Cooley Collects a Record 10 Gold Medals Ireland’s Independent Whiskey Distillery Beats Competition Medal Haul Record at the 2009 IWSC
Chicago, IL-- Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent Irish whiskey distillery, has won a record 10 Gold Medals at the 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC). The results were announced today at the IWSC 40th Anniversary Celebration in Edinburgh.
This is the first time that an Irish whiskey distiller has managed to collect 10 IWSC Gold Medals in a single year. In 2008, Cooley won a then record nine Gold Medals and was awarded seven “Best in Class” awards. This year nine of their ten Gold Medal winning whiskeys were awarded “Best in Class”.
IWSC medals are awarded on a strict points system by a panel of international judges. They are the most prestigious honors bestowed to the drinks industry as they are judged solely on the quality of the wine or spirit.
The independent distillery’s overall 2009 medal tally of 21 eclipsed all other Irish whiskey companies at the Edinburgh event.
“2008 was a very successful year for Cooley winning nine IWSC Gold Medals and being crowned World Distiller of the Year however 2009 is shaping up to be even better. ” comments Jack Teeling, Sales & Marketing Director for Cooley Distillery. “Our continual commitment to innovation and quality is being recognized and rewarded. This years IWSC performance reinforces this with both our own portfolio of whiskeys and those we produce for our industry partners being recognized for their excellence.”
List of Gold Medals at the 2009 IWSC
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Blended Irish Whiskey
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell Single Malt
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Sherry Finish Single Malt
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Sherry Finish Peated Single Malt
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Greenore 8 Year Old Single Grain
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Greenore 15 Year Old Single Grain
• Gold Medal & Best in Class, Lockes 8 Year Old Single Malt
• Gold Medal, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madeira Finish Single Malt
About Gemini Spirits & Wine
Gemini Spirits & Wine Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sazerac family of businesses, specializing in the building of premium spirit & wine brands. The Gemini portfolio extends across many categories with brands such as Tequila Corazón, the STOCK family of brands including Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur, Fu-Ki Sake, Forty Creek Whisky, P51 Cachaça, the Cooley Irish whiskeys and Tequila Siete Leguas. Sazerac Company, Inc. is based in New Orleans. Gemini Spirits & Wine is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
7/16/2009
