At Artistry in Sandton, spirit producers and enthusiasts convened to celebrate the pinnacle of the spirit industry at The Trophy Spirits Show.

• Sponsored by Investec, the event is the only competition in South Africa that rigorously assesses a diverse range of international and local high-end spirits available to consumers in the country.
• The show’s judging methodology, rooted in the esteemed system developed by the Trophy Wine Show, ensures credibility and respect within the industry.
• Key features include three-person judging panels, with at least one international specialist invited to South Africa specifically for the event.
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The 2024 edition of the Trophy Spirits Show showcased an impressive breadth and depth of entries across all categories. The trust placed in the judging panels by producers and importers of high-end products was evident. This year, the competition received 106 entries from 17 producers and distributors, encompassing 56 brands across seven categories. The whisk(e)y classes dominated with 33 entries, primarily from Scotland, along with submissions from South Africa and Ireland. This category included malt, grain, and blended whiskies, as well as pot-still whiskeys, highlighting the event’s esteemed reputation with major brands participating.

The gin classes also saw significant participation, with entries spread across London Dry, Distilled, and Flavoured Gin categories. These included both local craft submissions and international entries. Brandy was well represented with pot-still submissions from the Cape and France (Cognac). Reflecting the global surge in interest, tequila/agave and rum classes also saw strong entries. Vodkas and cream liqueurs completed the diverse judging line-up.

For the first time in the competition’s history, a panel could not distinguish between its two top-scoring products, leading to a shared trophy for the best whisky between the top grain and the top malt. Van Ryn’s secured the coveted brandy trophy with their Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 Years, amidst the ongoing competition between France and South Africa for the brandy crown.

The post-Covid resurgence of craft gin producers was evident, with 26 gins entered. Gold medals were awarded in both the London Dry and Flavoured Gin classes, signifying the recovery and growth of the industry.

Entries hailed from a wide array of regions, including England, Ireland, Scandinavia, Italy, the Caribbean, Scotland’s highlands, Mexico’s deserts, and the villages of Cognac. South Africa was well-represented with 54 different brandies, liqueurs, whiskies, and gins from the Cape and Gauteng. The significant number of gold medals and trophies awarded to South African entries underscored the skill and craft of local distillers and validated Investec’s support for an industry contributing substantially to employment and the national GDP.

Esteemed international specialists, such as the world’s leading gin judge David T Smith, Louise Martin (Whisky) from Scotland, and Claire Blackler MW (Brandy and Rums) from the UK, joined local panellists for the first time. These experts shared their knowledge with South African judges and associates, including Andy Watts, Neil Paterson, Dr. Mare-Loe Prinsloo, Carla Weightman, Sean Gunns, and Leah van Deventer. The associate judges were Jason McEvoy, Anriënka Vlok van Zyl, and Sulette Oelofse, with show convenor Michael Fridjhon serving as Chairman of the Judges.

The competition featured 106 samples across seven classes: 33 whiskies, 26 gins, 22 brandies and cognacs, with vodkas, tequilas, rums, and liqueurs comprising the remaining 25 entries. The rigorous judging process resulted in 11 gold medals, 37 silvers, 36 bronzes, and 11 Best in Class trophies.

Trophy and Gold Winners:

• Best Pot-distilled Brandy: Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 Years
• Best Grain Whisk(e)y: Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky – Single Grain Double-Matured
• Best Malt Whisk(e)y: Tomatin 2012 Single Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – WhiskyBrother Exclusive
• Best London Gin: Amarula Premium African Gin
• Best Single Pot Still Whisk(e)y: Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
• Best Blended Whisk(e)y: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
• Best Vodka: Absolut Elyx Vodka
• Best Flavoured Gin: Cape Fynbos Gin – Citrus Edition
• Best Cognac: Martell XO Cognac
• Best Tequila: Avion Reposado Tequila
• Best Liqueur: Wild Africa Caffé Latte Cream Liqueur

Gold Medal Winners:

• Bisquit & Dubouché Cognac V.S.O.P.
• Frapin Grande Champagne Cognac 1270
• Gordon’s London Dry Gin
• Inverroche Amber Gin
• Inverroche Verdant Gin
• Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years
• KWV Alambic Blend Potstill Brandy 15 Year Old
• Metanoia Klein Karoo Gin
• Richelieu Vintage Brandy 10 Year Old
• SKYY Vodka
• The Singleton of Dufftown Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years Old

The Trophy Spirits Show continues to be a beacon of excellence, celebrating the craftsmanship and quality of spirits from South Africa and around the world.

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