Old Pulteney 2006 International Wine & Spirits Awards

[John]

A LEADING Scottish distiller has been toasting success after it won a clutch of awards for its whisky range in a prestigious competition.

The Airdrie-based Inver House Distillers beat off stiff competition from around the world to land the highest accolade possible - gold: best of class - for its flagship Old Pulteney 12-year-old single malt whisky at the 2006 International Wine & Spirit Competition, which was judged in London and attracted more than 6,000 entries from 73 countries.

Other Inver House brands that won top medals included Balblair Single Malt, anCnoc Single Malt, Speyburn Single Malt, Heather Cream Liqueur and further line extensions for Old Pulteney, bringing the total awards count for the independent company to twelve.

Karen Walker, marketing manager of Inver House Distillers, was particularly pleased with the recognition that Old Pulteney received.

"The whole team at Inver House, from distilling to sales, have worked hard to ensure that the brand has enjoyed a growing reputation as a superb malt whisky," she added.

These latest awards build upon what has been already a successful year for Inver House Distillers. Last month, Balblair 35-year-old and Balblair 38-year-old won gold at the Drinks International Spirits Challenge, while in March, top medals for Old Pulteney and Balblair were also awarded at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The group owns and operates five distilleries - Pulteney, Balblair, Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balmenach - which contribute to sales of single malt and blended Scotch whiskies to over 85 countries.

Source: The Scotsman Newspaper