WB Wins at the Inaugural Old Mutual Trophy Spirits Show

Last month saw the inaugural Old Mutual Trophy Spirits Show (OMTSS), a local spirits competition open to all South African producers and importers. The show, a first of it's kind in SA, scores and ranks all entries across a series of categories, identifying gold, silver and bronze medalists and awarding a trophy to best-in-class. The objective is to identify the top spirits and liqueurs available in the South African market and make this information available to the country's consumers, in an effort to recognise excellence as well as assist in growing the local spirits market.

The winners were announced 2 weeks ago, in an awards ceremony held at the new Old Mutual building in Sandton, and we were thrilled to hear that three of our WhiskyBrother exclusive releases won awards: anCnoc 13yo 2005 Single Cask and Highland Park 12yo 2005 Single Cask won gold, and Arran 12yo 2006 Trebbiano Single Cask won silver.

Neil Paterson, Co-Owner of WhiskyBrother, collecting two gold awards

The competition (not sure why they don't call it that) will be an annual event, and joins the 17 year long running Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, which was established in 2002, and has become a highly regarded wine competition playing a valuable role in the wine industry's local and international performance.

This year there was a total of over 200 products entered, with the international judging panel consisting of David Boyd (former head of the Chivas Regal production team, Scotland), David T. Smith (gin authority, England) and Jerome Royer (President of the French Brandy Federation) as well  as local specialists, Simone Musgrave, Mare-Loe Prinsloo, Andy Watts, Kresan Naidu, Dave Gunns, Mark Backhouse, Marlene Bester, and Pieter de Bod.

We think this is a welcomed addition to the South African whisky (and spirits) landscape and can only add value to the local industry. We look forward to being part of future shows; congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the OMTSS for the awards!

WHISKY RESULTS

Trophy for Best Whisky of Show, Trophy for Best Single Malt Whisky
The Glenlivet Code Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Old Mutual Trophy for Best Blended Whisky
Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Trophy for Best Pot Still Whisk(e)y
Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Gold Medal Winners
Aberlour 18yo Highland Single Malt Scotch
anCnoc 2005 Highland Single Malt Scotch (WhiskyBrother Exclusive)
Ballantine’s Finest Blended Scotch
Chivas Regal 18yo Blended Scotch
Highland Park 12yo Single Malt Scotch Whisky (WhiskyBrother Exclusive)
Private Barrel Co. James Sedgewick 6yo Single Malt South African Whisky
Redbreast 12yo Single Pot Still Irish

NON-WHISKY RESULTS

Trophy for Best Brandy of Show, Old Mutual Trophy for Best Cognac
Martell VSOP Cognac Aged in Red Barrels

Trophy for Best Pot-distilled Brandy
KWV XO Twenty Year Old Potstill Brandy

Old Mutual Trophy for Best London Gin, RIEDEL Trophy for Best Gin of Show
Inverroche Classic Gin

Old Mutual Trophy for Best Distilled Gin
Pimville Gin

Old Mutual Trophy for Best Tequila of Show
Leonista Honey Reposado Karoo Agave Spirit

Old Mutual Trophy for Best Rum of Show
Whistler African Style Dark Rum

Old Mutual Trophy for Best Liqueur of Show
Gabriel Boudier Crème de Cassis

Gold Medal Winners
Bayede! XO Royal Cape Brandy
Bisquit Cognac XO
Boschendal Potstill Brandy XO
Flivver Rooibos Citrus Gin
Ginologist Small Batch Gin Recipe 01 : Floral
Ginologist Small Batch Gin Recipe 02 : Citrus
Jin Gin: Olive and Honey
Leonista Blanco Karoo Agave Spirit
Master’s London Dry Gin
Unit 43 The Prospector Gin
Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 15 years
Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 years
Viceroy Vintage Brandy Aged 10 years