The 2023 International Spirits Challenge has seen several South African Brandy distillers walk away with awards and new titles.
South Africa (20 September 2023) – South Africans really enjoy good brandy, whether with the traditional Coke or sipped in its original form. Thanks to this love, South African distillers produce some of the world’s best and have won a few awards.
The 2023 International Spirits Challenge (ISC) was announced in London recently. The International Spirits Challenge is one of the definitive award ceremonies where brandy from around the world is rigorously tested by a panel of experts and awarded well-deserved titles.
How it works
According to the ISC, the Tasting Awards winners are established through a rigorous judging process – a highly controlled operation held over twenty-three days of intense blind tastings by panels of more than 75 respected and experienced industry professionals.
Samples are delivered to the judging area in flights of numbered tasting glasses to ensure the accuracy of the blind tasting. Each judge will assess products according to their age, region and variety which is determined by the entrant and verified by the chairman. Each product is blind-tasted and awarded a score for its aroma, appearance, taste and finish. Scores are collated and recorded by the category chairman before Trophy, Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded.
Of the 52 entries, South Africa had 18 winners. Several South African brands have earned Tasting Awards at this year’s event. They are as follows:
- Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 12 Years Old – Trophy for Potstill Grape Brandy 11 years old and over
- Klipdrift Premium Brandy – Gold for Grape Brandy up to 3 Years old
- Klipdrift Premium Export Brandy – Double Gold for Grape Brandy up to 3 Years old
- KWV 10 – Double Gold for Potstill Grape Brandy between 6 – 10 years old
- KWV 12 – Double Gold for Potstill Grape Brandy 11 years old and over
- KWV 15 – Silver for Potstill Grape Brandy 11 years old and over
- KWV 20 – Double Gold for Potstill Grape Brandy 11 years old and over
- KWV 3 – Silver for Grape Brandy up to 3 Years old
- KWV 5 – Double Gold for Grape Brandy between 4 – 5 years
- Olof Bergh Solera Brandy – Silver for Grape Brandy up to 3 Years old
- Richelieu International Brandy – Silver for Grape Brandy up to 3 Years old
- Richelieu Vintage Brandy 10 Year Old – Silver for Grape Brandy between 6 – 10 years old
- Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 10 Years – Gold for Potstill Grape Brandy between 6 – 10 years
- Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 15 Year Old – Gold for Potstill Grape Brandy 11 years old and over
- Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 20 Year Old – Silver for Potstill Grape Brandy 11 years old and over
- Viceroy 5 Year Old Brandy – Double Gold for Grape Brandy between 4 – 5 years old
- Viceroy Potstill Brandy 10 Y0 – Gold for Potstill Grape Brandy between 6 – 10 years
- Wellington VO – Silver for Grape Brandy up to 3 Years old
You can find all the winners listed here.