Pernod Ricard USA, the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., is proud to announce it has been named “Importer of the Year” for the second straight year by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), which also named Pernod Ricard’s Ireland-based Midleton Distillery as the 2014 “Distiller of the Year”. In addition to these distinguished awards, ABSOLUT Vodka, Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and Redbreast 21 Year Old took home top “Chairman’s Trophy” awards in their respective categories from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), while Redbreast 21 Year Old received a perfect score of 100 - an impressive feat accomplished by only one other brand in the competition’s five-year history. Also, Redbreast 15 Year Old was awarded “Best Irish Whiskey” by the SFWSC. In total, Pernod Ricard USA brands scored 16 Double Gold and 15 Gold medals at SFWSC and 33 “Finalist” designations from USC.
“It is a true honor to receive this recognition for our company and our brands from two of the most prestigious spirits competitions in the world,” said Pierre Berard, SVP Spirits Marketing, Pernod Ricard USA. “Being named “Importer of the Year” and “Distiller of the year” reinforces Pernod Ricard’s commitment to producing spirits of outstanding quality that deliver exceptional experiences to our customers and consumers. And the multiple Double Gold and Gold medals from the SFWSC -- and “Finalist” designations from the USC -- further highlight the craftsmanship of our premium brands. In particular, ABSOLUT’s award in the ultracompetitive vodka category is a strong validation of the consistent devotion to quality that has made this brand the #1 imported vodka in the U.S."
2014 was another stellar year for the Pernod Ricard Scotch and Irish Whisky portfolios, which combined, brought home 26 of Pernod’s 52 Double Gold and Gold medals from SFWSC and 28 of the company’s 33 “Finalist” designations from USC. Berard added, “Our Irish and Scotch Whisky brands are second to none and are continuing to build momentum at retail and on-premise across the country,” added Berard. “We have recently strengthened our presence in the whisky category with the launch of several exciting premium North American brands including Lot 40™, Pike Creek® and J.P. Wiser’s®. We look forward to building these brands and continuing to strengthen our position in the growing whisky category.”