Rewarding quality, celebrating excellence International Spirits Challenge 3 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Introduction challenge of the challenge Contents The organisation of the International Special Awards 4 / 26 Spirits Challenge is a challenge in itself – especially when, as this year, entries Whisk(e)y 6rum 28 exceed 1,050 across the 10 categories. The global reach of this competition 14 Design & Packaging 31 continues to broaden as emerging liqueurs 18 marketing 34 markets find their feet internationally and seek to gain a name for themselves 21 retailers 36 alongside the major regions. tequila 25 judges 38 Eastern Europe has started to make its presence felt and an increasing number of world producers are nudging better-known names, with an especially strong showing from Japan, whose Suntory has once again been named Distillery of the Year. Asian markets continue to excite producers outside their borders and the insistence in those countries on exacting quality is the kind of carrot that draws entrants to the International Spirits Challenge. And Asian players have their eyes on the west, too, with the likes of shochu and baijiu as consumers’ willingness to break out of their traditional comfort zones gains traction. The team of global experts tasked with judging this year’s showing were certainly under pressure, with a record number of entries to consider and the highest level ever of quality that saw no fewer than 24 trophies awarded – eight of those in vodka alone. As the spirits industry continues to innovate and evolve, this annual competition will only continue to be more challenging for producers and judges alike. But, in the end, that’s what it’s all about – discovering the best of the contact best and challenging everyone to step Supplement Editor Senior Account Manager Events Account Manager Drinks International up to an increasingly higher mark. Jaq Bayles Carmen Poel Francesch Rick Beaumont Zurich House, +44 (0)1293 590048 +44 (0)1293 590042 +44 (0)1293 558130 East Park, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Crawley, West Sussex Contributors Events Manager Publisher RH10 6AS Lucy Britner Sarah Stevens Justin Smith United Kingdom +44 (0)1293 590049 +44 (0)1293 590041 Tel: +44 (0)1293 590040 Art Editor [email protected] [email protected] Fax: +44 (0) 1293 474010 Amber Stoddart Events Co-ordinators Managing Director Commercial Manager Monica Tapias Russell Dodd Roger Betríu Nikayla Langley +44 (0)1293 590052 Jaq Bayles +44 (0)1293 590043 +44 (0)1293 590050/558131 supplement editor [email protected] [email protected] International Spirits Challenge 4 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Supreme Champion Spirit Individual Distillery of the Year Crème de Cassis de St Lucia Distillers

It’s been a bumper year for St Lucia Distillers one at Dennery, the site of the Barnard family Dijon Gabriel Boudier at the International Spirits Challenge, with plantation, and the other Geest-owned at the company taking five of the big awards. Roseau. Its Chairman’s Reserve Finest St Lucia That is now the location of St Lucia This is not the first year that a liqueur has The label for the Crème It is also an ingredient in many other Rum was a trophy winner, while there were Distillers, which was formed in 1972 when the won the International Spirits Challenge, but de Cassis de Dijon has cocktails, including the Vermouth-Cassis golds for 1931 – 2nd Edition, Admiral Rodney two distilleries amalgamated, producing a in testament to its improvement in quality, remained unchanged – a mix of a quarter of Crème de Cassis de and Chairman’s Reserve Spiced – not bad for now-discontinued blend of rum, the name of Crème de Cassis de Dijon Gabriel Boudier since 1874 Dijon to three-quarters of Vermouth. The a small distillery in a Caribbean island valley. which reflected the merger – Denros Bounty has gone from gold last year to Supreme cocktail can be diluted with Seltz water or The company describes itself as being Rum. Champion this year. fizzy water. committed to innovation and quality, with The Barnard family bought out the Geest It prevailed from a field of 950 entries Gabriel Boudier, which has a wide portfolio a passionate team of distillers, blenders, shares in 1992 and in 1997 it sold shares to and 24 trophy winners to scoop the ultimate of liqueurs to its name, prides itself on using engineers, technicians and administrative Trinidad-based Angostura. title, with the judges describing it as having traditional manufacturing processes “drawn staff working together “to produce some of This move gave the company a wider a “deep and blackcurranty nose” and being from its ancestral tradition” and which are the world’s best rums and rum products”. regional presence and the capital to pursue “highly concentrated, excellent”. “respectful of the fruit from which it extracts It also prides itself on a commitment to its product development philosophy. This Supreme Champion win is a real coup all the aromas and flavours”. product development and its range includes In 2005, the Barnard family, which had for Gabriel Boudier, which claims to be the only The company’s brands are available in more than 25 products, from premium rums been planters and rum distillers for more major independent Cassis de Dijon company 68 countries and it is focused on creating and liqueurs to traditional pouring rums. than a century, sold to CLICO, with third- and has always made a point of keeping the new products that fire the imagination of St Lucia Distillers emerged from a tradition generation rum-maker Laurie Barnard original label created in 1874 for the liqueur. bartenders and consumers alike. of the on-site, house-special rum production staying on as managing director. The Crème de Cassis de Dijon is said to Recent innovations have included the likes St Lucia Distillers is set in that was a common feature of the West The company maintains a commitment provide the ideal base for a Vin Blanc Cassis of Saffron gin and the Bartenders’ Range of the fertile Roseau valley Indian sugar plantation. to environmental responsibility, undertaking – a favourite aperitif in France. liqueurs. By the late 1950s, two distilleries remained, several ‘green’ projects.

Distiller of the year Outstanding Contribution Suntory Barry Crockett

Taking the Distiller of the Year award for the The Hakushu distillery After an impressive 47 years, of the Single range, Midleton Barry second year running, Japan’s Suntory once was built in 1973 Barry Crockett retired in March 2013 following Crockett Legacy, which marked the first time again proves its power when it comes to an illustrious career with . since John Jameson that an Irish Distillers’ producing of international merit. Born in the distiller’s cottage that sits on whiskey had been named after a master Last year its gold medal haul totalled six – the grounds of the Old Midleton Distillery, distiller. this year the Yamazaki distillery has outdone Crockett was immersed in the world of craft While he will no longer be involved in itself, taking a world whiskies trophy along whiskey distilling from an early age. production, Crockett will remain a much- with three gold best in class awards and five At 17, he began learning his craft as an loved member of the team and will be taking golds. apprentice to his father and former Midleton on a new role with the company in its newly- It was in 2003 that Suntory first came master distiller Max Crockett, eventually launched Archive, based at the to the ISC’s attention with its gold-winning succeeding him as master distiller in 1981. old distillery in Midleton. Yamazaki 12 Year Old and it has been a During his time as master distiller, Crockett Commenting on his retirement, Crockett fixture of the competition ever since. played a significant role in the growth of the said: “Midleton Distillery may correctly be This year’s winning whiskies were: Irish whiskey category, highlighted by the described as important in the industrial history (trophy) Hibiki Blended Whisky Aged 21 Yamazaki Single 18 Years Old. were distinct from those coming out of unprecedented success of Irish Distillers’ of – it is unique in the context of Irish Years, Hibiki Blended Whisky Aged 17 Years, The distillery at Yamazaki is Japan’s Yamazaki. Hakushu is known as the Forest flagship brand, Jameson. distilling. Its success is a direct consequence Hibiki Blended Whisky Aged 12 Years, The oldest, having been established in 1923, and Distillery and is at a site known for the In 1984, Crockett developed the award- of an ongoing openness to innovation and Hakushu 25 Years Old, the fact that it sits where three rivers meet pristine waters of the Ojira River, which has winning prestige blend , development. I am fortunate to have been The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 18 Years is generally credited with creating the damp been designated one of the highest-quality before unveiling Irish Distillers’ new Single part of the progress from an early age. The Old, The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky atmosphere that works so well for cask water sources in the country. pot still range, the Single Pot Still Whiskeys lessons learnt from so many committed Heavily Peated 2012, The Yamazaki Single ageing. The company has set up several initiatives of Midleton in 2011. people were vital in providing the foundation Crockett: new role with the Malt Whisky Mizunara 2012, The Yamazaki The company built its second distillery, to ensure it coexists in harmony with the Crockett was honoured by the company essential to an appreciation of the necessity Midleton Whiskey Archive Single Malt Whisky Puncheon 2012, and The Hakushu, in 1973 to produce whiskies which natural surroundings. the same year with the release of the pinnacle to adopt ongoing technical advances.” International Spirits Challenge 6 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class Gold Best in class Ardbeg Highland Tesco Finest The Uigeadail Single Malt – 12 Year Old Glenlivet 18 Glenmorangie Company Aged 12 Years Blended Year Old Marks & Spencer Scotch Chivas Brothers TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY Whyte & Mackay Glenmorangie The Famous Kingdom 30 18 Year Old Signet Grouse Years Old Chivas Brothers Glenmorangie Company 40 Year Old Hitejinro Blended Malt Edrington Group Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class Gold Best in class Black Bull Jura The Balvenie Waitrose Special Prophecy Thirty 8 Year Old Reserve No.2 Whyte & Mackay William Grant & Sons Blended Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Scotch Waitrose

Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class GOLD Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured Chivas Brothers Grant’s Aged Lagavulin 16 Ardbeg Corryvreckan Glenmorangie Company 18 Years Ardbeg Galileo Glenmorangie Company William Grant & Sons Balblair Highland 1997 Vintage International Beverage Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Chivas Brothers Ballantine’s 30 Year Old Chivas Brothers Ballantine’s Finest Chivas Brothers Ben Nevis Black & White Diageo TASTING NOTE: Rich, full aroma. TASTING NOTE: Rich aroma of TASTING NOTE: TASTING NOTE: Oily, resin, rich winey, Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old Burn Stewart Distillers Soft, easy palate yet complex. Great mocha and almond biscotti. Flavours Wow! Rich, spicy, mature aroma fragrant (lavender), sweet, floral. On Bunnahabhain 25Year Old Burn Stewart Distillers top notes of mature oak. Long, rich, of chocolate, coffee, orange and – ketonic, oak, fruit, cumin. Long, the palate, plum & vanilla. Long, rich Aged 18 Years Blended Scotch Edrington Group medium-sweet finish spices luscious finish and satisfying Cutty Sark Tam O’Shanter Edition 25 Years Old Edrington Group Dalmore 25 Year Old Whyte & Mackay Trophy Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class Gold/Best in class Exclusive Whyte & Mackay Invergordon 50th Anniversary single Grain 40 Year Old Grant’s Ale Master of Glen Crinan 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Edrington Group Whyte & 12 Year Old William Grant & Sons Mackay Whyte & Cask Finish Malt 40 Year Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition William Grant & Sons Mackay William Grant & Sons Old Speyside Glenfiddich 18 Year Old William Grant & Sons Whyte & Mackay (2nd Edition) Glenfiddich 30 Year Old William Grant & Sons Master of Malt Glenfiddich 40 Year Old William Grant & Sons Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask Reserve William Grant & Sons Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish William Grant & Sons TASTING NOTE: Rich Glenfiddich Ultimate 38 Year Old William Grant & Sons coconut, vanilla on the nose. Glenmorangie Artein Glenmorangie Company Complex, aromatic, nutmeg, Glenmorangie Ealanta Glenmorangie Company butterscotch palate. Very Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or Glenmorangie Company long sweet finish Grant’s 25 Year Old William Grant & Sons International Spirits Challenge 8 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

GOLD Silver Silver Silver Grant’s Aged 12 Years William Grant & Sons anCnoc Highland Single Malt 22 Year Old International Beverage Glenfiddich Malt Master William Grant & Sons Old Pulteney Highland Single Malt Aged 17 Years International Beverage Highland Black 8 Year Old Scotch Aldi UK Ardbeg Blasda Glenmorangie Company Glenfiddich Rich Oak William Grant & Sons Old Pulteney WK217 Highland Single Malt International Beverage Hoebeg Robert Graham Ardbeg Ten Glenmorangie Company Glengoyne 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Ian Macleod Distillers Peat Chimney 12 Year Old Wemyss Vintage Malts James King Blended Scotch (15 Year Old) Quality Spirits International Balblair Highland Single Malt 1975 Vintage International Beverage Glengoyne 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Ian Macleod Distillers Queen Margot 3 Year Blended Scotch Whisky (QSI) Lidl UK James King Blended Scotch (5 Year Old) Quality Spirits International Balblair Highland Single Malt 1989 Vintage International Beverage Glengoyne 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Ian Macleod Distillers Queen Margot 3 Year Blended Scotch Whisky (W&M)Lidl UK John Walker & Sons Odyssey Diageo Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers Glengoyne 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Ian Macleod Distillers Queen Margot 8 Year Blended Scotch Whisky (QSI) Lidl UK Blue Label Diageo Ballantine’s 21 Year Old Chivas Brothers Glengoyne 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Ian Macleod Distillers Queen Margot 8 Year Blended Scotch Whisky (W&M)Lidl UK Johnnie Walker Double Black Diageo Ballantine’s Limited Chivas Brothers Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Ian Macleod Distillers Scapa 16 Year Old Chivas Brothers Johnnie Walker Red Label Diageo Bell’s Diageo Glengoyne Single Malt Marks & Spencer Scottish Collie Blended Scotch Whisky Quality Spirits International Kingdom 17 Years old Hitejinro Ben Bracken 12 Year Lidl UK Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Glenmorangie Company Scottish Leader Burn Stewart Distillers Laphroaig Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Beam Benromach 10 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Glenmorangie 25 Year Old Glenmorangie Company Scottish Leader Original Burn Stewart Distillers Laphroaig Quarter Cask Islay Single Malt Beam Black Bottle Burn Stewart Distillers Glenmorangie Original Glenmorangie Company Scottish Leader Supreme Burn Stewart Distillers Master of Malt 30 Year Old Speyside (5th Edition) Master of Malt Buchanan Deluxe Diageo Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Glenmorangie Company Shieldaig Booker McKendrick’s Blended Scotch Quality Spirits International Buchanan’s Master Diageo Glenturret 10 Year Old Single Malt The Edrington Group The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old Diageo Monkey Shoulder William Grant & Sons Buchanan’s Red Seal Diageo Grant’s Distillery Edition William Grant & Sons The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 Year Old Diageo Royal Salute 21 Year Old Chivas Brothers Buchanan’s Special Reserve Diageo Grant’s Sherry Cask Finish William Grant & Sons The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Diageo Royal Salute The Hundred Cask Selection Chivas Brothers Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Burn Stewart Distillers Haddington House Blended Scotch Whisky Quality Spirits International Sir Edward’s Bardinet Spey River Speyside Single Malt 8 Years Matured Quality Spirits International Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona Burn Stewart Distillers Haig Supreme Diageo Smokin Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Talisker 10 Diageo Bunnahabhain Darach Ur Burn Stewart Distillers Hankey Bannister 40 Year Old Blended Scotch International Beverage Something Special Chivas Brothers Talisker Distillers Edition Diageo Bunnahabhain Toiteach Burn Stewart Distillers Hankey Bannister Original Blended Scotch International Beverage Spey River Speyside Single Malt 12 Years Matured Quality Spirits International Tesco Speyside Malt Whyte & Mackay Cao Ila 12 Year Old Diageo Highland Bird Blended Scotch Whisky Quality Spirits International Speyburn Highland Single Malt Aged 10 Years International Beverage The Balvenie Caribbean Cask William Grant & Sons Cardhu 12 Year Old Diageo Highland Earl Scotch Whisky Aldi UK Speyburn Highland