World Whisky Taste

If there is one thing that seems to unite most of the world it is a love for single malt Scotch whisky. However it’s surprising how tastes differ from country to country. Leading online whisky specialist, www.singlemaltsdirect.com send Scotch to over 100 different countries every year and their sales show some real differences in taste.

Managing Director of singlemaltsdirect.com Duncan Ralph explains “Our biggest export market is the USA and there we see a real love for Speyside and Highland single malts. Well-known brands like Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Dalmore are very popular but the favourite brand for Americans recently has been Macallan .”

Europe throws up more diversity though. The Swedes and the Danes love Islay single malts, in Sweden both Bowmore and Lagavulin are popular but Bruichladdich is favoured and in Denmark it’s Ardbeg that is most popular, having had a couple of limited edition releases this year. Of course Islay, along with the rest of the Scottish Hebridean islands, was once under Viking rule so perhaps that’s where the taste for Islay whisky comes from! The Germans aren’t quite as keen on the peated single malts with Dalmore and Macallan proving most in-demand again this year. The Italians have enjoyed Dufftown from Speyside and the Highland single malts from Fettercairn have been very popular in France.

Further afield, India is now a popular destination for single malts too. The big, well-known brands are top choice as you might expect but some of the smaller Lowland single malts have also sold well there, Auchentoshan and Littlemill in particular. For the first time, this year saw sales to Peru where Dalwhinnie was the bestseller!

The top ten countries by sales and their most popular brand purchased are;

1. UK – Glendronach
2. USA – The Macallan
3. Australia – Edradour
4. Finland – Tobermory
5. Canada – AnCnoc
6. Denmark – Ardbeg
7. Italy – Dufftown
8. Sweden – Bruichladdich
9. China – BenRiach
10. Germany – Dalmore

Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old Hailed ‘Supreme Champion’ at International Spirits Challenge 2012

The International Beverage team was this week (Monday 5th November) celebrating as its award-winning blended whisky, Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old, was named ‘Supreme Champion Spirit’ in the prestigious International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2012.

With the cream of the global drinks industry gathered for the annual ISC dinner at London’s Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel, Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old won gold in the Blended Scotch Whisky category before scooping the night’s highest accolade: the Supreme Champion Spirit Trophy.

In a field of more than 1000 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide, this Trophy is awarded to the highest scoring spirit across all categories in the competition and is considered to be one of the most coveted prizes for any spirit.
Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old was launched in 2007. It is an intricate blend of fine Scotch whiskies including malts from lost distilleries such as Glen Flagler and Killyloch, and grain from the demolished Garnheath distillery. It is bottled in a beautiful crystal decanter with Glencairn crystal glasses, only 1917 bottles were released to a select group of 20 markets internationally.

Karen Walker, Marketing Director of International Beverage commented: ‘Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old is already a well decorated whisky, and we are thrilled to have been awarded another great accolade at this year’s ISC. Our Master Blender Stuart Harvey and his team have done a wonderful job with the full Hankey Bannister range and in particular this very special 40 Year Old expression. If they were around today, I’m sure that Mr Hankey and Mr Bannister would be celebrating in style.’

Chairman of judges John Ramsay gave tasting notes including: ‘Fruit, vanilla, sweet, spicy, nutmeg, waxy and sherry’.

Now in its 17th year, the ISC is the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competition in the world. The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high calibre of spirits, designs and campaigns entered into the competition each year.

Hankey Bannister has one of the most colourful histories in the whisky industry. The flamboyant Mr Beaumont Hankey and his astute business partner Mr Hugh Bannister were the owners of a prestigious wine and spirits merchants with a history dating back to 1757. Their eponymous whisky is a smooth and complex blend of premium Scotch whiskies which were awarded royal warrants under King George V and Edward VII and were enjoyed by the likes of Winston Churchill. Their legacy of shared values, mutual respect and complementary skills and experiences continues to embody the brand to this day.

Hankey Bannister was acquired by Inver House Distillers in October 1988. It is already an award winner with Hankey Bannister Original Blend winning the Monde Selection Grand Gold Award for Quality in 2009 and the 40 Year Old voted World’s Best Blended Whisky at the WWA in both 2009 and 2011.

Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old tasting notes

Nose: Superbly balanced and enriched with warm fragrant aromas of raisin, chocolate, citrus and spices.
Colour: Rich amber combined with dark copper tones.
Taste: Exceptionally long-lasting smooth and full-bodied finish with hints of raisin, chocolate and spices.

