Ian Macleod Distillers triumphs at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Family-owned, independent spirits company, Ian Macleod Distillers, is delighted to have been awarded an outstanding five Gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, America’s most respected international spirits competition.

Three brands owned by Ian Macleod Distillers came up tops in the prestigious competition including; Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky.

• Tamdhu Batch Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Double Gold
• Tamdhu 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Gold
• Glengoyne 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Gold
• Glengoyne Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (BATCH 3): Gold
• Isle of Skye 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky: Gold

The competition took place on the 17^th – 20^th March in downtown San Francisco, where a panel of carefully selected spirits industry experts blind tasted over 1,700 sprits, the widest range in the 16-year history of the competition.

Commenting on the awards Neil Boyd, Commercial Director of Malts for Ian Macleod Distillers, said, “After winning three awards at the same competition last year, we are thrilled to have topped that this year with five much sought-after Gold medals.

“With a record number of entries, it is great to receive such a high recognition for the quality of our products, especially as the judging and evaluation process is always so rigorous!”

Since its establishment in 2000, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition has become the largest international spirits competition in America, as well as the most influential in the industry. Entries are scrutinised by the finest palates and the judging is blind, ensuring competitive integrity.

Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers. The company acquired Glengoyne Distillery in 2003 and Tamdhu Distillery in 2011.           

For more information, please visit www.ianmacleod.com. 

Please drink responsibly.

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Tamdhu Batch Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Nose: Red berries, sultanas, walnuts, hints of pecan, delicate citrus and oak, creamy vanilla, cookie dough.

Palate: Powerful burst of richness, fantastically rounded with sherry oak, spice and dried fruit. Kept on the palate, lighter fruits come to the fore – apricot, orange and crème brûlée.

Finish: Rich, biscuity and malty, toast and marmalade with pleasing fruitiness lingering.

Tamdhu 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Very appealing and fragrant; sugar syrup with delicate peach and orange, mixing with fresh oak, cinnamon and leather, sugared almonds and vanilla. 

Palate: The fruitiness and spice blend brilliantly with a pleasing toffee and sherry richness building as it is held on the palate. 

Finish: Fruit and vanilla linger becoming pleasantly drying with a hint of distant peat smoke.

Glengoyne 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Coconut oil, honey, lemon zest, dried oak. 

Palate: Toffee apples, cinnamon spice, ginger, orange, shortbread. 

Finish: A hint of sherry and soft oak. Very well balanced.

Glengoyne Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (BATCH 3) 

Nose: Warm baked custard, peppered strawberries, digestive biscuits, soft oak and a short sherbet tingle.

Palate: Thick rosehip syrup, demerara sugar developing into a spicy, gooseberry dryness. Wonderful balance, nothing dominates.

Finish: Very long.

Isle of Skye 12 Year Old Blended Scotch 

Nose: Ripe, fruity and well balanced. Sherry, dried fruits and a hint of smoke. Water brings out a butter edge. A lot going on. 

Palate: Overall, a little drier than the nose suggests but with excellent, soft, mid-palate weight. Light smoke all the way through. 

Finish: Ripe and soft