The recent unveiling of top performers at the esteemed International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has once again re-affirmed that, in the eyes of the world, South African brandy remains a pinnacle of excellence. Not only did local brandy makers receive 18 medals at this year’s event, but exactly half of those awarded to South African-distilled spirits were also the only recipients of gold.
The South Africans were presented with awards across every category from whisky to gin, but it was South African brandy that brought home the top honours. Of just 17 gold medals awarded in the category, comprising entries from 26 countries, two went to South African brandies. These were for the KWV 20-year-old XXO Brandy and Viceroy 10-year-old brandy.
South Africa’s medal winning brandies at IWSC were: Klipdrfit Export Brandy and Premium Brandy; KWV 10 YO Barrel Select Pot Still Brandy, 12 YO Small Batch Pot Still Brandy, 15 YO Alambic Blend Pot Still Brandy, 20 YO XXO Pot Still Brandy, 3 YO Pot Still Brandy and 5 YO Pot Still Brandy; Olof Bergh Solera Brandy; Richelieu 10 YO Brandy, 8 YO Pot Still Brandy and International Premium Brandy; Van Ryn’s 10 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; 12 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; 15 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; and 20 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; and, Viceroy 10 YO Brandy and 5 YO Brandy.
In awarding gold to the KWV 20 Year Old XXO Brandy, the judges described it as “bold and authoritative. [It is] densely layered nose of cedar, sandalwood and honeycomb caramel, with grape and candied orange peel notes. Soft muscat character on the palate, revealing all-spice and cinnamon alongside caramelised pineapple before a warm, spicy finish.”
The panel said of the gold-winning Viceroy 10 YO brandy that it was “elegantly nutty on the nose with a wonderfully evolving mouth-feel full of the joyous flavours of plump raisins, floral saffron, earthy nutmeg and sweet honey. [It] boasts a delightfully long, crispy, dry finish with a delectable trace of melodious maple spice.”
