Page 99 - IWSC Tasting Guide 2017

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Taste test
The International Wine and Spirit Competition is calling for entries to its 2018 Spirits Tasting
Now in its 49th year, the Interna onal Wine & Spirit Compe on rewards and promotes the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. As the contest calls for entries to its 2018 spirits tas ng, research from the Kedge Business School has uncovered the real value that the IWSC stamp of
approval has on your business, and why it remains the one to win in the drinks trade.
The survey saw more than 3,000 wine and spirits producers that had scooped an IWSC prize between 2013 and 2016 being quizzed on the impact
of the award on their business. Eighty per cent of respondents stated that an IWSC award contributed to a greater reputa on and percep on of quality from clients, thanks in part to the reputa on of the compe on’s two-stage judging process.
These quali es were closely followed by a stronger image (76%) and greater credibility (75%) in the industry. More than half said that an IWSC award helped them to achieve stronger sales (55%). This figure jumps to 58% if an IWSC Trophy is awarded. The Kedge study also found that scooping an IWSC Trophy boosted the percep on of their products among clients, the brand’s credibility, image, visibility and sales by an average of 9%.
Chris Blandy, president of the IWSC, said: “A er the largest ever medal haul last year, the IWSC Spirits Tas ng is looking forward to another record-breaking compe on in 2018. While emerging categories are driving the growth of the
Kedge Business School Research:
The impact of an IWSC Award
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More Sales % of respondents that said an IWSC award contributed to ...
Percep on in the industry
Be er image in the industry
Greater credibility in industry
medal table, with world whiskies (+67%), Tequila/mezcal (+67%), Irish whiskey (+55%), rum (+42%) and gin (+31 % ) proving par cularly dynamic, Scotch remains a dominant force, scooping 427 medals in 2016.”
DOUBLE-BLIND TASTING
The IWSC is set apart from other spirits tas ng compe ons by a double-blind tas ng, which means the judges never see a bo le. “The IWSC is a fantas cally well-respected authority, using twin pillars of excep onally well-chosen judges and blind tas ng to deliver consistently trusted results to consumers the world over,” said Ben Ellefsen, director of the Blended Whisky Co., on accep ng the IWSC Blended Scotch Whisky Trophy for The Golden Age Blend last year. Reflec ng on the value of an IWSC trophy, James Wills, marke ng manager
at Kilchoman Dis llery, and winner of the IWSC Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Stated) Trophy in 2016, added: “This is a reward for the hard work and dedica on of the produc on team at the dis llery.” He added: “The IWSC is the most pres gious award in the industry, and is recognised worldwide by the trade and consumers.”
Truly interna onal in its reach, the IWSC receives entries from 90 countries, and is judged by more than 400 industry experts, master dis llers, masters of wine, spirit buyers, sommeliers and journalists. Established in 1969, the IWSC was the first compe on of its kind, and was set up to seek out, reward and promote the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. ●
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