Five Medals at International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2024

The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) is one of the top annual awards in the wine and spirits world. Started in 1969, it's been highlighting the best in the industry for over 50 years. The IWSC brings together a global community to celebrate the finest wines and spirits out there. Producers from all over the world can enter, and the judges taste everything blind to make sure only quality counts.

The IWSC has awards for all kinds of categories, including wine, spirits, sake, and liqueurs, with lots of subcategories to make sure everything gets judged fairly. It was our second time entering this competition, and we're excited to share the fantastic results we have received: two gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals in total:

CONNOISSEUR BRANDS

Cask Noir: Flamenco for the Badger Clan, 12 years old, Dailuaine Distillery, 1st fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead, 56,4% abv., 96 points, Gold Award

A group of well-known whisky experts, including Billy Abbott and Kristiane Sherry, have tasted this whisky and described it as having a “big butterscotch nose, with nutty notes and gentle spice. Harmonious balance of spice and fruit on the soft palate developing intriguing pastry notes of shortbread and berries, offering a gentle yet rich finish, overall, a lovely softness to it given the ABV. "

Whisky of Voodoo: the High Priest, 8 years old,  Orkney Islands, 1st fill Bordeaux Wine Barriques. 52,65 abv.. 90 points, Silver Award

Among those who reviewed this malt were Dawn Davies MW and Bill Lumsden. The tasting panel said that whisky has a "massive hit of singed butterscotch on the nose, the palate shows a lactic touch with red fruits and subtle smoke. Creamy finish.”

Cask Noir: Ivy by the Embers, 11 years old, Blair Athol Distillery, Ex Islay Bourbon Hogshead,57,6%  abv., Bronze Award

Whisky was tasted by Dhavall Gandhi, Colin Hampden-White and other well know figures in whisky industry. ‘Ivy by the Embers’ was described as “perfumed with lemon zest and stone intertwined with smoky ash and briny notes of grilled fish. Appealing apple flavours come through before an attractive Garden Shop finish."

VOLUME BRANDS

Royal Cabinet, Blended Scotch whisky, 20 years old, 44,9% abv., 95 points, Gold Award

The panel sampling this whisky included  Bill Lumsden & Kristiane Sherry. This whisky was characterized having “cinder toffee on the nose with singed raisins and dark sugars - surprising with such a light colour. Palate is fresher than expected with rich butterscotch cream but still dark sugar and molasses notes. Finish is light and fragrant, with a lovely floral essence. "

Mckintyre's Club & Casino, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 10 Years Old, 46% abv., Bronze Award

This malt was enjoyed and evaluated by Dhavali Gandi, Becky Paskin , Colin Hampden – White and others, and characterized as having  “a pretty, subtle nose and smooth palate, with hints of orchard fruit and vanilla. The finish is long and spicy.”

We're deeply honoured by the recognition our whiskies have received at the IWSC. It's truly humbling to see our creations stand out among such esteemed competition. From the Gold Award-winning Cask Noir and Royal Cabinet to the unique profiles of Whisky of Voodoo and Mckintyre's Club & Casino, our spirits have been recognized by some of the industry's most esteemed experts. We are incredibly proud of these achievements and are grateful for the opportunity to share our passion with whisky lovers across the globe.

You can find more details about our wins at IWSC page here.

‍