Beam Suntory premium whiskies Jim Beam Black and Knob Creek Rye have each taken Trophy honours at the 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition, in London.
The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has been operating for 47 years, and pits the world’s best expressions against each other in a ruthless double-blind and analysis test.
Possessing its own cellar and dedicated tasting premise, the IWSC engages over 400 global experts to participate in blind tastings. This is followed by chemical analysis of the liquid’s composition. Winners of top awards are put through a second round of judging, competing for a Trophy. Only one Trophy is awarded each year per category.
This month in London, the aged-longer Jim Beam Black was crowned for the ‘Bourbon’ category, and Knob Creek Rye for ‘Worldwide Whiskey’.
Beam Suntory formed in 2014 and is now one of the world’s largest producers of premium spirits, with annual sales exceeding $4bn. The company reports it is “honoured” to receive the recognition of the craft behind the popular lines.
“We’re especially proud to see expressions from two of our most iconic brands, Jim Beam Black and Knob Creek Rye, lauded as the ‘best of the best’ in their categories this year,” says Matt Shattock, Chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory.
“This is a wonderful tribute to Master Distiller Fred Noe and our immensely talented team at our distilleries in Kentucky, all of whom work hard to exceed consumers’ expectations every day.”
Coca-Cola Amatil is the exclusive sales and distribution agent for the Jim Beam bourbon range across Australia, as part a long-term agreement with Beam Suntory.