Whiskies of the World Expo announces results of the inaugural WoW Awards

Indian brand Amrut Fusion picks up top award

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) September 23, 2014

Whiskies of the World Expo, one of the largest and most popular consumer whisky tasting events in the US, has today announced the competition results of the WoW Awards. The awards, launched this fall, are a new venture by the Whiskies of the World team supported by the expertize of its London-based parent company, the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

The stand out winner was Amrut Distilleries' Amrut Fusion, a malt whisky distilled in India with a SRP of just $65. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon picked up a coveted Gold medal and a Best in Class in the Traditional Bourbon category while Nevada 150 Bourbon took Best in Class in the Wheated Bourbon category, and Woodford Reserve picked up the same accolade in the High Rye category.

Brimstone Smoked Corn Whiskey from Balcones distillery of Texas received the Best in Class Innovative award along with a Gold medal, and their Texas Single Malt the Best in Class of USA Malts. The innovative award recognizes those who dare to make a product outside of the well-known and familiar to consumer categories.

The competition took place on September 2 in Austin, Texas, and was conducted by a panel of influential Texan taste makers. As the third largest whisky market in the US, Texas provided the perfect place to handpick a panel of judges to comprise a team of peer recognized influencers. The panel included bartenders, mixologists, spirit reviewers, beverage program directors and buyers – all based in Texas. Judges commented on the quality of entries in the competition's first year and were excited to see such a wide range of styles represented.

The awards aims to be a competition with a difference, the categories were developed to give better recognition to all brands, taking into consideration varying styles. For example, Bourbon was delineated by three main styles: wheated bourbon, high-rye bourbon, and traditional bourbon. Focus was also given to price ranges as opposed to strictly judging on age statements

Douglas Smith, Event Director, commented:
“I was really pleased with the first year's success and the amount of entries from global whisky producers. The judges are extremely talented; their discerning palates were able to pick up the nuances of each spirit to judge both fairly and comprehensively. I plan to develop and grow the competition in years to come while staying true to the original aim, to judge with a panel that is quality-focused, and that judge with passion”.

Many of the awarded whiskies will be presented at the upcoming Whiskies of the World Expo Austin, to take place on September 27.
View the full list of winners at http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/wowawards

More about Whiskies of the World LLC
Whiskies of the World LLC is based in California, owned by the International Wine & Spirits Competition, and organized by the seasoned event director and whisky enthusiast Douglas Smith. The first annual Whiskies of the World (WoW) Expo was held in San Francisco in 1998. In 2012, WoW launched a successful show in Austin, Texas, and in 2013, by popular demand of the industry and consumers, expanded to become a first high-end large scale whisky tasting festival in Georgia.

For general and press information, contact:
Douglas Smith, Event Director
Phone: (408) 225-0446
Doug(at)whiskiesoftheworld(dot)com

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/09/prweb12187771.htm