Scottish distiller scoops one of the biggest prizes in the drinks world

Scottish distiller Glenmorangie has been crowned ‘Distiller of the Year’ – one of the most prestigious titles in drinks business – by the International Wine and Sprit Competition (IWSC).

The trophy, presented at the IWSC’s annual banquet in London’s historic Guildhall last night <November 14>, was awarded to the distiller which demonstrated the highest qualities in a range of spirits.

The title is the latest in a series of IWSC accolades for the 160-year-old distillery. Last year it won the ‘United Kingdom Spirits Producer’ and, in 2010, Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s head of distilling and whisky creation, was awarded ‘Outstanding Achievement in the Scotch Whisky Industry’.

This year, competition judges praised the distiller’s “innovation” and the “attention it lavishes on casks, leaving no stone unturned to achieve the perfect complex expression.”

Glenmorangie, which is exported to 130 countries worldwide, recently satisfied a growing demand for limited edition whiskies by launching the 15-year-old “Artein”, aged in ex-Super Tuscan barrels.

Other awards at the event, which attracted more than 450 wine and spirit aficionados from around the world, included Australian winemaker McGuigan Wines winning ‘Winemaker of the Year’ (for the third time in four years) while Bolney Wine Estate – for the first time – was crowned ‘UK Wine Producer of the Year’. Waitrose scooped the accolade ‘Retailer of the Year’ for the second consecutive year.

Allen Gibbons, Group Executive, IWSC Group, said: “Each year without fail, we see demand increase for the awards, stiffening competition between entrants and making the judges’ job that bit harder. Every winner in the competition has truly produced excellent results and should be very proud of their successes. I look forward to seeing what the 2013 competition brings.”