The world class standard of KWV Brandy has been reaffirmed with nearly the entire portfolio – spanning young and aged expressions – earning top honours at the UK-based International Spirits Challenge (ISC). KWV proudly walked away with nine medals, including four Double Gold medals; these were awarded to the double-distilled KWV XXO 20 and KWV 15, while two brandies crafted exclusively for export, the KWV XO and KWV VSOP, also received Double Gold, further underscoring KWV’s global standing.
Gold medals were awarded to KWV 3, KWV 5, KWV VS, KWV 10, and KWV 12, reflecting the consistent excellence across the range.
With this latest recognition, KWV cements its status as one of the globe’s most celebrated and consistently top-performing brands — a true icon of excellence in the world of spirits. The ISC is the longest-running dedicated spirits competition in the world, thanks to its reputation for precise and independent judging at the highest level. It receives entries annually from over 70 countries.
KWV has been the one of the most consistent champions at the ISC. It has been named overall champion on several occasions, most recently last year as recipient of the ISC Trophy for Best Brandy / Cognac Producer in the World. A triumph which underscores KWV Brandy’s position as the world’s best brandy / cognac producer.
The ISC awards also come at an auspicious time for KWV Brandy, just ahead of its centenary of brandy making. KWV produced its first brandy in 1926, making it one of the country’s longest-running commercial brandy distilleries.
“We are honoured that KWV brandy has again been recognised by judges of the International Spirits Challenge,” says KWV Master Distiller Pieter de Bod. “These awards reflect the pride we take in consistent excellence at every tier, from our accessible blends to our finest aged expressions. It’s especially meaningful to receive this recognition on the show’s 30th anniversary – a milestone in global prestige for the ISC and a mark of its importance in benchmarking standards for spirits anywhere in the world.
“As one of the world’s most influential markets for wines and spirits, the UK remains a global trendsetter, and recognition on this stage is a powerful endorsement of both quality and international relevance,” says Pieter.
Significantly, the latest awards for KWV follow an equally auspicious accolade just weeks ago where KWV XXO 20 was crowned Global Style Winner in the brandy category for extra old expressions at the World Drinks Awards in London.
Judges described this outstanding brandy in glowing terms: “Complex profile…[with a] finish that is long and honeyed…balanced and rounded.”
The same brandy elicited high praise from judges at the ISC, who praised it for its memorable finish, as well as “enticing notes of Manuka honey and orange”.
The KWV 15 was described as “Well-integrated…pick of the bunch”; the KWV XO, “Balanced and spicy to the end…Rich, dark and welcoming”; and the KWV VSOP, “Elegant and layered…Potstill goodness. Bright nose, powerful palate.”
Altogether, the brandies embody the heritage and craft of South African brandy making at the highest level. The international standing KWV brandy enjoys is reflected in its record of achievements over many years. The Paarl producer has been winner of the ISC Best Brandy Trophy in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2024 and at the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) in 2014 and 2017. It has also received the trophy as Brandy and Cognac Producer of the Year at the ISC in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024 and at the IWSC in 2017.
“Sales of brandy in South Africa over the past few years show that consumers continue to trade up, favouring quality in their brand of choice,” says Pieter. “This latest therefore not only underscores the popularity of KWV Brandy but reflects a bright future too.”
KWV brandies are available at all leading retailers of fine spirits. For more information, visit www.kwv.co.za.
