The Global Spirits Masters blind tasting competition was launched in 2008 by international spirits magazine and website The Spirits Business and prides itself on the use of only independent judges. Entrants from across the globe are judged according to category, over the period of a year, with the best expressions singled out at an awards ceremony in London, in December. Categories assessed thus far this year include: tequila, rum, liqueurs, and cognac.
The quality of South African brandy is underpinned by some of the most stringent legislation in the world - it must be distilled twice in copper potstills and aged for a minimum of three years in oak casks. The result has been that South African brandies are consistently voted best in the world at international competitions, such as the International Spirits Challenge and the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Now, in their latest assessment of South African potstill brandies, the Brandy Masters judging panel questioned why people would choose entry-level cognac over the South African brandies.
The most successful category evaluated on the day was South African potstill brandies matured 13 years and over. Every entrant in “the bumper flight” received a medal.
The judging report concluded by saying “there’s no reason why we shouldn’t see more South African brandies on the European market”.
The panel comprised a varied field, including four whisky specialists; a member of the select Company of Armagnac Musketeers; the bar manager at The Library Bar at The Lanesborough five-star hotel; and, a director at Rémy Cointreau UK.
The medal winners were:
