INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION (IWSC)


2010 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION
Category Award Spirit Producer
Potstill – 5 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Laborie Alambic KWV SA
Potstill – 10 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Uitkyk Grand Reserve 10 Year Old Estate Brandy Uitkyk Estate
Potstill – no age stated Gold   Best in Class Flight of the Fish Eagle Distell Ltd
Potstill – 18-20 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Oude Meester Souverein 18 Year Old Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Gold   Best in Class Oude Meester VSOB Distell Ltd
Potstill – 12 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve Distell Ltd
Potstill – 14-15 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve Distell Ltd
Potstill – Solera Aged Gold   Best in Class Oude Molen Solera Grand Reserve Oude Molen Distillery Pty Ltd
Potstill – 14-15 Year Old Gold KWV 15 Year Old KWV SA
Potstill – no age stated Gold KWV Imoya VSOP KWV SA
Potstill – 12 Year Old Gold Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Gold Klipdrift Export Distell Ltd
Blended – 10 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Van Ryn 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended – Solera Aged Silver   Best in Class Olof Bergh Solera Brandy Henry Tayler & Ries Ltd
Potstill – 10 Year Old Silver KWV 10 Year Old KWV SA
Potstill – 18-20 Year Old Silver KWV 20 Year Old Potstill Brandy KWV SA
Blended – no age stated Silver Wellington VO Edward Snell & Co Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Wellington Signature Edward Snell & Co Ltd
Potstill – no age stated Silver Klipdrift Gold Distell Ltd
Potstill – no age stated Silver Oude Meester Demant Distell Ltd
Potstill – Solera Aged Silver Nederburg Solera Potstill Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill – no age stated Silver Collison’s White Gold Potstill Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Van Ryn’s Viceroy 5 Year Old Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill – 18-20 Year Old Silver Van Ryn 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Klipdrift Premium Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Richelieu Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Mellow Wood Standard Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Mellow Wood 5 Distell Ltd
Potstill – 14-15 Year Old Silver Oude Molen VOV Edward Snell & Co Ltd
Potstill – no age stated Silver Oude Molen René Single Cask Oude Molen Distillery Pty Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver African Mishale KWV SA

JUDGES' TASTING NOTES

All Gold Awards and Silver Best in Class Awards


Laborie Alambic Brandy

2010 Best Brandy in the World Award Winner
Medium depth of bright gold. Honey and apricot dominate the nose with a curious but attractive winey note. In the background are some herby hints and some toasty notes. Rich and full in the mouth with lots of dried fruit flavours including apricot and raisin. Great balance and lots of body. Long, fruit filled finish. Lots of mature notes make for relaxed, gentle sipping.

Uitkyk Grand Reserve 10 Year Old Estate Brandy

Medium depth of bright gold. Very attractive and singularly different nose. Hints of ripe red berry fruit, lots of floral notes with dark rose and lavender. Hints of honey, apricot and vanilla and cinnamon make for great complexity. The mature notes are well balanced by some vigorous youth. Extremely pleasing with long, satisfying finish.

Flight of the Fish Eagle

Palest of pale natural colour. Fine aromatics of ripe berry fruit, rich spice and fine oak. Great floral backing. Fine, and silky smooth in the mouth with velvet texture yet lots of attractive life. Flavours develop with berry fruits, barley sugar and some attractive grainy notes. Long spice filled and very satisfying finish.

Oude Meester Souverein 18 Year Old

Deep gold. Rich spice, dried fruit with hints of prune and some orange marmalade all in fine mature frame. Deep, rich, full flavours along the lines of the nose with super maturity and all the complexity that only age can give. Prune and spice gather power towards the finish with the backing of lovely floral notes. Beautifully mellow and very satisfying. A great brandy.

Oude Meester VSOB

Pale, natural colour. Nose simply blossoms with fruity notes. Dried apricot, some citrus then a great floral backing followed by sweet spice. Layers of flavour in the mouth repeating what the nose advertised with fine oak adding to the complexity. Smooth flow and fine texture. Gives impression of great maturity yet still packed with vigour and life. Distinct dried apricot in fine finish.

Van Ryn 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve

Medium depth of bright gold. Very attractive nose simply oozes fine quality with aromatics of maturity alongside a tremendous array floral and perfumed notes and a whole range of dried fruits. Mouth lives up to what the nose had and delivers even more complexity. Silky smooth with satin texture. Ever evolving flavours with dried apricot, hints of marmalade , peach and rich spice. Great, long, everlasting, satisfying finish. A truly great brandy.