Single Malt Aged 25 Years International Beverage The Balvenie Forty William Grant & Sons Cardhu Special Cask Reserve Diageo Highland Reserve Blended Malt Aged 12 Years Quality Spirits International Strathisla 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers The Balvenie Single Barrel 12 Year Old William Grant & Sons Catto’s Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years International Beverage Highland Reserve Blended Scotch Quality Spirits International Tesco Highland Malt Whyte & Mackay The Balvenie TUN 1401 Batch 5 William Grant & Sons Catto’s Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 25 Years International Beverage Highland Reserve Blended Scotch Aged 12 Years Quality Spirits International Tesco Islay Malt Whyte & Mackay The Black Grouse – Alpha Edition Edrington Group Catto’s Rare Old Scottish Blended Scotch Whisky International Beverage Islay Single Malt Aged 12 Years Marks & Spencer Tesco Special Reserve Whyte & Mackay The Dalmore Ceti Whyte & Mackay Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers J&B Rare Diageo The Balvenie Doublewood William Grant & Sons The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Chivas Brothers Clan Gold 15 Year Old Brilliant Star International James King Blended Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old Quality Spirits International The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old William Grant & Sons The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Chivas Brothers Clan Gold 18 Year Old Brilliant Star International James King Blended Scotch Whisky 21 Year Old Quality Spirits International The Balvenie Portwood 21 Year Old William Grant & Sons The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Archive Chivas Brothers Clan Gold Standard Brilliant Star International James King Blended Scotch Whisky 3 Year Old Quality Spirits International The Black Grouse The Edrington Group The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve Chivas Brothers Clan MacGregor William Grant & Sons James King Blended Scotch Whisky 8 Year Old Quality Spirits International The Charles House Blended Scotch Whisky Quality Spirits International The Glenlivet Nàdurra 16 Year Old Cask Strength Chivas Brothers Co-op 12 Year Old Single Malt Whyte & Mackay Johnnie Walker Black Label Diageo The Dalmore Cigar Reserve Whyte & Mackay The Glenlivet XXV Chivas Brothers Co-op Finest Whyte & Mackay Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Diageo The Dalmore King Alexander III Whyte & Mackay The Grangestone Highland Single Malt 12 Year Old Quality Spirits International Co-op Premium 5 Year Old Blend Whyte & Mackay Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Diageo The Dalmore Limited Release Highland Single Malt Whyte & Mackay The Naked Grouse The Edrington Group Cutty Sark Aged 12 Years Blended Scotch Edrington Group Exclusive Whyte & Mackay The Glenlivet Excellence Chivas Brothers The Royal & Ancient Cockburn & Campbell Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Edrington Group Jura Superstition Whyte & Mackay The Grangestone Highland Single Malt 18 Year Old Quality Spirits International VAT69 Diageo Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition Edrington Group Jura Vintage 1973 Whyte & Mackay The Grangestone Highland Single Malt 21 Year Old Quality Spirits International Whyte and Mackay 19 Year Old Whyte & Mackay Cutty Sark Storm Edrington Group Jura Vintage 1977 Whyte & Mackay The Macallan Gold Edrington Group Whyte and Mackay 30 Year Old Whyte & Mackay Dancing Stag Mortlach 1996 Robert Graham Kenmore Burn Stewart Distillers The Maltman 46% Meadowside Blending Windsor XR Diageo Deanston 12yrs Burn Stewart Distillers Kenmore Whisky Marks & Spencer The Maltman 50.3% Meadowside Blending Deanston Virgin Oak Burn Stewart Distillers King Arthur 12 Year Old Rusimport Tobermory 10 Year Old Burn Stewart Distillers Silver Dewar’s 12 Year Old John Dewar & Sons Kingdom 12 Year Old Hitejinro Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet Aged 21 Years Angus Dundee Distillers The Spice Tree (Vatted Malt) BEST IN CLASS Marks & Spencer Dewar’s 18 Year Old John Dewar & Sons Kingdom 21 Year Old Hitejinro Waitrose Blend Whyte & Mackay 10 Year Old Jura Whyte & Mackay Dewar’s John Dewar & Sons Label 5 La Martiniquaise White Horse Diageo 13 Year Old Whyte and Mackay Whyte & Mackay Dewar’s White Label John Dewar & Sons Label 5 – 12 Year Old La Martiniquaise Whyte & Mackay Special Whyte & Mackay 15 Year Old Dalmore Whyte & Mackay Dimple 15 Year Old Diageo Lagavulin Distillers Edition Diageo William Lawson’s Finest Blend John Dewar & Sons 16 Year Old Jura Whyte & Mackay Fettercairn Fior Whyte & Mackay Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Beam Windsor 12 Year Old Diageo 21 Year Old Jura Whyte & Mackay Finest Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky Quality Spirits International Laphroaig 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Beam Windsor 17 Year Old Diageo 22 Year Old Whyte and Mackay Whyte & Mackay Glen Clyde Whisky 12 Year Old Whitehall – Center Laphroaig Triple Wood Islay Single Malt Beam Windsor 21 Year Old Diageo 30 Year Old Jura Whyte & Mackay Glen Clyde Whisky 3 Year Old Whitehall – Center Ledaig 10 Year Old Burn Stewart Distillers Aberfeldy 12 Year Old John Dewar & Sons Glen Crinan Finest Blended Scotch Edrington Group Lochlan Whyte & Mackay Bronze Aberfeldy 21 Year Old John Dewar & Sons Glen Crinan Pure Highland Malt Edrington Group Longmorn 16 Year Old Chivas Brothers 18 Year Old Dalmore Whyte & Mackay Aberlour 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Matured Chivas Brothers Glen Orchy 8 Year Blended Malt Lidl UK Lord Elcho 15 Year Old Wemyss Vintage Malts Glen Orrin Malt Whisky Aldi UK Aberlour 15 Year Old Double Cask Matured Chivas Brothers Glenfarclas 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt J&G Grant Mackinlay’s The Journey Blended Malt Whyte & Mackay Grant’s Family Reserve William Grant & Sons Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured Chivas Brothers Glenfiddich 15 Year Old William Grant & Sons Master of Malt 50 Year Old Speyside (3rd Edition) Master of Malt Jacobite Booker Aberlour 18 Year Old Chivas Brothers Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition William Grant & Sons Old Ballantruan Aged 10 Years Angus Dundee Distillers The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old Diageo Aberlour A’Bunadh (Batch 30) Chivas Brothers Glenfiddich 21 Year Old William Grant & Sons Old Parr De Luxe Diageo The Glenrothes Vintage 1995 Berry Bros & Rudd anCnoc Highland Single Malt 16 Year Old International Beverage Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Cask Finish William Grant & Sons Old Pulteney Flotilla Highland Single Malt International Beverage Tobermory 15 Year Old Burn Stewart Distillers International Spirits Challenge 10 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

