Scotch Whiskies Dominate International Wine & Spirit Competition

July 27, 2016 – Scotch whiskies were the overall winner in the 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition, with more than 400 gold medals awarded by the competition’s judging panel. Overall whisky entries were up ten percent over last year, according to IWSC managing director Ewan Lacey, while gin’s growth led to a 35 percent increase in entries for that category.

Kilchoman Sanaig took the trophy for Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (No Age Statement), while The Balvenie’s 12-year-old DoubleWood won the trophy for Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 years and younger. Balblair’s 1990 Vintage took the honor for Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky over 15 years old. Aberlour A’Bunhadh was named the Best Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and The Golden Age Blend won the trophy for Best Blended Scotch Whisky.

All five Scotch Whisky trophy winners won “Gold Outstanding” medals in their respective categories, with eight other medals awarded:

• Balblair 1983
• Ballantine’s 21
• That Boutique-y Whisky Company Blended Scotch Batch #2
• Glenfiddich 21
• Glenfiddich 40
• Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14
• The Balvenie Thirty
• Monarch of the Glen 15 Blended Scotch

Two of Beam Suntory’s Kentucky whiskies won in the other whisky categories. Jim Beam Black won the trophy for Best Bourbon, while Knob Creek Rye won the trophy for Best Worldwide Whiskey. Both whiskies won “Gold Outstanding” medals, with the only other medal going to Kavalan’s Solist Port Single Cask Strength single malt from Taiwan.

A complete list of winners is available at the IWSC’s web site.

Links: International Wine & Spirit Competition