Isle of Arran Distillers score a hat-trick of wins at China Wine and Spirits Awards 

Independent whisky producer, Isle of Arran Distillers, is celebrating three prestigious awards in the recent China Wine and Spirits Best Value Awards 2014. 

The competition is the biggest and most well-respected drinks awards in China. Designed to celebrate excellence in the drinks industry across the globe the awards act as a major springboard for wine and spirits entering China, and for brands already selling in the fastest growing market in the world.   

One hundred judges, comprising of China and Hong Kong’s most respected buyers, chose the winners after blind tasting the spirits. Isle of Arran Distillers came away with two double gold awards for their 10 Year Old and 12 Year Old Cask Strength whiskies, whilst the 14 Year Old picked up a silver award. 

Euan Mitchell, Managing Director at Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our recent award wins. The Arran Malt is very popular in China so it’s great to have this formally recognised. I expect and hope that these prestigious awards will help make more people aware of the Arran Malt as we continue to expand our export market to China and Asia.” 

This is not the first time that Isle of Arran has won an international award, recognising the increased interest in the Arran Malt overseas. For the past two years, malts from the distillery have been recognised in the renowned San Francisco World Spirits competition. 

Euan continued: “Our export sales have consistently performed significantly well, which is a trend we hope to continue.  It has been a great start to the year for us as we’ve also just launched our oldest whisky to date – the Arran Malt 17 Year Old – which is already in high demand.” 

German-born and Hong Kong based Importer Nikolas Prehn said:  “This extraordinary competition has showed that at each and every price point, including the very highest – Chinese buyers and consumers want confidence that the wines and spirits they are choosing are the ‘Best Value’. 

“As CWSA Judges are known as the most respected buyers based here in Hong Kong and China, the results are trusted – and therefore winning products showcasing their success are a very desirable purchase.’ 

Notes: 

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/ 

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.) 

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.