Distell brandies continued with their impressive run in world-class competitions by taking no fewer than four double gold and seven gold medals at the 2010 Veritas Awards.
Leading the pack was Van Ryn’s with two double gold awards and two golds in the potstill brandy category, with its 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve and 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve winning double gold and the 10 Year Old Vintage and 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve taking gold. Earlier this year, the 10 Year Old Vintage also won a gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge, while the 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve and the 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve were both awarded gold medals (best in class) at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). The 15 Year Old also took gold in the International Spirits Challenge (ISC).
“With both local and international gold awards under its belt, it is once again a confirmation that Van Ryn's brandy is certainly of the best in the world,” says Adele Ankiewicz, spokesperson for Distell’s brandy portfolio.
Oude Meester Reserve 12 Year Old and Klipdrift Gold also received double gold awards in the potstill brandy category at Veritas, while Oude Meester Demant walked off with a gold medal. Gold medals in the potstill brandy category were also awarded to Collison’s White Gold and Nederburg Solera Brandy.In the standard brandy category, Klipdrift Export and Oude Meester VSOB took gold to complete a near whitewash for the Distell brandy portfolio. Klipdrift Export was also awarded gold earlier this year at the IWSC, while Oude Meester VSOB took gold (best in class) at the same competition.
The panel of local and international judges at Veritas follows strict international guidelines and all tastings are done “blind”. Individual judges allocate points on a 20-point scale whereafter the marks are discussed and consensus reached.
A double gold medal is awarded to a wine or brandy that scores 18 or more out of 20, while a score of 17 points ensures a wine or brandy a gold medal. Silver implies a score of 16 points and bronze a score of 15 points.Veritas, the “Oscars” of wine competitions, celebrates two decades as South Africa’s leading and most respected competition for quality market-ready wines this year. This year brandy was invited to join the proud Veritas tradition along with the almost 1 700 wines entered by about 300 producers for the 2010 tastings.
The Veritas Awards give recognition to wines and brandies of exceptional quality and the distinctive Veritas symbol of excellence serves as an authoritative quality guideline for wine lovers and connoisseurs.
Asked why Veritas has finally introduced a South African brandy category to this prestigious competition, veteran distiller, wine and spirits writer, national and international judge, consultant and Brandy Guild member Dave Hughes replied: “I think it was an excellent opportunity for our brandies that do so exceptionally well in major international competitions to compete in a top local arena and showcase their greatness to local consumers through the resultant marketing and media attention.
“The two, wine and brandy, rest side by side and often, to me, are so entwined that it’s difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins.“Modern South African brandies have a pureness that others are still striving to achieve. Yet, despite this high level of purity or ‘cleanness’, they still have loads of flavour and character. We are also special in that we make brandies of different types and styles to cater for both the mixer and sipping markets. We do not try to make one brandy to please all.”
He added that contemporary South Africans should be exploring South African brandies as the modern spirit of the nation.
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