Van Ryn 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve

Medium gold with bronze reflections. Glorious nose filled complex composition of ripe fruit, dried fruit, spice and glorious floral backing. Big, rich, full flavoured mouth with fine satin texture and great balance. With all the mature notes a delightful fresh tropical notes finds its way into the complexity. Beautifully mellow and ever so satisfying.

Oude Molen Solera Grand Reserve

Pale, natural colour. Delightful nose with ripe fruit and lots of sherry notes. Full flavours in the mouth give a whole array of characters . Sherry is the main feature with supporting roles from dried apricot , raisin, spicy oak and some sweet floral notes. Smooth and soft yet with good grip. Great balance. Long finish where sherry again features strongly. Very attractive brandy.

KWV 15 Year Old Potstill Brandy

Medium depth of dark gold. Complex nose with dark berry fruits , dried peach, hints of raspberry, raisin and lots of spice. Rich and full in the mouth with layers of flavour repeating what was on the nose. Great oak support. Full textured mouth with easy flowing palate pleasing passage . Lots of mature notes and strong prune in long finish. Oak features strongly at the finish.

KWV Imoya VSOP

Dark gold colour. Honey and dried apricot on the nose with some floral notes and vanilla. Hints of herb and spice. Lively mouth where the flavour really develops. Rich and full with ripe berries, dried fruit and sweet spice. Fig and apricot tend to stand out while some old oak makes a fair statement. Well rounded and beautifully balance. Long finish filled with oaky notes and lots of spice.

Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old

Medium depth of deep gold. Rich spicy nose filled with dried fruits, prune and some citrus with candied orange rind . Big, rich, full mouth which is a great balance of mature notes and some lively youthful notes. Rich and round with fine texture and silky smooth. Amazing floral display with loads of ripe fruit along with lots of dried fruit characters. Mellow and satisfying. A really fine brandy.

Klipdrift Export

Pale, natural colour. Beautiful, fruit-filled nose with dried apricot, hint of raisin and lovely honied notes. Deep flavours in the lively mouth. Some fine oak adds complexity while a broad range of spices come into play. Firm, controlled, satisfying finish.

Van Ryn 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy

Bright gold colour. Nose packed with maturity yet some lively, youthful notes. Lots of ripe fruit characters and fine floral notes. Rich and full in the mouth with array of ripe fruit mingling with dried fruit where apricot is prominent. Very smooth with great texture. Super, lively finish with lots of fruit.

Olof Bergh Solera Brandy

Pale, natural colour. Complex nose with dried fruit, floral backing where lavender is prominent. Ripe fruited mouth with sherry-like tones. Mouth develops some crushed apple, candied orange and some vanilla. Lively flow across the palate with attractive lift in spice filled finish.



2009 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION
Category Award Spirit Producer
Potstill - no age stated Gold   Best in Class Barry & Nephews Muscat Brandy Southern Cape Vineyards
Potstill - 5 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn's Viceroy 5 Year Old Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill - 10 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Joseph Barry 10 Year Old Pot Still Southern Cape Vineyards
Potstill - 12 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve Distell Ltd
Potstill - 18-20 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve Distell Ltd
Blended - Solera Aged Gold   Best in Class Olof Bergh Solera Brandy Henry Tayler & Ries Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Gold KWV Founders Reserve Potstill Brandy KWV Ltd
Potstill - 10 Year Old Gold Van Ryn 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill - 18-20 Year Old Gold KWV 20 Year Old Potstill Brandy KWV Ltd
Blended - no age stated Silver   Best in Class Klipdrift Premium Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill - 8 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Oude Molen 100 Reserve Edward Snell & Co Ltd
Potstill - 14-15 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Oude Molen VOV Edward Snell & Co Ltd
Potstill - Solera Aged Silver   Best in Class Nederburg Solera Potstill Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver Collison's White Gold Potstill Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver Flight of the Fish Eagle Distell Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver Klipdrift Gold Distell Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver KWV Imoya VSOP KWV Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver Oude Meester Demant Distell Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver Richelieu Distell Ltd
Potstill - no age stated Silver Sydney Back NV Backsberg Estate Wines
Potstill - 5 Year Old Silver Joseph Barry 5 Year Old Pot Still Southern Cape Vineyards
Potstill - 5 Year Old Silver Mellow-Wood 5 Distell Ltd
Potstill - 10 Year Old Silver KWV 10 Year Old KWV Ltd
Potstill - 10 Year Old Silver Uitkyk Grand Reserve 10 Year Old
Estate Brandy
Uitkyk Estate
Potstill - 12 Year Old Silver Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old Distell Ltd
Potstill - 14-15 Year Old Silver KWV 15 Year Old KWV Ltd
Potstill - 14-15 Year Old Silver Van Ryn 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve Distell Ltd
Potstill - 18-20 Year Old Silver Oude Meester Sovereign 18 Year Old Distell Ltd
Blended - no age stated Silver African Mishale KWV Ltd
Blended - no age stated Silver Klipdrift Export Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended - no age stated Silver Oude Meester VSOB Distell Ltd
Blended - no age stated Silver Wellington VO Edward Snell & Co Ltd