Notes

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

➢ Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand

➢ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn

➢ Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister

➢ Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941

➢ Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of people of more than 12 nationalities, speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select is a special edition whiskey crafted to honor Frank Sinatra’s fifty-year friendship with Jack Daniel’s. Frank was a fiercely loyal, lifetime fan of the brand, and Sinatra Select was designed to be both a classic expression of style and an homage to two American icons. This exclusive outpouring of the distiller’s craft is matured in proprietary oak barrels for a bold flavor, timeless character and exceptional smoothness. Sinatra Select will be available at high-end retail stores and major airports worldwide, debuting in Las Vegas and later spreading to destinations including New York, London, Sydney and Singapore.

The vessel designed for Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select is a taller, sleeker interpretation of the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey bottle, with a weighted base, an embossed metal shoulder label and a medallion featuring an icon of Frank’s familiar fedora.

Sinatra Select incorporates many of the brand’s defining elements, and adds new ones specific to this expression. The capsule features the Jack Daniel’s Country Club logo created by Frank to adorn a blazer he wore in the 1950s—a statement of his independent way of living.

Sinatra Select is packaged within a bespoke bottle made for this special edition product. The branded box incorporates a medallion with the Frank Sinatra fedora icon and orange ribbon. The color orange works as the perfect complement to Sinatra Select’s classic black color palette. Sinatra said that orange is the happiest color, and often used a bright orange pocket handkerchief to add some pop to his tailored suits and tuxedos. Inside is a special book that tells more about the story of Frank’s fifty-year relationship with Jack Daniel’s.

This super-premium offering from Jack Daniel’s celebrates a man who lived without hesitation or compromise. The result is a distinctive expression of style and grace, in keeping with the kindred spirit that it honors.

Design work credit to Cue at www.designcue.com

Read all about it;

THE LINK

They are not very verbose at the SFWC

AMERICAN WHISKIES FROM BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY NAMED 1ST AND 2ND BEST IN THE WORLD

Never before has any one distillery earned the top two honors!

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (Nov. 6, 2012) – Buffalo Trace Distillery has made history in the whiskey industry with not one, but two Whiskey of the Year Awards from esteemed whiskey reviewer Jim Murray. In the newly published 2013 Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible, the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named “2013 World Whiskey of the Year” and the William Larue Weller was named “Second Finest Whiskey in the World.”

The coveted number one and two spots were the result of Jim Murray tasting over 4,500 whiskies, in route to publishing his annual Whisky Bible. It is the first time in the book’s ten year history that both the number one and two whiskies in the world have come from the United States, much less the same distillery.

About the Thomas H. Handy, Murray says, “This is enormous….Once off the ground it just doesn’t stop traveling. Superb!” A 97.5 (out of 100) rating.

The praise doesn’t stop there; for the second place William Larue Weller, Murray says, “WOW! This is becoming a must experience whiskey for hardcore bourbon lovers. Well, whisk(e)y lovers period, really! Majestic! Or, as it’s American, perhaps I should say: Presidential.” Also a 97.5 (out of 100) rating.

In regards to deciding between the first and second place, with both whiskies earning the same score, Murray says, “This was a very tough call to make on which of the two deserved top billing. Although from the same distillery they are very different animals. The enormity of the Weller was so apparent…I knew from the very first taste that it stood every chance of being World Whisky of the Year.

“But it was eclipsed by the Thomas Handy Rye, even though they both scored the same number of points. The Rye edged it, by the smallest of fractions, simply because of its extraordinary life and balance on the palate and its uncanny ability to just keep working on full alert for the longest imaginable time. It took a couple of days to decide between the two, but the Handy could not be denied.”

In addition to the number one and number two finest whiskies in the world, Buffalo Trace Distillery also earned an astounding 35 additional awards from Jim Murray, including Bourbon of the Year for its William Larue Weller; Rye of the Year for its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye; Rye 11 Years or Older for its Sazerac 18 Years Old, and a host of Liquid Gold Awards, which are given only to those whiskies which score a “94” or higher, which is considered, “superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live,” according to Jim Murray.

Amongst those whiskies from Buffalo Trace Distillery that received Liquid Gold Awards were George T. Stagg; Buffalo Trace Bourbon; Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Years Old; Old Weller Antique 107 and Single Oak Project Barrels 63, 14, 132, 33, 61, 164, 191, 81 and 167.

