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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
Beam Announces Agreement to Purchase Cooley Distillery, Award-Winning Irish Whiskey Compan
Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM), a leading global premium spirits company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Cooley Distillery, the award-winning independent Irish whiskey producer. The acquisition of Cooley, the industry’s only remaining independent Irish whiskey distillery, will mark Beam’s entrance into one of the spirits industry’s fastest-growing categories. The purchase price is approximately $95 million on a debt-free basis.
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A spotlight on the IWSC award-winning spirits of 2011
As the deadline looms for all entries in the spirits category of the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2012, we shine a spotlight on some of the award-winning spirits of last year. Unlike the wine category which has separate entry deadlines, spirit-makers from all countries must submit their entries by May 11th.
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William Grant & Sons crowned ‘Distiller of the Year’
FAMILY-OWNED distiller William Grant & Sons, producers of Glenfiddich, Grant’s and Balvenie, was announced ‘Distiller of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) awards banquet. The independent distiller scooped 54 medals and four trophies in the Oscars of the spirits’ world, seeing off competition from around the world to be awarded the sought-after title. As well as winning the
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Popular Australian vineyard crowned ‘best winemaker in the world’
Popular Australian vineyard crowned ‘best winemaker in the world’ McGuigan Wines, a well-known brand among the UK’s 28 million wine drinkers, has beaten competition from the world’s finest vineyards to be crowned ‘International Winemaker of the Year’. In addition to the prestigious title, awarded by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), the family-run Australian producer scooped 35 medals for its wine. The
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Waitrose awarded ‘Retailer of the Year’ for its wines and spirits
OR the second year running, supermarket Waitrose has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Retailer of the Year’ by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). Sponsored by leading independent wine importer PLB Group Ltd, the title celebrates innovation in retailing wines and spirits, as well as the quality of the supermarket’s range. This year, for the first time, judging included an online
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Manchester wine merchants crowned ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’
hangingditch, an independent wine specialist in Manchester, has scooped the prestigious title of ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’ from the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). The eclectic store which, in the three years since it opened has already notched up a string of awards, beat off competition from around the country to win the hotly-contested title. Judges were impressed by hangingditch’s range
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Winners announced in the ‘Oscars’ of the drinks’ world
Scottish distiller William Grant & Sons, retailer Waitrose and Australian winemaker McGuigan Wines all have cause to celebrate after scooping top awards at the Oscars of the drinks world. Family-run William Grant & Sons, producers of Glenfiddich, Grant’s and Balvenie, were crowned ‘Distiller of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) awards banquet. This is the fourth time that William
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Worldwide whisky-tasting event specialists Simply Whisky will feature IWSC medal winning whiskies at their events - 2011
Worldwide whisky-tasting event specialists Simply Whisky will feature International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) medal winning whiskies at their events. The events will be promoted jointly and the IWSC whiskies featured will be clearly marked with their awards from the world’s most prestigious annual wine and spirit competition. The next tasting event is being held on Thursday 10th November for a consortium of
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WSTA Chief Executive takes on new role
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has today announced that Chief Executive, Jeremy Beadles, will be leaving the organisation in the New Year, after six years, to take up the position of Corporate Relations Director for Heineken UK. Jeremy Beadles said: "I have had a fantastic six years with the WSTA and, whilst I will be sad to leave, I am really looking forward
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New Zealand Wine Enjoys Unprecedented Success at Major Global Competition
New Zealand wine has shone brightly on the world stage with an extraordinary result in the UK-based 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC). New Zealand won a phenomenal 305 awards including 18 gold medals, 15 of which were 'Best in Class'. This tally of medals beats New Zealand's previous record of 11 golds in 2008 and the competition average of 4.9 gold medals per
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