Independent Bottlers Challenge 2010

[Matt2]

Independent Bottlers Challenge 2010

We showcase the results from this year's Independent Bottlers' Challenge

Reaching its sixth year, this competition has really set the benchmark for Independent bottlers. The challenge was created to show off the best this sector has to offer. The Independents are widely acknowledged as offering the whisker lover something different from their favourite distillery. Despite increasing pressure to find and buy casks, this year's competition has show that this sector of the market is offering some phenomenal whiskies for the connoisseur.

Each company was allowed to enter one whisky for each category, and it was then assessed by members of the judging panel. The whiskies were tasted blind, the bottles were only marked with a category number and ABV. In each category a gold, silver and bronze medal has been awarded for the top scoring whiskies. In each section a scoring system was applied to the medal winners and the highest scoring was awarded the section trophy.

This year we have again honoured the independent bottler who scores the most points across all the categories in the competition with an Icon of Whisky, see Icon results on page 8. A broad spread of companies won medals, and there were five different trophy winners across the six categories and a score too close to separate the winners in one, reflecting the diversity and quality in the market place offered by these companies.

INDEPENDENT BOTTLER OF THE YEAR
Berry Bros. & Rudd

Campbeltown : Independent Bottler of the Year - William Cadenhead Ltd
Highland : Independent Bottler of the Year - Dewar Rattray Ltd
Islands (non Islay) : Independent Bottler of the Year - Gordon & MacPhail
Islay : Independent Bottler of the Year - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Lowland : Independent Bottler of the Year - The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Speyside : Independent Bottler of the Year - Berry Bros. & Rudd and Robert Graham


Independent Bottlers Challenge 2010 Winners

[Spirit of Islay]

Congratulations to Doug , Ed and Rob for getting Indy bottler of the year !
Their bottlings are of extremely high quality , i now have a few sitting on the shelves , the 4yo Ledaig is favourite this year for my Fav non-Islay Indy Bottling , superb stuff . Their 2000 Caol Ila is another stunner from that distillery and moving away from Malts , their 1989 Girvan is fantastic .
Well done Lads and i look forward to BBR's return to Newcastle shortly for the Whisky Lounges Tasting !