The renowned KWV 10 Year Old brandy has been awarded best brandy in the world for a second time at this year’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC). A true South African gem, this fine brandy also received this Trophy in 2007. Announced at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London earlier this week, the ISC celebrates excellence and quality in spirits.

This honour was awarded by a specialist panel of master blenders, master distillers, importers and independent experts in a blind tasting judging based on aroma, appearance and taste.

Kobus Gelderblom, Chief Brandy Master at KWV, was honoured by this exceptional achievement. “We distilled our first brandy in 1926 and released it as a 10 Year Old brandy in 1936. To have the 10 Year Old awarded with this trophy is a reflection of the quality of our products. The KWV 15 Year Old was also the only other Gold medal winner in the Potstill brandy category”, says Gelderblom.

These medals are internationally recognised symbols of quality and reflect the superiority of South African produced brandy. “Within South Africa we adhere to strict legislation with regards to brandy production”, he said. “Adhering to legislation has ensured that we have excellent distillation, ageing and blending facilities. Only using the best quality grapes for brandy production is essential. Colombard and Chenin Blanc grapes are suitable and we add Pinotage or Cinsaut to our older brandies.” The KWV 10 Year Old – a vintage brandy with a deep amber colour, complex full bodied palate and rich, lingering after- taste, is a timeless classic. Matured in oak barrels for a minimum period of 10 years, this brandy has citrus and raspberry aromas, with a complexblend of peach and apricot flavours underpinned by spicy nutty notes.

Last Saturday KWV made history by winning the most double gold and gold medals ever by one cellar at the South African 2011 Veritas Awards. This included five double gold and nine gold medals across the brandy and wine category. The KWV 15 Year Old was awarded with a double gold while the Imoya VSOP, Laborie Alambic (KWV’s estate brandy) and the KWV 10 and 20 Year Old each received a gold award. The KWV 3 and 5 Year Old each won a silver medal resulting in KWV winning seven awards for their seven brandy entries. Last year celebrated the introduction of brandy to this sovereign wine competition. The Veritas Awards is the longest running and most prestigious wine competition in South Africa and including brandy as a category provides the brandy industry a major local platform to compete on.

“It is a great achievement winning both international and local awards and shows real consistency in excellence throughout the world. None of this would have been possible without our wonderful and dedicated teams within the vineyards right through to the blending cellar”, concludes Gelderblom.