JUDGES' TASTING NOTES

All Gold Awards and Silver Best in Class Awards


Barry & Nephews Muscat Brandy

Medium, bright gold. Gorgeous Muscat notes lift eagerly from the glass and then followed by hints of apricot and some floral wafts. Gentle flow across the smooth palate with all the flavor promised by the nose building into a lively wave of complex flavours. Super harmony and lively texture. Long, aromatic finish with a delightful honeysuckle twist.

Van Ryn's Viceroy 5 Year Old Brandy

Medium depth of gold. Absorbing nose with aromas of toffee and caramel followed by dried apricots, raisin and hints of sweet tobacco. Great, rolling mouth with flavours deposited across the smooth palate. Seemingly well matured yet lots of fairly youthful vitality. Great balance and fine spirited bounce gives vigour to all the flavour. Long lasting dry finish.

Joseph Barry 10 Year Old Pot Still

2009 Best Brandy in the World Award Winner Medium depth of bright gold. Nose opens with an almost pungent attack where a whole range of ripe fruit aromas pour out. The pace slackens a bit and vanilla becomes apparent while a great floral backing builds up. Pretty spectacular mouth with deep fruit flavours edged by the sweet spice of vanilla. Silky flow across the palate with fine, lively texture. Well integrated and complex mouth with good balance. Some hints of fruitcake lead into a floral, dry finish.

Van Ryn 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve

Bright amber. Complex nose leads with fine display of floral notes where violets and dark rose feature. Followed by a wide range of ripe and dried fruits with dark berries, plum, dried apricot with lots of spice following. Vanilla, cinnamon and sweet tobacco. All meld together in a wonderfully rounded mouth. Great concentration yet all in super, fine balance. Oak plays a subtle but fine supportive role. Rich and mellow with fine mature notes. Elegant with controlled power. Long, flavour and aroma filled finish. A great brandy.

Van Ryn 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve

Deep, old gold. Magnificent nose packed with aged aromatics where dried fruit and spice mix with ripe fruit and honey. Beautiful floral backing with rose, violet and lavender. Mellow, well rounded mouth filled with deep, mature notes. Velvet smooth and fine texture. Everything the nose promised plus fruit cake, orange, marmalade and some ripe tropical fruit. Great complexity and satisfying brandy. To be sipped slowly and thoroughly enjoyed.

Olof Bergh Solera Brandy

Pale gold. Most attractive floral wave at the start of the nose followed by raisin, apricot, bananas, pear and some herb and lavender. Gentle mouth with fine layers of well integrated flavours which follow the nose. Soft and full across the palate where a light clean spirit gives a fine lift to all the fruit flavours. Touch of citrus and spice. Mellow mouth with long, well fruited, dry finish.

KWV Founders Reserve Potstill Brandy

Pale gold. Ever so typical South African brandy nose with dried fruit, apricot and peach. Hints of honey and vanilla. Fine, well rounded mouth with all the nose promised being repeated with some distinctive oak support. Smooth, sweet sensation gives good, soft flow. Mellow mature notes lead into a fairly full, dry finish.

Van Ryn 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy

Bright gold. Attractive nose beckons with wide range of dried fruit where apricot is the main player. Hints of chocolate and sweet tobacco with some marmalade and fruit cake. Beautifully rounded mouth with smooth, silky flow. Mellow and mature with a delightful and graceful elegance. A fine expression of the epitome of modern South African brandy. Clean, good fruit, mature and not over wooded.