“We were blown away when we heard the results from Jim,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller, “To have one ‘Best Whiskey in the World’ is wonderful. To have the number one and the number two spots is just amazing; we’re very proud of our team here at Buffalo Trace.”

The 2013 Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible can be purchased at the Buffalo Trace Distillery gift shop, among other places, or online at www.whiskybible.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

DEWAR’S^®: THE DRINKING MAN’S SCOTCH

World’s Most Awarded Scotch Challenges Category Conventions with Irreverent and Seductive

New Campaign for the Modern Man  

Launch Marks DEWAR’S Return to National Television after a Five Year Absence  

Coral Gables, Fla.  – DEWAR’S^® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most awarded Scotch and the number-one selling premium blended Scotch whisky in the United States, announces a break from the tired conventions of the category for the launch of its new campaign – “DEWAR’S: The Drinking Man’s Scotch.” The tweed and tradition that dominate Scotch whisky will be subverted to reintroduce DEWAR’S to a new generation of modern and urban men. Just as the Dewar family revolutionized the Scotch category when it launched the brand in 1846, the new DEWAR’S campaign will once again challenge the norm by bringing sensual taste intellectual stimulation and a hint of irreverence to the world of men in television, print and digital mediums nationwide.  The campaign, which will highlight DEWAR’S® WHITE LABEL® and DEWAR’S® 12 year old, is the first time that the brand will appear on television since 2007.

“The DEWAR’S campaign takes a never-before-seen approach,” says Arvind Krishnan, VP, Brand Managing Director, DEWAR’S Blended Scotch Whiskies. “It speaks to the personality and motivations of men, and challenges them to rethink their Scotch selection. It has intelligence and wit, bringing the brand back to the independent spirit with which it was created.” 

The new campaign is delivered with a wink and a smile. The icon, a beautiful, alluring and mysterious Scottish woman has the presence of a queen and the mouth of a gangster. She draws the viewer in from the moment she is seen, enticing men and pulling them into her clandestine world. She is incredibly desirable yet unattainable. She offers sharp words of wisdom to the DEWAR’S man – advice on living life, on drinking Scotch, on women and on being a man. She has a strong, commanding grip over the edgy, underground world of the East End of Glasgow, Scotland – a post-industrial landscape littered with intrigue, mystique and secrets – and exudes her power through her piercing attitude, cutting tongue and entrancing beauty. By displaying her strength in an edgy, yet inescapably striking way, the icon entrances men to follow her lead and step up to DEWAR’S Blended Scotch.

The gritty, industrial setting of Glasgow – the same place where DEWAR’S bottles its award-winning Scotch – brings a new identity to the brand. “The Drinking Man” doesn’t take life too seriously, but knows that his choice of Scotch is an important one. He is smooth and sociable, but with a sharp edge that carries him through his urban environment. Gone are the wood-paneled libraries, leather club chairs and cigar smoke: Glasgow is the home of DEWAR’S and the home of its cunning icon. While its image has evolved to reflect more modern times, the liquid has remained, and always will remain the same. DEWAR’S, the most awarded Scotch in the world, is renowned for its double barrel ageing process, unparalleled smoothness and character.

In the print campaign, stunning images of the icon are presented with her signature words of wisdom, such as “Serious is not always easy, but it comes with serious benefits” and “Speed is often the enemy of true pleasure.” Upon seeing these striking images and listening to the icon’s seductive words, the DEWAR’S man understands that he shouldn’t take life too seriously, just his choice of Scotch.

The DEWAR’S campaign will run in national and regional print publications, with the commercial airing on premium cable networks starting October 30, 2012. The campaign will also be available on www.dewars.com and www.facebook.com/dewars starting October 30, 2012.

About DEWAR’S^®

Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR’S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world.  Best known for its iconic DEWAR’S White Label, the top selling Blended Scotch Whisky in the USA, it has expanded its family to create a portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies including DEWAR’S 12 Years Old, DEWAR’S 18 Years Old & the exclusive DEWAR’S Signature. These whiskies are crafted using the DEWAR’S double barrel ageing process. Pioneered by DEWAR’S in 1899, it involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; a taste that wins medals and applause, making DEWAR’S the world’s most awarded Scotch. 

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDÍ^® rum, the world’s favorite and best-selling rum, as well as the world’s most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE^® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S^® Blended Scotch whisky, the number-one selling premium blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE^® gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin  in  the world; CAZADORES^® 100 percent blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico and a top-selling premium tequila in the United  States; MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth and the world’s favorite Italian sparkling wines ; and other leading and emerging brands. For additional information, visit www.bacardiusa.com.

