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Each week we publish stories about the best wines and spirits, our experts, upcoming events, and beverage industry news. And, don't miss our new IWSC Insights series, where we take an in-depth look into drinks businesses and markets around the world. Looking for recommendations? Visit our consumer website Club Oenologique to read our top 10s and reviews.

IWSC news

#IWSCbestindie nominations announced - Consumer voting begins

THIS week sees the opening of consumer voting for the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) Independent Retailer of the Year Award. Nominations are in, and now it is time for the public to take charge and vote for their favourite wine and spirit merchant from those who nominated themselves as one of the very best. Votes are now open to the public and should

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IWSC news

Success for craft distilling at the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition

WITH entries into the Gin category up by 20%, competition was fierce for the 2013 coveted Gin Trophy, but a local craft distillery, triumphed over contenders at the 44th International Wine & Spirit Competition. The Gin Trophy was won by Adnams Copper House Distillery who also scooped five other medals in the announcement, including Gold for their Spirit of Broadside, Eau de Vie - Beer.

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IWSC news

Craft distiller, Adnams triumphs in the Gin category at the 44th International Wine & Spirit Competition

Adnams Copper House Distilled Gin wins prestigious Gin Trophy Five other Adnams spirits awarded medals Adnams, the Suffolk-based brewer and distiller, has won the prestigious Gin Trophy at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), less than three years after its Copper House Distillery first opened its doors.   Judges at the IWSC, one of the world’s most respected spirits competitions, awarded Adnams’ Copper

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IWSC news

Buffalo Trace Distillery is awarded the inaugural Bourbon Trophy for its Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon 10 YO Whiskey

Buffalo Trace Distillery, the Kentucky based distiller, has been awarded the inaugural Bourbon Trophy at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).   Judges at the world leading Competition described the Whiskey as “vanilla dominated to start”, becoming “more complex with almonds, chocolate, old leather and a hint of mint plus all the ripe summer fruits”.   Sazerac, the independent family owned company which

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IWSC news

Lidl UK’S WESTERN GOLD Bourbon Whiskey lives up to its name

Lidl UK’s newest whiskey has been awarded a Gold Outstanding award at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition. Their Western Gold 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (£14.49, 70cl) was introduced at the end of April earlier this year and proved to be a big hit with shoppers from the moment it reached the shelves. Judges praised the whiskey for its concentrated citrus and rich honey notes

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IWSC news

Discover the secrets of the world's leading wine experts

THERE’S an opportunity this month <July 17> to discover  the secrets of the world’s top wine professionals at a one-off tasting with  Ewan Lacey , hosted by the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC). Wine expert Ewan, who appears on Channel 4’s  Cookery  School,  will host a tasting of some of the world’s best wines – all of them award winners at this year’s competition

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IWSC news

IWSC Independent Retailer of the Year Award 2013 announced Could you be #iwscbestindie?

IWSC Independent Retailer of the Year Award 2013 announced Could you be #iwscbestindie?   THIS week sees the launch of the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) quest to find the UK’s best independent wine and spirits retailer.    Now in its fifth year, the prestigious award – sponsored by leading distributor PLB – recognises the role played by independent merchants in encouraging the understanding,

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IWSC news

Award-winning whisky ‘legend’ praises spirits industry

WORLD-RENOWNED whisky and spirits expert Dave Broom today <April 6> dedicated a prestigious award to ‘the wonderful distillers and blenders in the spirits industry’.   He also praised ‘the great bartenders around the world’ when he accepted the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) title Communicator of the Year 2013. The prestigious title, sponsored by Veronafiere and announced at a gala dinner at the Italian

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IWSC news

IWSC finalist Jean Smullen hosts ‘Bubbles across the Waves’

Jean Smullen, a nominee for the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) title ‘Communicator of the Year’ will showcase sparkling wines from around the world at an Italian wine and spirits fair this week <April 8>. The tasting seminar, called ‘Bubbles across the Waves’, will present award-winning sparkling wines from countries ranging from Russia to New Zealand. Jean, who is based in County Dublin, is an accomplished wine educator and

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IWSC news

Brown-Forman Chairman assumes IWSC Presidency

G. Garvin Brown IV, Chairman of the Board of Brown-Forman, last week <Jan 9 th  > assumed the presidency of the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).   He took over the role from outgoing president Mauricio González-Gordon, head of leading Spanish wine producer, Gonzalez Byass, at a ceremony at the Spanish company’s cellars in  Jerez .   Mr Brown followed the tradition of

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