KWV 20 Year Old Potstill Brandy

Deep amber. Very attractive, deep rich bouquet where marmalade, fig, orange peel and some caramel notes all meld together. Followed by cloves, cinnamon and vanilla. Deep, flavour-filled mouth where everything the nose had is somehow highlighted in an even fuller flavour. Silky and smooth across the palate with lots of oak support. Good balance. Gracefully mature and satisfying. Long, well extended finish.

Klipdrift Premium Brandy

Pale gold. Attractive nose filled with all manner of fruits but where apricot is the major attraction. Good combination of mellow mature notes along with an attractive youthful flair. Hints of vanilla, tobacco and some prune. Well rounded mouth gives all that the nose suggested. Smooth flow and lively texture. Good balance, fairly complex. Dry finish.

Oude Molen 100 Reserve

Bright amber. Nose opens with very attractive ripe fruit notes with dried apricot and some peach. Followed by fine spice with vanilla in the main and then a light floral note in the background. Silky smooth flow across the palate with flavours following the nose with addition of fig and a hint of sweet tobacco. Mellow and well rounded with a fine balance. Clean, dry finish.

Oude Molen VOV

Pale gold. Very attractive nose filled with dried apricot and backed by lovely floral scents. Smooth and silky in the mouth with fine controlled flow. Flavours spread out across the palate showing apricot, fig, sweet tobacco and some pear. Vanilla is always there as is the fine floral note. Mellow and well rounded. Long, floral finish.

Nederburg Solera Potstill Brandy

Pale gold. Fine, floral nose opens into an aromatic wave of spices, dried fruit and a distinct lavender character. Full fruited mouth where dried apricot comes into full focus. Hints of apple, pear and some citrus develop. Great balance and elegant stance. Lively lift in long, dry finish.

