2013 IWSC Spirits winners revealed

The winners of the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) – Spirits have been revealed.

Image credit: Anthony Cullen

With the individual category winners now known the portfolio awards will be assessed on overall performance in the Competition as part of the spirits producer shortlist.

This year’s competition saw a 20% increase in entries for the gin category, which was eventually won by Adnams Copper House Distillery who also scooped five other medals, including Gold for their Spirit of Broadside, Eau de Vie – Beer.

Due to the quality and quantity of Bourbon entries this year, the judges took the decision to create the inaugural Bourbon Trophy; this new trophy was awarded to Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery for their Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon 10 YO Whiskey.

Another first was for Beam’s Pinnacle Vodka, a new entrant; the product was selected by judges to receive the Vodka Trophy for its “fresh impact” and “well extended, warm finish”.

For the second year in a row, the Pomace Brandy Trophy was won by the family owned Distilleria Marzadro Spa for their Grappa Le Diciotto Lune di Marzadro.

William Grant & Sons were awarded 3 of the major Scotch trophies putting them firmly on the shortlist for the International Spirits Producer of the Year.

All entries are first, blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary, by professional expert judges (by glass, not bottle) and then all products are sent for detailed (chemical and microbiological) analysis. This analysis is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.

The Spirits Producer shortlists have also been announced and the winners of each region will be revealed at the Annual Awards Banquet in November at The Guildhall in London, along with the Distiller of the Year Award.

All the trophy winners

Fruit Spirit Trophy – Goldhauch Alter Mirabellenbrand 6 Jahre Gelagert – Bimmerle KG

Sake Trophy – Ginjo Horai Dento Karakuchi 2011 – Watanabe Sake Brewing Co Ltd

Tequila Trophy – El Tesoro Tequila Reposado – Beam Inc

Cognac Trophy – Richelieu XO – Distell Ltd

Pomace Brandy Trophy – Grappa Le Diciotto Lune di Marzadro – Distilleria Marzadro Spa

Vodka Trophy – Pinnacle Unflavored Vodka – Beam Inc

Gin Trophy – Adnams Copper House Gin – Adnams Copper House Distillery

Worldwide Brandy Trophy – Asbach Private Brand 8 Jahre Gerdeift – Asbach GmbH

Rum Trophy – 8 Year Old El Dorado Rum – Demerara Distillers

Bourbon Trophy *NEW* – Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon 10 YO Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Liqueur Trophy – VVH Vodk Caramel Liquor – Rives Pitman

The Independence Trophy for Blended Scotch Whisky – William Grant 18 YO Scotch Whisky – William Grant & Sons Ltd

Worldwide Whiskey Trophy – Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask Strength Single Malt – Whisky King Car Food Industrial Company Ltd

Single Malt Scotch Whisky – No Age Stated Trophy – Glenmorangie Signet Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – The Glenmorangie Company

Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 15 Years & Under Trophy – Ben Nevis Single Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15YO – Ben Nevis Distillery (Fort William) Ltd

Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Over 15 Years Trophy – The Balvenie 40 YO Single Malt Speyside Scotch Whisky – William Grant & Sons Distillers Ltd

Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cask Strength Trophy – Glenfiddich 40 YO Single Malt Speyside Scotch Whisky – William Grant & Sons Distillers Ltd

Shochu Trophy – Arawaza Sakurajima 1 YO – Hombo Shuzo Co Ltd