Distell takes home prestigious UK award

COMMITMENT and focus have paid off handsomely for leading South African wine and spirits group, Distell, judged Distiller of the Year at the 2007 International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. In walking off with one of the most prestigious awards of its kind, Distell trounced a number of large-scale companies owning global brands and many famous-name specialist producers, including a sizeable portion of the whisky fraternity. There were more than 340 entries from Scotland alone. Distell’s brandy portfolio came away with two gold and eight silver medals as well as four best-of-class ratings, while Mainstay outclassed Russian, Polish and Finnish producers to take the trophy for the best vodka. Amarula, South Africa’s biggest liquor brand in the international market, won for the best liqueur. Hennie Heyl, Distell’s director of primary production, said while South Africa had to date been internationally better known for its wines, it was starting to build an impressive reputation for other alcoholic beverages too.