INTERNATIONAL WINE &
SPIRIT COMPETITION
Best Brandy in the World

2009

Joseph Barry 10 Year Old Pot Still
Southern Cape Vineyards

2008

Van Ryn's Collectors Reserve 20 Year Old
Distell Ltd, South Africa

2007

KWV 15 Year Old Brandy
KWV, South Africa

2006

Torres 20
Miguel Torres SA, Spain

2005

Van Ryn's Collection Reserve 12 Year Old
Distell Ltd, South Africa

2004

Van Ryn's Collection Reserve 12 Year Old
Distell Ltd, South Africa

2003

St Agnes Very Old Brandy XO
Angove's Pty, Australia

2002

RMS Alambic Brandy QE 14 Year Old
RMS Distillery

2001

Oude Molen VOV 14 Year Old Brandy
African Wine & Spirits, South Africa

2000

Imoya VSOP Cape Alambic Brandy
KWV, South Africa

1999

Oude Molen VOV 14 Year Old Brandy
Gilbeys Distillers, South Africa

1998

Carmel Brandy 100 - 9 Year Old
Carmel, Israel

1997

Torres 20 Brandy - 8 Year Old
Miguel Torres SA, Spain

1996

Baron Estate 3 Year Old Brandy
Baron Wine Cellars, Israel

1995

Sydney Back Brandy
Backsberg Estate, South Africa

1994

Calvados Boulard
SA Calvados Boulard

1993

Mildara Pot Still Brandy
Mildara, Austalia

1992

Vicchia Romagna Riserva Rara 15 Year Old
Gio Buton Sps, Italy

1991

KWV 10 Year Old Brandy
KWV, South Africa

1990

KWV 20 Year Old Brandy
KWV, South Africa

1989

Cognac Napoleon
Camus la Grande Marque, France

1988

Not awarded

1987

Camus Extra Grance
Camus la Grande Marque, France

1986

Courvoisier XO Cognac
Courvoisier SA, Jarnac

1985

Marnier-Lapostolle Cognac XO
Fine Champagne
Marnier-Lapostolle, France

1984

Camus XO
Camus la Grande Marque, France

1982 - 1983

Not awarded

1981

KWV 10 Year Old Brandy
KWV, South Africa

1980

St Agnes Very Old Brandy
Angove's Pty, Australia

1979

Grande Champagne 1er Cru de Cognac
Jean Fillioux

1978

Grande Champagne 1er Cru de Cognac
Jean Fillioux


2008 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION
Category Award Spirit Producer
12 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old Distell Ltd
14-15 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Oude Molen VOV Edward Snell & Co Ltd
20 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve Distell Ltd
8-10 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver   Best in Class Richelieu Distell Ltd
Potstill – 5 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Mellow Wood 5 Distell Ltd
Potstill – no age stated Silver   Best in Class Klipdrift Gold Distell Ltd
Potstill – Solera Silver   Best in Class Nederburg Solera Potstill Brandy Distell Ltd
VSOP Silver   Best in Class KWV Imoya VSOP WV Ltd
12 Year Old Silver Van Ryn 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve Distell Ltd
14-15 Year Old Silver Van Ryn 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve Distell Ltd
14-15 Year Old Silver KWV 15 Year Old KWV Ltd
20 Year Old Silver KWV 20 Year Old KWV Ltd
8-10 Year Old Silver Oude Molen 100 Reserve Edward Snell & Co
8-10 Year Old Silver Sydney Back Brandy 10 Year Old Backsberg Estate Wines
8-10 Year Old Silver KWV 10 Year Old KWV Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Wellington VO Edward Snell & Co
Blended – no age stated Silver Oude Meester VSOB Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Klipdrift Export Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Klipdrift Premium Brandy Distell Ltd
Blended – no age stated Silver Martell VO Brandy Pernod Ricard South Africa
Blended – no age stated Silver Martell 5 Star Pernod Ricard South Africa
No age stated Silver Sydney Back Brandy Backsberg Estate Wines
Potstill 5 Year Old Silver Van Ryn’s Viceroy 5 Year Old Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill 5 Year Old Silver Wellington VSOB 5 Year Old Edward Snell & Co
Potstill 5 Year Old Silver Joseph Barry Cape Pot Still Brandy Southern Cape Vineyards
Potstill – No age stated Silver Oude Meester Demant Distell Ltd
Potstill – No age stated Silver Flight of the Fish Eagle Distell Ltd
Potstill – No age stated Silver Collison’s White Gold Potstill Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill – No age stated Silver Barry & Nephews Pot Still Brandy Southern Cape Vineyards

2007 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION
Category Award Spirit Producer
Solera Gold   Best in Class Olof Bergh Solera Brandy Henry Tayler & Ries Ltd
Solera Silver Nederburg Potstilled Distell Ltd
10 Year Old Gold   Best in Class Van Ryn’s 10 Year Old Vintage Brandy Distell Ltd
10 Year Old Silver KWV 10 Year Brandy KWV International
10 Year Old Silver Sydney Back 10 Year Old Brandy Backsberg Estate Wines
12 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve Distell Ltd
15 Year Old Gold   Best in Class WV 15 Year Brandy KWV International
15 Year Old Bronze Van Ryn’s 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve Distell Ltd
20 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Van Ryn’s 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve Distell Ltd
20 Year Old Silver KWV 20 Year Old Brandy KWV International
5 Year Old Silver   Best in Class Mellow-Wood Distell Ltd
5 Year Old Silver KWV 5 Year Old Brandy KWV International
5 Year Old Silver Viceroy 5 Year Old Distell Ltd
No age stated Silver   Best in Class African Spear KWV
No age stated Silver Klipdrift Export Distell Ltd
No age stated Silver Klipdrift Premium Distell Ltd
No age stated Silver Martell VO Brandy Pernod Ricard SA
No age stated Silver Oude Meester Distell Ltd
No age stated Silver Richelieu Export Liqueur Brandy Distell Ltd
No age stated Silver Sydney Back Brandy NV acksberg Estate Wines
No age stated Bronze Martell 5 Star Brandy Pernod Ricard SA
Potstill no age stated Gold   Best in Class Klipdrift Gold Distell Ltd
Potstill no age stated Silver Barry & Nephew Cape Potstill Brandy Southern Cape Vineyards
Potstill no age stated Silver Joseph Barry Cape Potstill Brandy Southern Cape Vineyards
Potstill no age stated Silver Laborie Alambic 5 Year Brandy KWV International
Potstill no age stated Bronze Collison’s White Gold Potstilled Brandy Distell Ltd
Potstill no age stated Bronze Flight of the Fish Eagle Distell Ltd
Potstill no age stated Bronze Sir George Potstill Brandy Napier Winery
VSOP Silver   Best in Class KWV Imoya VSOP Brand KWV International

< back to Awards