GOLD/Best in class The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 25 Years Old World whiskies Suntory TROPHY TROPHY GOLD/Best in class Hibiki Knob Creek Jameson Gold Reserve Blended Irish Distillers Whisky Aged Beam 21 Years GOLD/Best in class Suntory Liquors The Irishman 12 Year Old GOLD/Best in class Single Malt Whiskey Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak The Irishman Single Malt Whisky King Car

GOLD/Best in class The Yamazaki Single Malt GOLD Best in class Whisky 18 Years Old Suntory Liquors Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve beam

TASTING NOTE: Rich, full aroma, oak GOLD/Best in class and soft fruits. Good balance and TASTING NOTE: Very floral, good texture. Long, rich finish depth of oak, long rich finish Three Ships Premium Select 5 Year Old GOLD/Best in class GOLD/Best in class Distell

Bain’s Cape Mountain Midleton Barry Crockett Whisky Legacy Distell Irish Distillers GOLD/Best in class Nikka From The Barrel Asahi Breweries GOLD/Best in class Dew Irish Whiskey William Grant & Sons

GOLD/Best in class GOLD/Best in class Hibiki Blended Whisky Aged Midleton Very Rare

17 Years Irish Distillers Suntory Liquors GOLD/Best in class GOLD/Best in class Single Malt Miyagikyo 12 Wild Turkey 81 Years Old Catalyst Brands Asahi Breweries International Spirits Challenge 12 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Silver Kavalan Podium Single Malt King Car Kavalan Sherry Single Malt King Car Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Malt King Car Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength King Car Kavalan Solist Sherry Single Malt King Car Kavalan Solist Vinho Single Cask Strength King Car Kilbeggan Beam Gold King Car Conductor Single Malt King Car Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Diageo Knights Distell Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Diageo Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Beam Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey Diageo Paul John Cask 164 John Distilleries Canadian Club 1858 Beam Penderyn Single Malt The Welsh Whisky Co Early Times 354 Bourbon Brown-Forman Gold Label Irish Distillers Gibsons Finest 18 Year Old William Grant & Sons Powers Gold Label 12 Year Old Irish Distillers Hibiki Japanese Blended Whisky Aged 12 Years Suntory Liquors 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Distillers Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve Irish Distillers Signature Premier Kavalan Single Malt Whisky King Car Signature Rare Aged Whisky United Spirits Kilbeggan 18 Beam Single Malt Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Asahi Breweries Midleton Single Cask (1991 Cask Number 48750) Irish Distillers Single Malt Miyagikyo 15 Year Old Asahi Breweries Nikka Blended Whisky Asahi Breweries Single Malt Yoichi 10 Asahi Breweries Nikka Coffey Grain Asahi Breweries Single Malt Yoichi 12 Asahi Breweries Nikka Tsuru 17 Years Old Asahi Breweries Single Malt Yoichi 15 Asahi Breweries Old Forester 86 Proof Brown-Forman Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn – Seven Stars No1 Backafallsbyn of Hven Old Forester Signature Brown-Forman Super Nikka Asahi Breweries Powers John’s Lane Release Irish Distillers Taketsuru Pure Malt 12 Year Old Asahi Breweries Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Distillers Taketsuru Pure Malt 17 Year Old Asahi Breweries Redbreast 15 Year Old Irish Distillers Taketsuru Pure Malt 21 Year Old Asahi Breweries Single Malt Miyagikyo Asahi Breweries Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 Year Old Asahi Breweries The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 18 Year Old Suntory Liquors Taughannock Bourbon Rusimport The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Heavily Peated 2012 Suntory Liquors Teeling Whiskey Teeling Whiskey Co The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Mizunara 2012 Suntory Liquors The Hakushu Single Malt Suntory Liquors The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Puncheon 2012 Suntory Liquors The Hakushu Single Malt 12 Year Old Suntory Liquors Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish Distell The Hakushu Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 Suntory Liquors Yellow Spot Irish Distillers The Irish Fiddler Irish Whiskey The Irish Fiddler Whiskey Co The Yamazaki Single Malt Suntory Liquors Silver The Yamazaki Single Malt 12 Year Old Suntory Liquors Asda Blended Bourbon Toorank (UK) The Yamazaki Single Malt Bourbon Barrel 2012 Suntory Liquors Black Nikka 8 Years Old Asahi Breweries The Yamazaki Single Malt Heavily Peated 2013 Suntory Liquors Breckenridge Bourbon Breckenridge Distillery The Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2012 Suntory Liquors Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Diageo Three Ships Select Distell Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey Diageo 10 Year Old Single Malt William Grant & Sons Canadian Club Classic 12 Beam Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Special Reserve William Grant & Sons Canadian Club Sherry Cask Beam Single Malt Beam Canadian Mist Brown Forman Western Gold Lidl UK Clarke’s Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Aldi UK Wild Turkey 101 Catalyst Brands Collingwood Brown Forman Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Brown-Forman Connemara Beam Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Brown-Forman Dead Guy Whiskey Rogue Spirits Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Four Wood Brown-Forman Gibsons Finest 12 Year Old William Grant & Sons Gibsons Finest Sterling William Grant & Sons Bronze Irish Distillers Blue Ultra United Spirits Greenore Single Grain Beam Hudson Baby Bourbon William Grant & Sons Hogs Bourbon 3 Quality Spirits International Kavalan ConcertMaster Single Malt King Car Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey William Grant & Sons Mackmyra Special:10 Kaffegok Mackmyra Svensk Whisky Irish Distillers Orbis Aged World Whiskey St James Distillery Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch Irish Distillers Oregon Single Malt Whiskey Rogue Spirits Jameson Signature Reserve Irish Distillers Single Malt Yoichi 20 Asahi Breweries Japanese Blended Whisky Kakubin Suntory Liquors Whisky Black Ram Vinprom Peshtera International Spirits Challenge 14 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Vodka TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY TROPHY Belvedere Belvedere Pure Green Saimaa Skyy Vodka Stoli Salted Svayak Vodka Nast- Black Vodka Organic Vodka Catalyst Brands Karamel JSC Minsk Grape Wine Factory oyaschaya Raspberry Moët Hennessy Vodka Saimaa Beverages SPI Spirits Cyprus Platinovaya Moët Hennessy Pure Green Pervaya Vodochnaya Company

TASTING NOTE: Good flavour, TASTING NOTE: Clean, neutral, good TASTING NOTE: Soft, inviting, clean, impactful, still good on dilution. Good TASTING NOTE: Complex, well TASTING NOTE: Creaminess with TASTING NOTE: Hint of berries, balance on dilution, very smooth on well balanced. Some delicate cream TASTING NOTE: Elegant, glides down TASTING NOTE: Clean, good balance, balance, nice sweetness, no burn structured and good length. hints of aniseed, integrated, dryness better than nose, long-lasting finish taste, some bite but well balanced and caramel notes the palate, fresh waves some sweetness on dilution, smooth from spice, very good Interesting begins to emerge with pepper

Gold Gold Gold Gold Eristoff Finlandia Mango Raspberry Vodka Svetlaya Golova bacardi Brown-Forman Marks & Spencer Zolotaya Premium Rusimport

TASTING NOTE: TASTING NOTE: TASTING NOTE: TASTING NOTE: Fresh aniseed aroma, creamy, opens up with subtle sweetness. Tropical fruits, mango dominating. Some berries, some sweet elements. Rich, punchy, raspberry notes. Jammy-like, nice aroma, good examples of Floral aroma, well balanced. Clean Nicely composed and balanced Real vodka raspberry, good structure and taste, no aggressive alcohol kick characteristics, evolving into buttered bread. Soft and clean International Spirits Challenge 16 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Silver Silver Alaska Vodka Vinprom Peshtera New Amsterdam Vodka E&J Gallo Winery Amundsen Stock Spirits Group Orzel Stock Spirits Group Asda Vodka Asda Poliakov La Martiniquaise Belvedere Citrus Moët Hennessy Prestige Stock Spirits Group Belvedere Unfiltered Moët Hennessy PUR Vodka PUR Vodka Blue 42 Vodka Old St Andrews Pure Star Vodka G&J Greenall Bozkov Stock Spirits Group Putinoff Premium Vodka Lidl UK Bulbash Nano Bulbash Zavod Quay Vodka Bravado Imports Davna Bizon Marblehead Brand Development Rurikovich. Russkiy Vyzov. Serebryanaya Rusimport Davna Czeri Marblehead Brand Development Russian Diamond Russian Spirit Group Finlandia Grapefruit Brown-Forman Serebryanyi Zamok Russian Spirit Group Finlandia Tangerine Brown-Forman Spar Imperial Vodka G&J Greenall Finlandia Vodka Brown-Forman Stalinskaya Prodal’94 Green Mark Traditional Russian Recipe CEDC Stoli Chocolat Kokonut SPI ID Black Onyx Al Ahram Beverages Svensk Vodka Lake Vattern Svensk Export Vodka Imperial Collection Gold Ladoga Group Tamova Premium Vodka Aldi Jewish Standard Whitehall Tamova Vodka Aldi Kalinka Classik Russian Spirit Group Tovaritch! Russian Vodka Tovaritch Spirits International Kalinka Export Russian Spirit Group U’Luvka Vodka U’Luvka Kalinka Gzel Russian Spirit Group Viche Pitia N.30 Lemon on milk Maison de la Vodka Kalinka Khohloma Russian Spirit Group Vikingfjord Vodka Arcus Karavan Groupe Grands Chais de France Vodka Nastoyaschaya Original Naya Pervaya Vodochnaya Company Katla Vodka 64° Reykjavik Distillery Little Black Dress Vodka: Classic Brown-Forman Bronze Lubelska Stock Spirits Group 1906 Stock Spirits Group Mainstay Premium Cane Distell Arbatskaya Elite IRW Mamont Vodka Marussia Beverages Citrus Vodka Marks & Spencer Flirt Vodka Vinprom Peshtera Orkisz Stock Spirits Group Rurikivich Knyaz Yroslav Mudry Hlebnaya Rusimport Rurikovich Russkiy Vyzov Rusimport Svarog Vodka Badel 1862 Toffee Vodka Marks & Spencer Tovaritch! Russian Vodka Tovaritch Spirits International Zoladkowa Cyzsta de Luxe Stock Spirits Group Zubr Stock Spirits Group Other white spirits No gold medals awarded Silver Aalborg Taffel Akvavit Arcus Gammel Opland Arcus Little Black Dress Vodka: Black Cherry Vanilla Brown-Forman Little Black Dress Vodka: Pineapple Honey Brown-Forman Lysholm Linie Arcus

