Beam Suntory has been recognised for the quality of several of its products with a series of medals at this year’s 47th International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

 

The respected worldwide competition saw prestigious awards for both Jim Beam Black Bourbon and Knob Creek Rye Whiskey, which received the Bourbon Trophy and Worldwide Whiskey Trophy in their respective categories.

 

As the highest of accolades in the IWSC, these trophies are presented to only one product per category each year.

 

COMPANY ‘HONOURED’

Commenting on the awards, Beam Suntory Chairman and CEO Matt Shattock said: “Our products are made with the utmost craftsmanship and care, so we are honoured that their premium quality and exceptional taste have been recognized by such a prestigious blind tasting competition.

 

“We’re especially proud to see expressions from two of our most iconic brands, Jim Beam Black and Knob Creek Rye, lauded as the ‘best of the best’ in their categories this year.

 

“This is a wonderful tribute to Master Distiller Fred Noe and our immensely talented team at our distilleries in Kentucky, all of whom work hard to exceed consumers’ expectations every day.”

In addition to trophy wins for Jim Beam Black and Knob Creek Rye, Beam Suntory’s portfolio also received 44 medals in total, including multiple Gold and Gold Outstanding awards. The company says that the Gold award indicates the product is of superior quality and the Gold Outstanding award recognizes that the product is of the highest quality.

 

 

BEAM SUNTORY’S BIG WINNERS

The awards to Suntory-owned produicts were as follows: El Tesoro Anejo Tequila – Gold Outstanding; Jim Beam Black – Gold Outstanding; Knob Creek Rye Whiskey – Gold Outstanding; Auchentoshan 18 Year Old – Gold; Bowmore® 18 Year Old – Gold; Bowmore 25 Year Old – Gold; Tesoro Reposado Tequila – Gold; Knob Creek Bourbon – Gold; and Laphroaig Triple Wood – Gold.

The IWSC competition organisers say they judge spirits with dedicated tasting premises, a permanent onsite cellar, and utilising more than 400 global experts who judge products seven months a year.

Suntory added: “To determine the winners, IWSC judges conduct a double-blind tasting for each entry, which is followed by a chemical analysis to test the liquid’s composition. Spirits that win top awards go through a second round of judging to compete for a trophy.”