Innovative small-batch whiskies earn Corby 10 prestigious awards in 2016

TORONTO, April 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Looking for the world's best Canadian whisky? Chances are it's made by Corby Spirit and Wine. On the heels of multiple award wins at this year's World Whiskies Awards and Canadian Whisky Awards, both of which were the result of blind tastings, Corby has shown the international spirits industry that its bold, innovative Canadian whiskies are among the best in the world. Now, the Canadian distiller is adding to its collection of accolades with wins at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition held from March 17-20, 2016, including Best Canadian Rye Whisky, Double Gold Medal for its popular small-batch whisky, Lot No. 40.

"We've always believed that our whisky is some of the finest in the world," says Patrick O'Driscoll, President and CEO of Corby Spirit and Wine. "I'm proud to see it extending beyond borders and being enjoyed by consumers worldwide. Through innovation and creativity, we've developed bold and flavourful small-batches that are helping drive the renaissance of Canadian whisky. Recognition from our international peers motivates us to continue experimenting with new flavours and cutting edge processes that elevate the whiskies coming out of Canada."     

With a dedicated team gathering consumer insights, and support from sister production facility Hiram Walker & Sons in the form of significant technology upgrades, Corby is well-positioned to turn trends into products, and is poised to support continued growth and innovation for some of Canada's most popular spirits brands. Corby's latest whiskies – industry favourites Gooderham & Worts, J.P. Wiser's Hopped and Lot No. 40 – are a result of these investments, and have picked up 10 industry awards collectively this year.

"If innovation is driving the industry, Canada is leading the world," says Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender. "Canadian whiskies are known for quality and innovation, and have become part of traditions and celebrations worldwide. At Corby, we pride ourselves not only on our heritage and age-old traditions like grain-to-glass craftsmanship, but also on our ability to be flexible and innovative in the face of change. This is a true testament to who we are today, and where we can go in the future."

For a full list of winners from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, please visit: http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/overview

About the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Founded in the new millennium year of 2000 by noted wine & spirits critic and competition director Anthony Dias Blue, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has gained a reputation as the leading gauge for spirits trends and top quality products in the country. Noted journalists, distillers, beverage directors, mixologists, restaurateurs, Master Sommeliers, hoteliers, consultants and educators comprise the August body of judges. The continued growth of entries annually points to an undeniable love affair with distillate products in the United States. 

About Corby Spirit and Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian marketer and distributor of spirits and imported wines. Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's®, Lot No. 40®, Pike Creek® and Gooderham & Worts® Canadian whiskies as well as Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice® vodka and McGuinness® and Criollo® liqueurs, produced by its sister company, Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd., based in Windsor, Ontario. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies, Jameson® Irish whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm® champagne, and Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo Viejo®, Graffigna® and Kenwood® wines. In 2015, Corby was named one of the 50 Best Workplaces in Canada by The Great Place to Work® Institute Canada for the fourth consecutive year, and was also listed for the second time among Greater Toronto's Top 100 Employers. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter (@CorbySW), and Instagram (@CorbySW).

SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications

Image with caption: "Lot No. 40, Best Canadian Rye Whisky, Double Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160405_C3415_PHOTO_EN_657599.jpg

Image with caption: "J.P. Wiser's Hopped Canadian Whisky (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160405_C3415_PHOTO_EN_657601.jpg

Image with caption: "Gooderham & Worts Canadian Whisky (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160405_C3415_PHOTO_EN_657603.jpg

Image with caption: "Innovative small-batch whiskies earn Corby 10 prestigious awards in 2016 (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160405_C3415_PHOTO_EN_657605.jpg