About the Awards:
The International Spirits Challenge is noted as one of the most authoritative and influential spirits competitions in the world. The ISC recognises three key areas of the industry: tasting, design and packaging, and marketing.
The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high calibre of spirits, designs and campaigns entered into the competition each year.
This year’s awards attracted more than 1,000 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide.
Notable Results:
Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year: William Grant & Sons
Tequila Producer of the Year: Beam Suntory
Vodka Producer of the Year: Belvedere Vodka
Liqueurs Producer of the Year: Distillerie Merlet & Fils
Gin Producer of the Year: Essential Drinks Company
Brandy/Cognac Producer of the Year: KWV
Rum Producer of the Year: St Lucia Distillers
A full list of this year’s results can by viewed at https://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/2015-results/#Results
Royal Adelaide Beer & Cider Awards
About the Awards:
Open to large and small breweries Australia-wide, the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards are designed to recognise the importance of Australia’s $7 billion beer and cider industry. Run by the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia, this year’s awards attracted 168 entries from over 30 breweries, with all entries assessed by an expert industry panel.
Exhibits are judged in a blind tasting from both a technical and consumer appreciation perspective, taking into consideration the beer’s appearance, aroma, flavour and overall impression.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell explained at the presentation that the awards provide a valuable opportunity for brewers and cider makers to gain access to new markets both within South Australia and across the country.
“The State Government is pleased to support these awards, which help promote the importance of our beer and cider industry, and provides a valuable opportunity for the growing band of brewers in our state.
“South Australian barley is used in some of the best beers right around the world. This industry creates significant employment and economic benefits, and promotes the very best of South Australia’s premium offerings throughout the state, and in being exported to the world. We will be there as it continues to grow,” Bignell continued.
Notable Results:
Brewers that performed well included Victoria’s Hawthorn Brewing Company, which won the Best American Style Pale Ale title and Best New Exhibit.
SA’s Brewboys won the coveted Celebrity Choice award for their ‘Seeing Double’ brew, as well as the Champion Other Ale award.
Other winners included Yenda Red from the Australian Beer Company (Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer), West End (Champion Australian Style Lager) and Goodieson Brewery (Champion Stout).
No cider entries received trophies, however The Hills Cider Company Apple Cider received a commendation.
Australian Boutique Wine Awards 2015
Established in 1996, in order to give boutique winemakers an opportunity to garner industry feedback even if they have small quantities of the wine available. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Australian Boutique Wine Awards.
The awards consisted of 12 title classes delineated by variety and not limited to any particular vintages or price points. There was also a special “Estate Grown and Produced” trophy granted to a winning vineyard that exceptionally completes all areas of production in-house.
This year, of the 1000 boutique entries, 90 per cent were Australian and 10 per cent from New Zealand.
Notable Results:
This year judges awarded 15 trophies, 43 gold medals, 106 silver medals and 336 bronze medals.
New Zealand’s winemaker Frank Manifold of Mount Brown Estates in Waipara, took home a number of trophies including “Red Wine of Show” for the Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2013, as well as “Estate Grown and Produced” and “Wine of Show”.
White Wine of Show, titled the “Max Lake Memorial Trophy”, was won for the second consecutive year by Western Australian winemaker Darryn Rigg for the Barrel Select Chardonnay 2014.
A full list of results can be found on boutiquewines.com.au.
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