South Africa’s Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has collected various awards at two prestigious spirits competitions, including top recognition for its travel retail exclusive whisky trio.

The range of 18yo sherry cask-finished whiskies, which launched exclusively in travel retail last year, recognises the vision of Founder Distiller, Andy Watts and was successful at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The triumph followed a late tasting due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Double Gold medal was awarded for the Bain’s Oloroso Cask Finish Single Grain Whisky, while a gold medal was handed out for Bain’s Fino Cask Finish Single Grain Whisky. The Bain’s PX Cask Finish Single Grain Whisky was acknowledged with a silver medal.

The oldest whisky to date launched in South Africa, Bain’s 18yo was crafted at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

Fino is the lightest and driest of all the sherries, while Oloroso contributes a multitude of flavours. PX brings a dark ebony colour to the whisky with deep red fruit flavours. All three whiskies are bottled at 50.5% ABV.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition awards follow success at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Awards, at which Bain’s and Watts were crowned winners in two categories. Watts scooped World Whisky Ambassador of the Year and The James Sedgwick Distillery, the home of Bain’s, was named Sustainable Distillery of the Year.

Andy Watts, Head of Whisky, Intrinsic Excellence, Distell and Founder Distiller, Bain’s said: “To receive such prestigious awards during these unprecedented times is a true honour and a great boost for everybody at Distell.

“It is a very proud moment for all involved and, importantly, the accolades are a further step in putting South African whiskies on the map.

“This welcome positive news gives us all a renewed sense of hope as we look to emerge from the crisis stronger than ever and prepare to launch three more travel retail exclusive whiskies later this year.”