BENRIACH RE-STARTS ITS OWN MALTINGS

BenRiach started making its own malt again this week which means the Elgin distillery is now one of only a handful of distilleries in Scotland with its own maltings.

Malt whisky production begins when the barley is “malted” — by steeping the barley in water, and then allowing it to get to the point of germination. Malting releases enzymes that break down starches in the grain and help convert them into sugars. When the desired state of germination is reached, the barley is dried using the traditional kiln floor.

BenRiach’s Stewart Buchanan explained: “For the last year we’ve been working hard to get the maltings back up and running. After being shut for the best part of thirteen years, the machinery is still in great condition.

“Earlier, we got some weight on the system to see how it would run under stress. Three tones of barley whirled round the floors and it was great to hear its blood pumping and the old place coming back to life.

“Re-starting the maltings has coincided with some strange events in the old distillery. As some of the boys worked late into the night painting around the steeps, footsteps and voices were heard over at the kiln area on the other side of the building. Thinking it was myself or Les, our engineer, they headed over for a blether…but found no-one! They thought we had left and went back to the job in hand. The second time they heard the noises they shouted over but no reply. And the third time, the paint brushes were dropped and a hasty exit was made! Perhaps it was the wind…or perhaps not!”

BenRiach MD Billy Walker said: “From a commercial point of view, it makes no sense because the costs of producing malted barley are significantly more. The reason we’re doing it is because we had everything in place and in fantastic condition. Bolting the maltings onto BenRiach is a beautiful join-up.”

Founded in 1898, BenRiach is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in the Speyside area of Scotland. Gaelic for “speckled mountain”, it’s operated independently by the BenRiach Distillery Company Limited which was formed by two South African funding partners, Geoff Bell and Wayne Keiswetter, and Scotch whisky expert Billy Walker. In 2008, the company expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of the GlenDronach distillery in Aberdeenshire.

Two pictures show the resumed maltings at BenRiach.

“Justin Vernon of Bon Iver called me and asked,
‘Hey Gordy, can a guitar be built from a whiskey barrel?’
My answer was, yes.
This is that guitar. Enjoy.”
– Gordy Bischoff, luthier

BON IVER’S JUSTIN VERNON TEAMS UP WITH HIS HOMETOWN LUTHIER GORDY BISCHOFF HANDCRAFTS A BARITONE GUITAR FROM BUSHMILLS™ IRISH WHISKEY BARRELS

GUITAR TO BE AUCTIONED TO BENEFIT THE CONFLUENCE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER IN EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN

October 2012: Justin Vernon, the Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter and frontman of Bon Iver, has teamed up with longtime friend and master luthier Gordy Bischoff (www.bischoffguitars.com) to develop ‘The 1608’ – a baritone guitar made with original white oak wood from BUSHMILLS™ Irish Whiskey barrels.

‘The 1608’ is Bon Iver’s collaborative release with Bushmills for ‘BUSHMILLS BROTHERS™ Since Way Back’: the initiative that celebrates the lives and close friendships of artists and creative talent across the world and collaborates with each to produce inspired content that reflects each of their passions.

A link to view and embed the official video premiering ‘The 1608’ can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNqp-AtDSqQ

From Monday, October 22 to Thursday, November 1, ‘The 1608’ will be available to take home via an online auction (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281003876062) to benefit The Confluence Community Arts Center: a community arts center in support of Vernon’s hometown community of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

“The goal is to put art back on the map in Eau Claire,” said Vernon. “Far too many artists from this area have had to leave because what we want to do with our lives just isn’t possible here. That’s what the Confluence Project is: to build a center that can be a nucleus for art here in Eau Claire.”

Vernon joined ‘Since Way Back’ in 2011 with brother Nate and close friends Kyle Frenette and Brian Joseph, all of whom form the backbone of Bon Iver as Co-Managers and Audio Engineer, and whose relationships define the ‘Since Way Back’ story of supporting family and friendship.

The guitar was revealed last week at a private event for friends and family of the band in Wisconsin. Eau Claire is home to one of the strongest and most diverse music scenes in the United States, and Vernon utilises his international notoriety to bring awareness and support to his Wisconsin community. From the initial idea to conception, everything ties back to his hometown.

