Richard Paterson OBE on how to win IWSC gold: It’s all about harmony

The IWSC judges are the industry's most influential voices, shaping global markets and driving brand success. From Master Distillers to Senior Buyers, from Head Sommeliers to Bar Directors, these leaders guide the world's top drinks establishments. Through our new Insider series, discover why their judgement is so trusted and gain exclusive insights from the experts themselves.

In this edition of IWSC Insider, Richard Paterson OBE, one of Scotch Whisky's most respected figures, talks about Whisky trends, how to win an IWSC gold, and how the IWSC judging standards drive quality across the global spirits industry. 

How To Win a Gold

"We're looking for harmony and tranquillity in gold medal winners. What I mean by that, everything has to be working together. The spirit has to have the body, the character, and it has to show not just the individual nuances and flavours, it has to be working in harmony. This standard pushes producers to ensure every element of their spirit works in perfect concert."

Driving Industry Innovation

The competition's influence on industry standards is particularly evident in how it evaluates and rewards innovation. "We're seeing new developments, especially in cask management and craft distillation," Paterson notes. "IWSC's judging criteria ensure these innovations don't come at the expense of quality—they must enhance it."

Changes & Trends in Whisky

“Over the years, the quality of IWSC entries changed dramatically. Remember, we are working in a highly competitive area and it’s up to the IWSC to show where the changes are occurring. Yes, the big production is always there, but it’s now the individual craftsmanship that is entering the field. The changes are taking place in the casks - they often you have different seasonings going on. It’s an exciting time, it’s an innovative time, and thanks to the IWSC we are revealing these changes and showing what gold medal winners are all about.

While we've had the longstanding Scotch Whisky supporters from Scotland, we're now seeing entries from all over the world. But they must remember a number of things. First of all, excellence in distillation to get that purity of spirit coming through. But more importantly, they must be looking for cask innovation. The cask is king: 80% of influence comes from the cask. And we already see that trend: people are going to have to diversify, they’ll have to excite the consumer, so they are going to use new casks – but they always need to keep that quality in mind.”

Maintaining Standards in Practice 

The recent Kentucky judging exemplified how the IWSC's standards influence production. "What we witnessed was a commitment to meeting and exceeding our benchmarks," Paterson observes. "Distillers in Kentucky work like a family, all focused on one goal: ensuring quality shines through."

Future of Quality Standards

Looking ahead, Paterson sees the IWSC's role in maintaining standards becoming even more crucial. "As the industry becomes more diverse and creative, our judging ensures that innovation always serves quality. It's about exciting consumers while maintaining those exact standards that the IWSC has championed since 1969."

Richard Paterson OBE is Master Blender at Whyte & Mackay and member of the IWSC Spirits Judging Committee. Known globally as "The Nose", his exceptional career spans over 50 years in the Scotch whisky industry, earning him an OBE and international recognition for his contributions to the sector.