The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is one of the most prestigious and rigorous blind tasting competitions in the world
Recognising and rewarding the very best in the wine and spirits industry, the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is one of the most prestigious and rigorous blind tasting competitions in the world, and this year Atom Brands is celebrating after winning seven gold medals.
The impressive haul includes a Gold Outstanding medal for That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Islay #2 25 Year Old, which excelled in the Scotch – Islay – Single Malt – 18-25YO – 43-45%+ category.
Judges commented on its “good level of peat on the nose, which rises from the glass like a delicate peat fire fueling a steam ship”.
Two other expressions from That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s range also won gold medals, with the Caledonian 33 Year Old receiving an award in the Whisky – Scotch – Single Grain – 22-33 YO – Cask Strength (50-52%+) category and the Blended Malt #1 23 Year Old claiming a gold medal in the Whisky – Scotch – Blended Malt – 12-23 YO group.
A number of other spirits across Atom Brands’ extensive portfolio were also awarded gold medals, including The Handmade Cocktail Company’s Old Fashioned in the Cocktails – Whisky Base category, which judges called “a simply wonderful example”.
Three Darkness! whiskies also received gold medals
Three Darkness! whiskies also received gold medals; the Bladnoch 27 YO Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Whisky – Scotch – Single Malt – Lowland – 27 YO – Cask Finish & Cask Strength 56%+), the Tobermory 22 YO Moscatel Cask Finish (Whisky – Scotch – Island – Single Malt – 12 – 22 YO – Cask Finish) and the Blended Malt 20 YO Moscatel Cask Finish (Whisky – Scotch – Blended Malt – 20 YO – Cask Finish).
These impressive accolades are just the latest in a series of wins for Atom Brands, including The Handmade Cocktail Company being named Pre-Mixed Producer of the Year in the International Spirits Challenge, and winning 12 medals in the Gin Masters for Ableforth’s and That Boutique-y Gin Company.
We’re absolutely delighted to have scooped a veritable armful of gold medals at this year’s IWSC awards.
The IWSC’s blind-tasting format combined with the exceptional quality of the judging panels provides us with hugely invaluable and objectively neutral feedback. The ‘quality-first’ approach we take when developing liquids and selecting casks has paid off once again, and we couldn’t be happier.
– Ben Ellefsen: Managing Director of Atom Brands
