Press Releases
Inver House Strike Gold in US
Old Pulteney, Balblair & Speyburn Whiskies Receive Ultimate 'World Accolade'
Date: 29th May 2005
Inver House Distillers - one of Scotland's fastest growing distillers - have excelled in a competition that pitted 701 spirits from 52 countries against one another. The Airdrie-based company's 'exceptional whiskies' were recognised at the prestigious 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition - one of the industry's most respected and acclaimed international events, results of which were released yesterday evening.
Old Pulteney 17 year old Single Malt, Old Pulteney 21 year old Single Malt, Old Pulteney 12 year old Single Malt, Balblair 16 year old Single Malt and Speyburn 10 year old Single Malt attained Double Gold, Gold and Bronze medals between them, impressing all 19 judges with complex and carefully crafted flavours in a blind, impartial taste-test.
Old Pulteney - Two Double Gold and Bronze
Top marks went to Old Pulteney, whose excellence was recognised for a second year with the ultimate Double Gold decoration - not once, but twice. Both its 17 year old and 21 years old were celebrated with the top honour. Its 12 year old whisky also achieved Bronze Medal. This is the latest accolade for Old Pulteney; a single malt that is quickly gaining an impressive reputation amongst whisky lovers and connoisseurs.
Produced at the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, Old Pulteney's wind-swept coastal location in Wick, combined with its maritime heritage and faint flavour of the sea, has meant that it is affectionately known as 'The Genuine Maritime Malt'.
Balblair - Double Gold
The smooth, delicate and refreshing taste of Balblair 16 year old attracted much interest and was also awarded the esteemed Double Gold Medal. Known as the 'Spirit of the Air', Balblair Distillery's location in Edderton is key to the whisky's flavour as the area is considered to have the purest air in Scotland. Swept across the vast expanse of the North Sea and along the Dornoch Firth by winds born in the Arctic, it is this air that gives Balblair a sharp, clean edge; and the edge over competitors in San Francisco.
Speyburn - Gold
Finally, Speyburn 10 year old took the third Inver House prize with a Gold Medal. Distilled in the famous Speyside region, Speyburn has been noted for having the characteristics of a classic Speyside malt and is produced in Scotland's most photographed distillery, nestled in the hills of the picture-perfect location of Rothes. Described as 'an intriguing dram', Speyburn is medium-bodied with a delicate, fruity character.
Karen Walker of Inver House Distillers commented; "This is a fantastic result for the team at Inver House; to achieve three Double Gold, a Gold and a Bronze medal at a worldwide competition is an incredible feat for a medium-sized distiller and we're very proud. From our distillery managers to our sales team, as a company we strive both for innovation and the very best quality in all we produce and have endeavoured to develop a portfolio packed full of the most excellent whiskies. We're delighted to be recognised in such a tough and respected competition.
"We work to create quality single malts that offer a truly different and special taste, which is reflected in consumers' appreciation as well as great relationships with our distributors and retailers."
Held earlier this month, the annual event - the most comprehensive international spirits competition to be held in the U.S - was founded five years ago and has since established a reputation for outstanding judging. This year, the World Spirits' panel enjoyed products in 67 different spirit classifications on a 'blind tasting' basis, ensuring strict impartiality. In all, the judges tasted 701 spirits from 52 countries over 6 continents.
The event's judges include noted restaurateurs, hoteliers, spirit buyers, and spirit journalists. The Competition Director and leading spirits authority in the US, Antony Dias Blue noted:
"The San Francisco World Spirits Competition receives entries from some of the best spirits worldwide every year and we have to match that calibre with top quality judges showing consistency and objective evaluation. These factors create a highly successful environment to host one of the world's largest spirit competitions."
For further information, please contact Pamela Scobbie or Victoria Calder of Burt Greener Communications on +44 (0) 141 248 6007.