Whisky of the Year: Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Exclusive Crowned Whisky of the Year at the 2017 International Whisky Competition

LAS VEGAS, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg named Master Distiller of the Year for crafting the Whisky of the Year 2017 and will receive the coveted Golden Barrel Trophy.

The International Whisky Competition (IWC) just released its results for this year's most respected blind tasting judging event. The top recognition, Whisky of the Year, was awarded to Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Exclusive which scored 97.3 points, the highest scoring whisky of the competition.

The 8th edition of the International Whisky Competition took place in Las Vegas over three days, from May 3 to 5 and received over 180 different whiskies. A world-class tasting panel made of whisky, spirit, beer and wine experts blind tasted each whisky on an individual basis (8 minutes per whisky).

Each whisky was scored using a comprehensive 100-point scale system developed by Sebastien Gavillet, IWC Head of Tasting Panel and author of Discovering and Mastering Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This process and the fact that only three medals are awarded in any category make the International Whisky Competition the most followed whisky competition and one of the most professional competitions of its kind in the world.

We warmly congratulate Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Spirit Creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, as well as his team, for creating such a complex and sophisticated whisky, ever changing with pronounced phenols yet a smooth & lingering finish. "Definitely a contender," said Sebastien Gavillet's tasting notes. "Elegant! Spectacular," said Adam Carmer's notes and "Warm finish, exceptionally smooth and well-integrated," said Agi Toth's notes.

This is the second year Dr Bill Lumsden is crowned Master Distiller of the Year for crafting the best scoring whisky of the competition. Last year's winner was Glenmorangie Signet, which scored 97 points. Ardbeg Distillery will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy for winning the Whisky of the Year during a ceremony to be held this summer in Islay, Scotland.

Full results available here: https://www.whiskycompetition.com/2017-results/

The International Whisky Competition is the most followed Whisky Competition on Social Media and brings whiskies from around the world to be blind tasted and rated by a professional tasting panel using the most comprehensive tasting method available. 15 criteria are required to produce the tasting notes as well as aroma and flavor profiles for the International Whisky Guide. Unlike other competitions, the judges are presented with one whisky at a time, to ensure each whisky gets the proper attention. For more information please visit www.whiskycompetition.com

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SOURCE International Whisky Competition