Press Releases
Chivas Brothers Named IWSC Distiller of the Year at International Wine & Spirit Competition
New York, NY (December 3, 2009) – Pernod Ricard USA® is proud to announce that Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, was named IWSC Distiller of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London. The competition’s top award for spirits producer is the result of Chivas Brothers’ unmatched tally of trophy and medal wins including the Trophies for best gin for Beefeater 24, and best single malt Scotch whisky under 15 years for Strathisla as well as eight Gold Best in Class medals across the portfolio.
The Trophy for Best Gin was presented to Beefeater® Master Distiller Desmond Payne. Beefeater Gin has received this Trophy an impressive seven times in the last ten years, emphasising its position as the most authoritative gin brand in the world.
Matt Aeppli, Senior Vice President Spirits Marketing for Pernod Ricard USA said: “Winning the IWSC Distiller of the Year award as well as such a wide range of awards across our portfolio is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our Master Blenders and Distillers. This independent and prestigious endorsement highlights to our consumers and trade partners here in the U.S. and throughout the world that Pernod Ricard is the authority on Scotch whisky and premium gin. We are thrilled to toast the success of our many superior quality international brands.”
The International Wine & Spirit Competition is the premier competition of its kind in the world and acknowledges the ultimate achievement. It represents a benchmark of excellence and has been held annually for the last 40 years to reward outstanding quality among the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Winners are selected following a rigorous blind tasting carried out by a judging panel headed by some of the industry’s most influential members. 500 guests attended the event last night including some of the most highly regarded figures within the wine & spirit industry.
Following on from the success at the IWSC, Chivas Brothers has been awarded the title of Grand Spirits Master at The Spirits Business magazine’s Spirits Masters awards ceremony. The Grand Spirits Master is the ‘best of the best’ award selected from all entrants into the magazine’s Scotch Whisky Masters, Gin Masters, Liqueur Masters and Vodka Masters competitions in 2009. The Spirits Business is the only international trade title solely dedicated to the spirits industry and is the leading authority on the global market.
IWSC Awards 2009
IWSC Distiller of the Year 2009 – Chivas Brothers
UK Distillery of the Year 2009 – Chivas Brothers
Trophy
IWSC Greenalls Gin Trophy – Beefeater 24
Single Malt Scotch Whisky (15 years and under) Trophy - Strathisla 12 Year Old
Gold Best in Class
Strathisla® 12 Year Old
Royal Salute™ The Hundred Cask Selection No 6
Aberlour® 18 Year Old
The Glenlivet® 21 Year Old
The Glenlivet® 25 Year Old
Scapa® 16 Year Old
Beefeater® Gin 47%
Beefeater 24™
Gold
Ballantine’s Limited
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The Spirits Business magazine’s Spirits Masters 2009
Grand Spirits Master – Chivas Brothers
Grand Gin Master– Chivas Brothers
About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group.
In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA’s leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Martell® Cognac, Malibu® flavored Rum, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite Champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 employees across the country.
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.