Medal Streak for International Beverage Holdings

International Beverage Holdings is celebrating an extraordinary haul of honours in the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

The Airdrie-based distiller won an impressive 16 awards across its portfolio of Scotch whiskies, which includes Old Pulteney, anCnoc, Balblair and Speyburn single malts and Hankey Bannister, MacArthur’s and Catto’s blended Scotch whiskies.

In total, the company picked up three gold awards, all of which were ‘Best in Class’ and a further 13 silver awards, of which two were ‘Best in Class’.

International Beverage Holdings owns five distilleries across Scotland (Pulteney, Balblair, Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balmenach) and manages the production, distillation and maturation of a broad portfolio of drinks brands in markets across the globe.

This unprecedented array of results is significant for the forward-thinking company whose brands continue to go from strength to strength in both international and domestic markets.

Old Pulteney Scotch Whisky is one of the fastest-growing single malt brands in the UK off-trade, with sales increasing 62% in the 12 months to June (souce: AC Nielsen).

Karen Walker, marketing director at International Beverage Holdings, said: "We’re absolutely thrilled with our wins from this inaugural competition.

"Scooping 16 awards is a great reflection of the quality and craftsmanship of our whiskies and the passion and enthusiasm of the team behind them."

Each of these globally respected international awards follows a rigorous two-stage judging process of blind tastings and detailed technical analysis by a panel of industry experts.

The awards received are testament to the quality of the products and the great work of each of the distilleries.

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. With entries from over 80 countries, it aims to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

International Beverage Holdings was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of southeast Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

Find out about other Scottish winners in the IWSC - see the previous story on Scotland Food & Drink.

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