KWV crowned ‘Best Brandy and Cognac Producer in the World’

KWV Master Distiller Pieter de Bod receives the award from Brandy educator Marie Cheong-Thong and Shay Waterworth, editor of Drinks International. Picture: Supplied

KWV Master Distiller Pieter de Bod receives the award from Brandy educator Marie Cheong-Thong and Shay Waterworth, editor of Drinks International. Picture: Supplied

Published Oct 8, 2024

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KWV has been crowned “Producer of the Year’“ at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge (ISC), a significant honour in the global drinks industry.

Recognised as one of the world’s best-performing drinks producers, KWV was celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony at One George Street, London, attended by the crème de la crème of the global drinks industry.

KWV triumphed over Brandy and Cognac competitors worldwide, earning the coveted “Producer of the Year” title in the fiercely contested Brandy and Cognac category.

This is the sixth time the brand has received this prestigious award.

The International Spirits Challenge is the most authoritative and influential competition in the world of spirits, involving blind assessments by an expert panel of more than 70 world-renowned figures, including spirits writers, authors, Master Distillers, and independent experts.

Further adding to its list of accolades, KWV also clinched the trophy for the “World’s Best Brandy” for its KWV VS.

Launched in 2023, KWV VS Brandy has emerged as a formidable competitor to VS Cognacs, offering premium quality at a more affordable price.

These recent wins follow KWV's earlier performance in August, when its brandies secured three double gold medals in the Brandy category, where only six double golds were awarded globally.

“Winning Brandy/Cognac Producer of the Year and the Trophy for our KWV VS is an incredible honour and a testament to our team's commitment to excellence,” said John Loomes, CEO of KWV.

KWV is the world’s most awarded Brandy and Cognac brand, having earned more than double the number of accolades compared to its closest local competitors.

KWV Master Distiller Pieter de Bod. Picture: Supplied

Loomes added, “KWV’s most recent success at the ISC once again illustrates that South African brandies can challenge renowned global and legacy brands head-on, and win.”

The ISC is often referred to as the "Olympics" of the spirits industry, with fewer than 2% of thousands of entries receiving trophies this year, making KWV's achievement even more remarkable.

Each spirit is evaluated by category, age, region, and style, ensuring a fair and thorough assessment that upholds the competition’s esteemed reputation. KWV was one of only 46 entrants to earn a trophy from thousands of global competitors.

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