Bronze Aalborg Jubilaums Akvavit Arcus Arvesølvet Det Norske Brenneri Arvesølvet Helt Klart Det Norske Brenneri Byejoe Red Byejoe US Little Black Dress Vodka: Blueberry Pomegranate Brown-Forman Moutai Camus Cognac Oscar’s Peach Schnapps Aldi UK TWC Poitin Teeling Whiskey Co International Spirits Challenge 18 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Bronze Amaretto Bellucci Aldi UK Amarula Cream Distell Amundsen Lime & Mint Stock Spirits Group Amundsen Peach Stock Spirits Group Liqueurs Aperitivo Cocchi Americano Rosa Giulio Cocchi Spumanti Aperol Catalyst Brands Armilar Amaretto Lidl UK TROPHY TROPHY Gold Asda Aurante Orange Liqueur Toorank (UK) Crème de Supercassis Cassis de Asda Caribbean White Rum (with Coconut) Toorank (UK) Carvo Caramel Vodka Infusion Thirsty Now Beverages Cassis de Crème de Dijon Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur Brown-Forman Dijon Gabriel Cassis Marks & Spencer Cherry Brandy Marks & Spencer Vedrenne Cocobay White Rum Aldi UK Boudier Courailleuse Distillerie Fils Du Roy Emporia Brands Crème de Framboise Vedrenne Deep South Toorank (UK) Drambuie 15 The Drambuie Liqueur Co TASTING NOTE: Light medicinal note, great vibrancy, good fruit, length on palate, has a pure fruit ElderflowerL iqueur Marks & Spencer character Fratello Francoli Illyquore Catalyst Brands Gold Irish Cream Marks & Spencer Jaan Jaan Inc Glayva Joseph Cartron – Cassis Joseph Cartron Whyte & Mackay Joseph Cartron – Mure Joseph Cartron Kuber-Maister Thirsty Now Beverages La Mosca Catalyst Brands Larusse Bleue Larusse Licor 43 Zamora International Liqueur de Paris Vedrenne TASTING NOTE: Merlet C2 Cognac & Cassis Distillerie Merlet & Fils Nutmeg, spices, very aromatic on palate. Sweet, Merlet C2 Cognac & Citron Distillerie Merlet & Fils rich, lots of spice. Christmas feel to it. Well made Merlet Crème de Mure Distillerie Merlet & Fils Gold Merrys Irish Cream Liqueur Robert A Merry & Co Mozart Gold Chocolate Cream Mozart Distillerie Limonce Mozart White Chocolate Cream Mozart Distillerie Stock Spirits Group O’Casey’s First Ireland Spirits Olmeca Fusión Coffee Chivas Brothers Olmeca Fusión Dark Chocolate Chivas Brothers Orange & Brandy Liqueur Marks & Spencer Oude Meester Ginger Distell Oude Meester Peppermint Distell Serenade Cherry Liqueur Lidl UK Silver St Rémy a la Crème Rémy Cointreau Antica Sambuca Classic Antiche Distillerie Riunite TASTING NOTE: Lemony nose, intense and stimulating, naturalistic in character, Taste the Difference Irish Cream Liqueur Niche Drinks Co subtle flavours and polite alcohol Breckenridge Bitters Breckenridge Distillery Tekirdag Rakisi Mey Icka Sanayi ve Ticaret Crème de Cassis Bio Organic Vedrenne Tesco Finest Irish Cream Liqueur Niche Drinks Co Gold Drambuie The Drambuie Liqueur Co Tesco Finest Blue Curacao Emporia Brands Dunkeld Atholl Brose Gordon & MacPhail Tesco Finest Cherry Brandy Emporia Brands Merlet Crème de Cassis Elderflower Liqueur Fleur de Sureau Vedrenne Distillerie Merlet & Fils Tesco Finest Crème de Cassis de Dijon Emporia Brands Jungfrau Krauter Likor Global Brands Le Favori Groupe Grands Chais de France Tesco Finest Crème de Menthe Emporia Brands Master of Malt 40 Yr Speyside Whisky Liqueur Master of Malt Tesco Irish Country Cream Niche Drinks Co Merlet Crème de Framboise Distillerie Merlet & Fils Thario Distillerie Fils Du Roy Merrys White Chocolate Robert A Merry & Co The King’s Ginger Berry Bros & Rudd Mozart Black Dark Chocolate Mozart Distillerie Toffee and Pecan Cream Marks & Spencer TASTING NOTE: Vibrant fruits, slight Sloe Gin Marks & Spencer Volare Triple Sec Antiche Distillerie Riunite TASTING NOTE: Deep and dusty earthy aroma on palate. Big, Solerno William Grant & Sons Yeni Raki Mey Icka Sanayi ve Ticaret blackcurranty nose, highly powerful fruits. Some good freshness, TASTING NOTE: Punchy, blackcurrant, rich, luscious fruits on palate. Lots of Tesco Finest Triple Sec Emporia Brands Yeni Raki Ala Mey Icka Sanayi ve Ticaret concentrated, excellent very thick on palate cassis, long finish, lots of vibrancy, very intense Wild Turkey American Honey Catalyst Brands Zachos Ouzo Lidl UK International Spirits Challenge 21 i DrinksInt.com i August 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Gin TROPHY TROPHY No.3 London Professor Dry Gin Cornelius Berry Bros & Rudd Ampleforth’s Bathtub Gin (Super premium) Master of Malt

GOLD Asda London Dry Gin Asda

TASTING NOTE: Spicy juniper, sweet spice on palate developing to juniper

GOLD Beefeater London Dry Gin Chivas Brothers

TASTING NOTE: Citrus spice and TASTING NOTE: Complex nose, surely juniper on the nose, traditional palate, balanced. Massive hit of juniper/spice. citrus top notes. Well balanced Long aftertaste. Delicious

GOLD Best in class Martin Miller’s Gin Westbourne Strength The Reformed Spirits Company TASTING NOTE: Lightly balanced with spice/citrus notes. Lovely complexity

GOLD sainsBury’s Blackfriars Gin G&J Greenall

TASTING NOTE: Quite delicate nose. Much bigger on the palate, liquorice finish. TASTING NOTE: What a gin. Would love to try it with tonic. Everything a gin Long and well balanced. Excellent gin should be International Spirits Challenge 22 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

GOLD GOLD Martin Miller’s Gin Whitley Neill Gin The Reformed Spirits Company Whitley Neill

TASTING NOTE: Light on aroma, but good on complexity. Good traditional gin

Silver Beefeater 24 Chivas Brothers Beefeater London Dry Gin Chivas Brothers Berkeley Square G&J Greenall TASTING NOTE: Lighter, fragrant aroma, long finish, rounded Bleu d’Argent Groupe Grands Chais de France Bombay Original Dry Gin Bacardi Global Brands GOLD Bombay Sapphire East Bacardi Global Brands Botanic Premium Bodegas Williams & Humbert Portobello Road Gin Botanic Ultra Bodegas Williams & Humbert Portobello Road Gin Brecon Botanicals Gin The Welsh Whisky Company Caorunn Inver House Distillers Chancery London Dry Gin G&J Greenall Citadelle Gin Cognac Ferrand Edinburgh Gin Spencerfield Spirit Company Filliers Black Label 12 Year Old Filliers Graanstokerij Filliers Tangerine Gin 43% Filliers Graanstokerij Gin Mare Global Premium Brands TASTING NOTE: Balance of juniper and citrus on the nose. Diluted nice balanced Hayman’s Old Tom Gin Hayman Distillers product. Complex lingering taste London Hill Gin Ian Macleod Distillers Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin Aldi UK GOLD Origin – Istog, Kosovo (Premium) Master of Malt Professor Cornelius Origin – Istog, Kosovo (Super-premium) Master of Malt Piger Henricus Les Distillateurs Subversifs Ampleforth’s Bathtub Gin Plymouth Gin Chivas Brothers (premium) Six O’Clock Gin Bramley & Gage Master of Malt Spar London Dry Gin G&J Greenall Tesco Finest London Dry Gin G&J Greenall The London No.1 Gonzalez Byass Waitrose Premium London Dry Gin Waitrose

Worship Street Whistling Shop Cream Gin (super premium) Master of Malt

TASTING NOTE: Gin with good Bronze depth. Sophisticated with a dry, Blackwood’s – Super-Premium Blavod Drinks long finish Bloom Premium London Dry Gin G&J Greenall Bombay Sapphire Bacardi Global Brands GOLD Citadelle Reserve 2012 Cognac Ferrand Darnley’s View Spiced Gin Wemyss Vintage Malts Tanqueray Export Strength Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin G&J Greenall Gin Grosvenor Booker Diageo Hendrick’s Gin William Grant & Sons N Gin VLC Bodegas y Vinedos de Utiel New Amsterdam E&J Gallo Reval Remedia Rives Special Gin Rives Pitman Spirit of London Distilled Dry Gin Marks & Spencer TASTING NOTE: Citrus Svensk Gin Svensk Export Vodka elements, sweet character, Waitrose Standard London Dry Gin Waitrose

slightly harsh on taste, good depth Worship Street Whistling Shop, Cream Gin (premium) Master of Malt International Spirits Challenge 25 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Gold Casa Sauza XA, Edicion Limitada Tequila Beam TROPHY TROPHY TASTING NOTE: El Tesoro El Tesoro Good agave presence, mellow with a lovely medium Platinum Reposado finish. Strong tannins Beam Beam Gold El Tesoro 75th Aniversario Beam

