Distell named Distiller of the Year for 2015

Johan Venter

What clinched it this year were two category trophies, five Gold outstanding and 11 Gold Medals. The company took the Best Worldwide Brandy trophy for the Van Ryn's 12 Year Old potstill made using the traditional technique of cognac, while the Best Worldwide Whisky trophy was awarded to the Three Ships Single Malt 10 Year Old.

The coup comes hot on the heels of three significant wins at the New York International Spirits Competition, where the company's Van Ryn's Distillery was crowned Brandy Producer of the Year, and the James Sedgwick Distillery, the Best International Whisky Distillery of the Year. Distell also won the title of South African Distiller of the Year and bagged five Gold Medals. The New York International Spirits Competition, part of the International Beverage Competitions Group, drew entries from 35 countries.

Commenting on the wins, Distell's primary production director, Johan Venter, said: "We are enormously proud of these achievements and the confidence they convey in the intrinsic quality of our products. It's a great mark of affirmation to attain the IWSC distinction in what is essentially a peer-reviewed competition and it speaks to the extensive expertise and teamwork behind our brands. Similarly, in New York, the panel is drawn from top industry, hospitality and retail expertise. However, we see these as more than gains for Distell. They represent gains for the entire South African spirits industry."