Experts to sniff out top whisky

Mar 10 2013

Master blenders from across the globe will meet in Scotland next month in search of the year's top whisky.

The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, home to the world's largest collection at 3,384 bottles, will host the International Spirits Challenge for a second year.

A panel of 10 judges will taste 300 different whiskies over three days from April 22 to 25 at the attraction on the Royal Mile.

Some of Scotland's most revered whisky experts will be joined by master blenders - the name given to the professional who decides on a whisky's composition - from a host of other malt-loving nations.

Among those on the panel are Angela D'Orazio from Sweden's Mackmyra brand, Seiichi Koshimizu from Suntory in Japan and Randy Houston from Triple 8 in the US.

Whiskies are judged across the categories of taste, design, packaging and marketing in the awards, now in their 18th year.

International Spirits Challenge chairman John Ramsay, a former master blender at Famous Grouse producers Edrington, said: "After the success of last year's event, we are delighted to be bringing the competition back to Edinburgh for a second year."

Whisky is Scotland's largest international export and worth £4.2 billion to the economy, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

The industry is one of few not to feel the pressure of the eurozone crisis thanks to booming demand from emerging markets in Latin America and Asia.

In the year to the end of June 2012, the value of Scotch whisky exports increased by 12%.