TASTING NOTE: Olive tapenade on the nose. Acidic but pleasant. Very well balanced tequila – the wood does not overpower the base spirit

Gold Herradura Seleccion Suprema Extra Añejo Brown-Forman

TASTING NOTE: Fresh and lively TASTING NOTE: Dry grapes, vanilla, TASTING NOTE: Very earthy, orangey and fruity. Smooth agave, great minerality, Tasty, smooth with agave touch and oily sensation. and really good aftertaste and green, fresh agave with hints of Amazing complexity with a really vanilla fresh agave aftertaste Gold Silver Tequila Don Julio 1942 Dos Lunas Blanco Dos Lunas Spirits Diageo El Jimador Añejo Brown-Forman El Jimador Blanco Brown-Forman El Jimador Reposado Brown-Forman El Tesoro Añejo Beam TASTING NOTE: Herradura Añejo Brown-Forman Sweet, fruity and a bit dry. Opens up a bit, becomes dryer. A bit on the sweet Milagro Tequila Añejo William Grant & Sons side but yummy Milagro Tequila Reposado William Grant & Sons Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Añejo William Grant & Sons Gold Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Reposado William Grant & Sons Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Reserve Silver William Grant & Sons Tequila Don Julio Milagro Tequila Silver William Grant & Sons Olmeca Altos Plata Chivas Brothers Añejo Diageo Olmeca Altos Reposado Chivas Brothers Sierra Tequila Antiguo The Drinks Company Tequila Don Julio Blanco Diageo TASTING NOTE: Tequila Don Julio REAL Diageo Fresh agave, butterscotch and vanilla, subtle oak. Tres Generaciones Organic Reposado Beam Smooth, sweet, creamy, agave bitterness, subtle Gold Bronze Azteca Reposado 100% Agave Rusimport Tequila Don Julio Dos Lunas Reposado Dos Lunas Spirits Herradura Reposado Brown-Forman Reposado Diageo Herradura Silver Brown-Forman Sierra Tequila Milenario Extra Añejo The Drinks Company Sierra Tequila Milenario Reposado The Drinks Company TASTING NOTE: Tequila Don Julio 70 Diageo Nutty nose, hazelnuts, walnuts etc. Yeast (mustiness) Tres Generaciones Organic Plata Beam International Spirits Challenge 26 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Brandy TROPHY TROPHY GOLD/BEST IN CLASS GOLD/BEST IN CLASS KWV 15 Cognac L’Authentique LOUIS ROYER Year Old Millesime Armagnac DISTILLERIE KWV 1991 20ans Delord DES SAULES d’Age Armagnac DELORD BORDERIES COGNAC FRAPIN COGNAC LOUIS ROYER

TASTING NOTE: Complex nose with figs and TASTING NOTE: Nice cinnamon. Muscat aromas. Floral, TASTING NOTE: Good TASTING NOTE: Balanced and honey, good complexity character and depth. Nice, interesting, integrated, and balanced. A bit The palate is balanced. plums and dried velvety, with good young but balanced, H2O youngish but good frit. Nice, subtle fruit flavours smooth and elegant character oak notes Gold BIC / Trophy Other made purely from grapes, exclusively in pot stills below 40% Armagnac silver Brandy silver Château Du Tariquet Château Du Tariquet Oude Meester Demant Distell Gold BIC Château Du Tariquet XO Château Du Tariquet Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old Distell Spanish Brandy de Jerez Oude Meester VSOP Distell Armagnac bronze Sydney Back Brandy Backsberg Estate Cellars WAQAR Chateau Du Tariquet Blanche Armagnac Chateau Du Tariquet Van Ryn’s Collectors Reserve 20 Year Old Distell Pisco WAQAR Van Ryn’s Fine Cask Reserve 15 Year Old Distell Gold BIC Château Du Tariquet VSOP Château Du Tariquet Pisco Janneau 15 Year Old Single Distillery Janneau Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 12 Year Old Emporia Brands Brandy bronze Bardinet French Brandy VSOP Bardinet Brandy Gold Bardinet French Brandy XO Bardinet Commando Brandy Distell Beehive Bardinet KWV 20 Year OId KWV Christian Dupré Booker Mellow Wood Brandy Distell Collison’s White Gold Potstilled Distell Richelieu 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy Distell E&J Brandy VS E&J Gallo Richelieu Export Liqueur Brandy Distell E&J Brandy XO E&J Gallo Uitkyk Estate Brandy Grand Reserve 10 Year Old Distell E&J Brandy VS (40% Blend) E&J Gallo Van Ryn’s Distillers Reserve 12 Year Old Distell French Brandy Asda Van Ryn’s Vintage Brandy 10 Year Old Distell Georgievsky XO Tavria Klipdrift Gold Distell Brandy silver Korlat Loza Barrique Badel 1862 E & J Brandy VSOP E&J Gallo Mellow Wood 5 Year Old Brandy Distell Flight Of The Fish Eagle Distell Morpheus XO Blended Premium Brandy Radico Khaitan Imoya KWV Napoleon Brandy Aldi UK Klipdrift Export Distell Napoleon Brandy – Aged 3 Years Marks & Spencer Klipdrift Premium Distell Oude Meester Souverein 18 Year Old Distell KWV 10 Year Old KWV Taste The Difference French Brandy XO Aged 5 Louis Royer KWV 3 Year Old KWV Sevan Armenian Brandy 10 Year Old Whitehall KWV 5 Year OId KWV Sevan Armenian Brandy 5 Year Old Whitehall Laborie Alambic KWV Sevan Armenian Brandy 7 Year Old Whitehall Nederburg Solera Potstilled Distell St Rémy Authentic VSOP Rémy Cointreau GOLD/BEST IN CLASS GOLD/BEST IN CLASS cognac silver Chevalier Cognac Aldi UK WAQAR Lustau Cognac Grande Champagne Extra Cognac Frapin PISCO Solera Cognac Leyrat Snc Maine Drilhon PISQUERA TULAHUEN Reserva Delamain Pale & Dry XO Mentzendorff Gautier Cognac XO Gold And Blue Gautier Cognac Brandy EMILIO LUSTAU Gautier Cognac XO Pinar Del Rio Gautier Cognac Hardy – Noces D’or H Mounier Louis Royer Cognac Preference VSOP Louis Royer Louis Royer Distillerie Chantal Bons Bois Cognac Louis Royer Louis Royer Distillerie De l’Ecole Petite Champagne Cognac Louis Royer Louis Royer Distillerie Les Magnolias Grande Champagne Cognac Louis Royer Louis Royer XO Louis Royer Pierre Ferrand Vintage 1975 Cognac Ferrand Prince Hubert De Polignac Extra H Mounier Prince Hubert De Polignac XO H Mounier Rémy Martin Coeur De Cognac Rémy Martin Rémy Martin Vsop Mcf Rémy Martin Reviseur Cognac Snc Maine Drilhon Richelieu XO Distell TASTING NOTE: Tesco Cognac VS Emporia Brands Plums and red TASTING NOTE: fruit, with sweet Clear colour, associated cognac Bronze clean, good aromas. Fairly Braastad Organic Arcus aromas of fresh complex, sweet Camus VSOP Elegance Camus Cognac fruit, round. Nice finish on the Garde Marine XO Rusimport anisette notes palate Louis Royer Force 53 Vsop Fine Champagne Cognac Louis Royer Louis Royer VS Cognac Louis Royer Brandy bronze Louis Royer VSOP Cognac Louis Royer St Rémy Authentic Xo Rémy Cointreau Merlet Cognac Brothers Blend Distillerie Merlet & Fils St Remy Extra Old Reserve Privee Rémy Cointreau Rémy Martin XO Excellence Rémy Martin Tsar Tigran Armenian Brandy 20 Year Old Whitehall Reviseur Cognac Snc Maine Drilhon Tsar Tigran Armenian Brandy 25 Year Old Whitehall Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference XO Cognac Grande Champagne Louis Royer Tsar Tigran Armenian Brandy 30 Year Old Whitehall Tesco Cognac VSOP Emporia Brands Viceroy 5 Year Old Distell Tesco Finest Cognac XO Emporia Brands

