Caol Ila Distillers Edition has won a major prize at this years San Francisco World Spirits Competition. After three days of judging against dozens of single malt Scotch whiskies, it was awarded the accolade of “Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky”. Caol Ila Distillers Edition undergoes a second (or ‘double’) maturation in casks that have previously held a fortified wine. This extraordinarily stylish and complex expression of Caol Ila has been double-matured in carefully selected Moscatel casks. The wood is not over-evident and instead balances perfectly with this richly flavoured single malt. This prize winning Islay dram is bottled at 43% ABV.

Caol Ila Distillers Edition is not new to expert praise. It won Gold – Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2009, Gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2009 and 2010, and Gold at the Scotch Whisky Masters in 2010. The supreme "Best" award, won this year by Caol Ila Distillers Edition, is given after an extensive multiple-round judging process running over three days. The limited number of bottlings that qualify for a Double Gold Medal (which happens when the judging panel is unanimous in its assessment of a Gold Medal award) may, if the judges unanimously agree again, progress further to compete for honours in a wider super category. This "super panel" of judges then re-assess the selected Double Gold winners with a view to deciding the "Best of" category awards: a process that takes the better part of the final day, nosing, tasting, evaluating and voting the best of the best in each category. Continue reading.....

Most of the other Islay distilleries won double gold medals and other prizes as well. Ardbeg won a Double Gold Medal for Uigeadail, Bowmore won a Double Gold Medal for its 15 Year Old bottling, Lagavulin won a Double Gold Medal for their 16 Year Old Distiller's Edition, Bunnahabhain won two Double Gold Medals for their 18 Year Old and 25 Year old and last but not least Laphroaig, they won three Double Gold Medals for their 10 Year Old, 10 Year Old Cask Strength and 18 Year Old. Bruichladdich and Kilchoman don't appear in the list which means that they didn't participate in the competition. For the full list of results have a look at the 2011 PDF file. Congratulations to all!

Tag: caol ila laphroaig lagavulin ardbeg bowmore bunnahabhain