiskies.”
NOTES
California: four Double Golds
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the spring awarded Double Golds to Caol Ila 12 year old, Clynelish 14 year old, Dalwhinnie 15 year old Oban 14 year old.
Clynelish has won a stupendous Double Gold at San Francisco every year in the last 5 years!
http://www.sfspiritscomp.com
Scotch Whisky Masters: five Masters, eight Golds
Before the summer the Scotch Whisky Masters, a London-based competition, awarded their top ‘Master’ commendations to Talisker 10 year old, Lagavulin 16 year old and Lagavulin Distillers Edition – as in 2009 – but also to Caol Ila 12 year old and Talisker 57° North.
Gold medals were awarded to Caol Ila Distillers Edition, Clynelish 14 year old, Clynelish Distillers Edition, Cragganmore 12 year old, Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition, Glenkinchie 12 year old, The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 year old and Talisker Distillers Edition.
International Spirits Challenge – three Golds
In July, the International Spirits Challenge confirmed the award of three Gold medals for Caol Ila Distillers Edition, Lagavulin 16 year old and Lagavulin Distillers Edition.
http://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/
International Wine & Spirit Competition – a Trophy, six Gold-Best in Class
The IWSC’s highly qualified panels of fiercely independent international judges declared Caol Ila 12 year old worthy of the prestigious Trophy for the best Single Malt under 15 Years.
On top of that there were six other Gold Best in Class awards for the Classic Malts Selection, given to Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition, Lagavulin 16 year old, Oban Distillers Edition, Royal Lochnagar 12 year old, Talisker 10 year old and Talisker Distillers Edition.
http://www.iwsc.net
The Classic Malts Selection, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Glen Ord, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, Talisker, The Singleton and Distillers Edition words and associated logos are trade marks. © 2010