Calvados Gold GRAPPA bronze Tesco Calvados VSOP Tesco Stores Grappa De Chardonnay Distilleria Sibona Grappa Di Barolo Distilleria Sibona Calvados Bronze Grappa XO Distilleria Sibona Berneroy Fine Camus Cognac Berneroy XO Camus Cognac PISCO silver Daron Fine Cognac Ferrand Pisco Bauza Aniversario 40 Doble Destilado Agroproductos Bauza Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Calvados XO 12 Year Old Emporia Brands Pisco El Gobernador Miguel Torres Chile Pisco Reservado Bauza 40 Doble Destilado Agroproductos Bauza cognac Gold Hardy VSOP H Mounier PISCO bronze Louis Royer Distillerie D’aumagne Fins Bois Cognac Louis Royer Pisco Reservado Bauza Crystal 40 Doble Destilado Agroproductos Bauza Louis Royer Extra Grande Champagne Louis Royer XO Famille Drouet Drouet Et Fils Spanish Brandy silver cognac silver Don Cortez Solera Gran Reserva Rusimport Gautier Cognac VS (BEST IN CLASS) Gautier Cognac Lustau Solera Gran Reserva Emilio Lustau Baron Otard VS Château De Cognac Veterano 8a Generacion Familiar Osborne Baron Otard VSOP Château De Cognac Baron Otard XO Gold Château De Cognac Spanish Brandy bronze Braastad My Selection Arcus Carlos I Osborne Braastad XO Fine Champagne Arcus Carlos I Imperial Osborne Camus Vs Elegance Camus Cognac Lustau Solera Gran Reserva Finest Selection Emilio Lustau International Spirits Challenge 28 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

GOLD GOLD Silver Doorly’s RL Seale & Co Chairman’s LA HECHICERA Havana Club 15 Años Havana Club International Reserve – FINE AGED Havana Club 7 Años Havana Club International Spiced RUM FROM INOX Original Purissima Do Brazil Bebidas Island Magic Booker Rum st lucia distillers COLOMBIA Lemon Hart Original Demerara Rum Lemon Hart Rum Company La Hechicera OVD Rum William Grant & Sons TROPHY GOLD Plantation Panama 2002 Cognac Ferrand Chairman’s 1931 – 2nd Prof Cornelius Ampleforth’s Rumbullion! Master of Malt Prof Cornelius Ampleforth’s Navy Strength Master of Malt Reserve Edition Pusser’s Rum Pusser’s Rum Co st lucia distillers Finest St Pusser’s Rum 15 Year Old Old Pusser’s Rum Co RedLeg RedLeg Rum Co Lucia Rum TASTING st lucia distillers Taste the Difference Golden Rum J Sainsbury NOTE: St James Premium Caribbean Rum – Heritage La Martiniquaise Angostura TASTING NOTE: St James Premium Caribbean Rum Reserve La Martiniquaise bitters, orange Quite complex. St André Rum Vesou Trois Freres Distillery zest, good Nicely balanced, Terra Dourada – Cachaça Spezia balance. Good nice finish, Westerhall Vintage Rum Westerhall Estate ingredients, not too sweet. Wood’s 100 Old Navy Rum William Grant & Sons very pleasant, Nose absolutely Zacapa 23 Diageo some gorgeous. complexity Toffee Zacapa XO Diageo

GOLD GOLD Bronze Havana Club Original Asda Caribbean Spiced Asda 3 Años Pitú do Auri Industria de Bebidas Rio Belo TASTING NOTE: Good balance, havana club Auri Branca Industria de Bebidas Rio Belo integrated, concentrated till the end. international Brazil Auri Partilha Especial Industria de Bebidas Rio Belo Semper idem Not too much sugar. Genuine rum Bacardi 8 Bacardi Underberg Bacardi Grand Melon Bacardi Bacardi Oakheart Bacardi GOLD GOLD GOLD Bajan XO Rum Marks & Spencer Admiral Bundaberg Cachaça Bundaberg: Master Distillers Collection Dark Oak Diageo Cane Trader Booker Rodney Rum: Master Terra Chairman’s Reserve White Rum St Lucia Distillers st lucia distillers Distillers Dourada Cruzan Aged Light Rum Beam Dark Navy Rum Asda Collection – Ouro TASTING NOTE: Terra Dourada Interesting cane Gingerbread Rum Marks & Spencer Double notes. Juice based, Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros Havana Club International Barrel almost brandy. James Cook Genuine Overseas Rum Lidl UK Diageo lovely balance. Liberté White Rum Lidl UK Almost wine like. Negrita Gold Bardinet Aged for a long Negrita Spiced Bardinet time as grassy nose TASTING NOTE: Old Hopking Dark Rum Aldi UK has disappeared. Well balanced. A Old Hopking White Rum Aldi UK Lovely one bit grassy Plantation Trinidad 1989 Cognac Ferrand Red Heart Original Caribbean Rum South Africa Silver Ron Manacas Sanchez Romate Bacardi 1873 Solera Bacardi Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum William Grant & Sons Bacardi Añejo Bacardi St André 8 Year Old Rum Trois Freres Distillery TASTING Bacardi Gold Bacardi Superior White Rum Asda NOTE: Brandy TASTING NOTE: Bacardi Limon Bacardi The Wild Geese Golden Rum Avalon Group TASTING NOTE: Balanced, sulphury TASTING NOTE: Nose is gorgeous. nose. Treacle. Old spiced. Original. Bacardi Reserva Limitada Bacardi The Wild Geese Premium Rum Avalon Group nose but as it is aged is great. The Real wood, real oxidation, real Latin A very good Floral and fruity Chairman’s Reserve – The Forgotten Casks St Lucia Distillers Westerhall Superb Light Rum Westerhall Estate finish is very nice. An honest product style one nose. Very complex Cruzan Aged Dark Rum Beam Westrock Spiced Catalyst Brands International Spirits Challenge 31 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Design & Packaging

Trophies trophy Absolut Unique Bombay Family Business Sapphire Webb deVlam Established

Most Innovative Pack Format

most Design innovative Trophy for Champion Graphic Repackaged Gold Design Beefeater Burrough’s Trophy Reserve The Glenlivet Alpha Coley Porter Bell Nude Brand Creation New new International Spirits Challenge 32 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International

Gold Gold Cutty Don Papa Stranger & Stranger Sark Tam New O’Shanter Edition 25 Year Old Edrington Established

Gold Gold Glenfiddich Olmeca Ultimate 38 Altos Coley Porter Bell Years Old Repackaged William Grant & Sons Distillers New

Silver Casa Dragones Sipping Tequila Casa Dragones Tequila Established Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish William Grant & Sons Established Bronze Johnnie Walker Blue Label Diageo Established Dewar’s Signature John Dewar & Sons Established John Walker & Sons Odyssey Diageo Established Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Diageo Established

Bes Ron Manacas Designt & Sanchez Romate Hnos Established Prof Cornelius Ampleforth’s Bathtub Gin Master of Malt Established Packa Brugal Papa Andres for Traging Edrington New Ret vel U’Luvka Vodka U’Luvka Established ail Camus Family Legacy Camus Cognac New Chivas Brothers Blend Coley Porter Bell New Flaming Heart Limited Edition Stranger & Stranger New Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition Edrington New Jack Daniel’s White Rabbit Stranger & Stranger New Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask Reserve William Grant & Sons New Johnnie Walker Explorer’s Club Collection Diageo New Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask FinishWilliam Grant & Sons New Marks & Spencer Single Malt Gift Set Marks & Spencer New Purity Vodka Purity Vodka New The Entertainer Stranger & Stranger New Redleg Blavod Drinks New Mamont Vodka Marussia Beverages Repackaged Hardy VSOP Hardy Cognac Repackaged Mamont Vodka Gift Box Marussia Beverages Repackaged Prince Hubert De Polignac – Extra H Mounier Repackaged International Spirits Challenge 34 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Marketing Highly Highly Trophy Highly Commended Commended Commended Trophy Trophy Highly Commended Best PR Best Launch Buchanan’s Ardbeg Galileo Campaign Campaign Absolut Unique Bloom Pick Your LDR London Dialogue Glenmorangie Company Family Business Own Strawberries LDR LONDON Creative Communications quintessential brands

THE CAMPAIGN: Ardbeg Galileo 12-year-old single malt was launched to celebrate the distillery’s ‘world first’ experiment in space, in which a rocket carrying research vials of Ardbeg-crafted molecules was blasted to the International Space Station to test the effects of near-zero gravity on the maturation process.