The importance of supporting a community is parallel to the history of Bushmills; whiskey has been made in the Bushmills area since the original licence to distil was granted in 1608. Since the brand’s inception, BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey has a held belief in the power of timeless friendship and brotherhood.

“I was really happy to have this opportunity to work with Gordy on this collaboration,” said Vernon. “He’s an example of someone who’s stayed in Eau Claire and built an artisan career from the ground up. His guitars are not only world class, but from our area. I’ve known him for many years – he’s built a lot of guitars for us, it’s been a lot of fun to see what he came up with.”

Bischoff, a master luthier for 37 years, utilised a combination of his woodworking skills with moisture and heat to mould and soften the fibers to bend the wood into place, and develop the shape needed to create a guitar. This baritone guitar is made almost entirely out of the white oak wood from the whiskey barrels, with only a touch of additional wood added to the internal structure. The nine-pound guitar features two separate pickup systems, an acoustic transducer and two passive electric pickups, and features a neck made from hard rock maple and Ebony. The finishing touches tie the entire collaboration together, featuring BUSHMILLS bottle caps as the volume and tone control knobs, with a bit of BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey added to the guitar humidor in the case to enhance the aroma of the iconic brand.

“I first met Justin when he was in one of his early bands, Mt. Vernon,” said Bischoff. “After coming in for various setups and adjustments, he eventually ordered his first custom acoustic guitar from me – that guitar went on to be featured by Bon Iver in their Grammy-nominated song of the year, Holocene. I knew I was in for a test when I got a call from Justin and he said he had two questions for me: one, could I build a guitar from a whiskey barrel and two, was I interested. It was a ‘yes’ for both.”

Keep Up with Bushmills at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bushmills1608
Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

NOTES

About The Confluence Project
The Confluence Project is a public-private partnership to redevelop a blighted area at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers in the heart of the Eau Claire, WI, downtown district. The centerpiece of the project is the construction of a community arts center that meets a significant need for the local arts community. The Confluence Project combines philanthropy with private, state, county and city funds in a true collaboration. In addition to revitalizing prime real estate at the heart of the community, the Confluence Project builds upon existing competitive strengths, further establishes the distinctive artistic nature of the Chippewa Valley and strengthens the creative community as a viable economic development driver. For more information, head to www.eauclairearts.com/confluence.

About BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey
BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey is hand crafted in small batches for a smooth taste at Ireland’s oldest working distillery, in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The brand portfolio includes six award-winning whiskies: BUSHMILLS, BLACK BUSH™, BUSHMILLS 10 Year Old Single Malt, BUSHMILLS 16 Year Old Single Malt, BUSHMILLS 21 Year Old Single Malt and our anniversary edition, BUSHMILLS 1608. Whiskey has been made in the Bushmills area since 1608, when the original grant to distil

About Diageo
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Benromach Honoured With Top Award

Speyside’s smallest working distillery, Benromach, has scooped a top award at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition for its flagship Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Benromach 10 Years Old.

Now in its fourth year, The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition is a unique event and the first Asian wine and spirit competition in the world.

Run in partnership with the London-based International Wine & Spirit Competition it recognises quality in wine and spirits from across the globe.

This year judges from across Asia blind tasted over 1,800 different wine and spirits for awards in 45 different wine and spirit categories.

Benromach 10 Years Old won the trophy for the Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years and Under.

Commenting on the award, Michael Urquhart, Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach, said:

“This competition is highly regarded and provides consumers with the ultimate guide to purchasing wine and spirits available in this part of the world. Receiving this award will provide instant prestige for Benromach across the continent and around the globe.”

“Benromach is a small distillery, producing in one year what other distilleries can produce in a week. We’re thrilled to have been recognised in this competition, which is testament to the quality of the distillery and the two men who go the extra mile to handcraft the excellence of our flagship Benromach 10- year-old single malt whisky.”

Winning an award at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition is a great achievement as the competition puts integrity at the heart of the judging process. Tastings took place on 4-8 October 2012. For more information about Benromach Distillery and the Benromach range of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskies go to www.benromach.com

Notes

About Benromach
Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993. Drawing on generations of whisky expertise, the company carried out a painstaking refurbishment, and the distillery was officially re-opened by Prince Charles in 1998. Just two men hand-craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barely and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. They fill new spirit into the highest quality casks before being left to mature at the distillery for many years. The Benromach portfolio includes the award winning Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic. Please visit www.benromach.com for details.

For more information about the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition visit: http://www.asiasbestwinesandspirits.com/home