Highly Commended

Best PR Campaign Stolichnaya Premium Highly Highly Commended Best Best Commended Vodka Best Digital Marketing Experiential Best Spirits and Social Concept Campaign PR Company SPI Group Marketing of the Campaign Best Year Integrated THE CAMPAIGN: The Most Campaign Original people Deserve the Most Original Vodka was created to THE CAMPAIGN: Absolut’s latest eye-catching THE CAMPAIGN: Pick Your Own Strawberries was THE COMPANY: Over the past year the drinks celebrate original content from across campaign created an infinite number of unique designed to increase brand awareness among target specialist PR company’s team has grown from six to 10 THE CAMPAIGN: Buchanan’s Share Yourself (Mexico, Colombia, the world in the categories of art, designs for the vodka brand’s bottles. The judges female consumers and educate on a new way to and the agency has moved to larger premises in Soho. Venezuela) used the engagement model of celebrating music and fashion. It invited users and hailed it a “really creative concept”, adding: “They drink Gin & Tonic – with strawberries. The campaign Its track record of delivering integrated campaigns with volunteer work with live music events, providing consumers aspiring artists to submit pieces to be have brought the bottling line to life, made it sexy.” brought the English countryside to an empty retail commercial impact has helped it win the global brief a chance to get involved in volunteer activities driven by the voted on by consumers with a chance Other comments included: “An engineering wizard space in the middle of London, recreating in the for Noilly Prat with Bacardi Global Brands and the G&J brand. Consumers gave four hours of their time and were to win a trip to New York for a party has made the design truly random,” and “makes the city the British tradition of strawberry picking, with Greenall portfolio. It already counts Appleton Estate rewarded with a tickets to an exclusive concert. which showcased the winning artists. brand more desirable to consumers.” strawberry plants from south west England. Jamaica rum and Babicka vodka in its portfolio.

Trophy Trophy Johnnie Walker House China Dialogue Diageo Best Brand Dialogue Experience

THE CAMPAIGN: Launched on the back of the successful Shanghai model which opened last year, Johnnie THE COMPANY: The team at Dialogue took this trophy largely as a result of their work with Buchanan’s Best Walker House Beijing is said to be the world’s largest embassy for luxury Scotch whisky, providing bespoke on the Share Yourself campaign, which resulted in 6,500 volunteers taking part in dozens of projects in Spirits PR Company experiences to help consumers immerse themselves in the world of whisky. It blends a bar, museum, retail Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. The judges were all hugely impressed, with one summing up their feelings: of the outlet and members club in response to demand from Chinese consumers for in-depth knowledge of both “Blown away by this campaign. It is a fabulous example of the influence and power of brands, what they are Year specific brands and the broader categories under which they fall. capable of and how they can drive change. Incredible.” International Spirits Challenge 36 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Retailers UK Spirits Retailer of the Year Master of Malt

The trophy cabinet at Master of Malt is surely juniper distillates are fascinating for gin fans coming free at the sides with the volume of and the Whisky Advert Calendar is far from gongs this company has received in the past textbook when it comes to new ways to couple of years. present products. Master of Malt has proved revolutionary Currently under the banner of Batshit (and evolutionary) when it comes to selling Mental Ideas, Master of Malt is ageing gin spirits. It is perhaps most recognised for its in a barrel that previously aged a Negroni dram-sized bottles of different whiskies – cocktail, apropos of achieving something some old and rare. completely different. The neat little bottles are sealed with Master of Malt will also personalise a wax and the labels feature handmade paper bottle for as little as £30 (an 8-year-old with an old-fashioned typewriter-style font. blend). Peace of mind when it comes to Lovely stuff. finding gifts. The retailer has also produced some There’s no question: in the theatre of truly unique spirits – like Cream Gin, which drinks, this company is hotter than the sun. is made using distilled cream and is the key What customers say: ingredient in World’s 50 Best Bars 2012 “Excellent website. Easy to use, helpful venue The Worship Street Whistling Shop’s information when ordering.” Black Cat’s Martini. Master of Malt is perhaps most recognised for its dram-sized bottles of “Usually the best price. Reviews are The company’s single-estate cold-distilled all different whiskies usually helpful and honest.”

International Spirits Retailer of the year La Maison du Whisky

This Paris-based enterprise, founded in Armagnacs, and . 1956, won this award in 2011 too, when In 1999 the company created an online its worldwide spirits franchise caught the auction site (whisky.fr) and its annual judges’ eyes. catalogue has become a reference guide for It opened its first shop in 1968 and now has the whisky and spirits industry. three stores in France and one in Singapore, Time Out’s online guide says of La Maison epitomising its philosophy to explore all the du Whisky: “the enlightened enthusiast will facets of the world of whisky. find unusual names and new flavours to The French shops are LMDW Fine Spirits, explore, and the passionate staff will quickly Carrefour de l’Odeon and ‘temple of fine school the beginner in avoiding rookie spirits’ La Maison du Whisky Saint Denis de errors. la Reunion. “You’ll struggle to leave empty-handed, The company also has a bar called Fine or without the fumes of a tasting session on Spirits by La Maison du Whisky built into its your breath.” Singapore outlet. Praise indeed for a long-standing In recent years the company’s philosophy enterprise that has maintained its sense has been expanded to other fine spirits and of heritage, quality and tradition while La Maison du Whisky is now the exclusive embracing the ever-changing world of distributor of many high-quality and highly spirits and the media by which that can be regarded rums, cachaças, calvados, , communicated. International Spirits Challenge 38 i DrinksInt.com i august 2013 i Supplement to Drinks International Judges Whisky Judges vodka Judges Liqueurs Judges

Clockwise top left: Tadashi Sakuma, senior officer/ Left to right: Ian Wisniewski, journalist, broadcaster, Left to right: Dawn Davies, spirits buyer for chief blender Nikka; Angela D’Orazio, specialist spirits writer; Alexander Zaytsev, Russian Alcohol Selfridges; Isabel Graham-Yooll, spirits buyer for Macmyra Svensk Whisky; Richard Paterson, master Association; Claire Smith, head of spirit, creation & mixology Milroy’s of Soho and Jeroboams associate director; blender Whyte & Mackay; Randy Hudson, Triple Eight Belvedere Vodka; Leonid Vladimirovich Gelibterman, Patrick van Zuidam, master distiller and MD Zuidam Distillery; Gordon Motion, master blender Edrington; International Centre of Wine & Gastronomy; Joanne Moore, Distillers; Elie-Arnaud Denoix, Vedrenne; Adeline Seiichi Koshimizu, chief blender Suntory; John Ramsay, master distiller G&J Greenall; Halvor Heuch, vice-president, Loizeau, Cognac quality manager Grand Marnier; master blender retired; Billy Leighton, master blender spirits, Arcus; Markku Raittinen, master taster Finlandia Peter Hallgarten, spirits consultant; Adrian Subia, Irish Distillers; Caroline Martin, master blender Diageo Vodka; Alexey Zaytsev, director Prodexpo Russia Diego Zamora Licores

Gin Judges tequila Judges brandy Judges

Left to right: Lesley Gracie, new liquid development Left to right: Rodrigo Alvarez, brand ambassador Left to right: Pieter De Bod, general manager spirits leader William Grant & Sons; Lucy Britner, World’s Navajo Joe; Tim Homewood, brand ambassador Cuervo & packaging KWV; Dr Caroline Snyman, business 50 Best Bars editor; Patience Gould, freelance Tequila; Matthias Lataille, brand ambassador Olmeca director Distell; Neil Mathieson, managing director spirits writer; Desmond Payne, master distiller, Altos; Carlos Londono, general manager Café Pacifico; Marussia Beverages; Rocio Osborne, Osborne; Louis Beefeater Gin; Charles Maxwell, Thames Distillers; Jon Anders Fjelstrud, manager El Camino in Soho; (not Nomdedeu, spirits consultant; Simon Palmer, spirits Bernard Filliers, Filliers Graanstokerij NV pictured) Jesse Estes, Ocho Tequila brand ambassador consultant

Rum Judges Design & packaging Judges marketing Judges

Left to right: Patrick van Zuidam, master distiller and MD Zuidam Distillers; Will Lowe, wine & spirits educator; Carsten E Vlierboom, MD E&A Scheer; Dr Kirstie Left to right: Tim Croxson, chief operating officer Left to right: Paul Foulkes-Arellano, client service McCallum, global brand ambassador Burn Stewart Croxons; Neil Vestrini, creative director Cartils; director Seymourpowell; Nicky Forrest, Phipps PR; Distillers; Steve Hoyles, technical lab & sensory manager, Paul Foulkes-Arellano, client service director Louise Lynch, category planner Sainsbury’s; Simon Chivas Brothers Seymourpowell; Simon Weston, Bamboo London Weston, Bamboo London