Oude Molen’s Hand Crafted XO Wins Gold at International Brandy Masters

Cape Town, 30th May, 2015 – Oude Molen’s XO new handcrafted premium Cape Brandy was awarded Gold at the recent 2016 Global Spirits Masters in the Brandy Masters category, and was the only South African distiller to win Gold in the competition. In addition, Oude Molen’s premium Joseph Barry VS, VSOP and XO Cape brandies won silver medals in the competition. The Global Spirits Masters is one of the most renowned blind tasting competitions in the world and uses only independent judges, making it one of the most impartial spirits competitions. Distillers and bottlers from across the globe enter across a variety of categories. The Global Brandy Masters 2016 rewards the finest brandy brands on a world stage.

It is chaired by The Sprits Business along with a panel of leading sprits and on-trade specialists, who judge the brandy in a blind tasting. Trophies for the world’s winning spirits, best distilleries and producers were awarded at a function, held at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), London. The first Oude Molen was produced in 1910, by Dutch born distiller, René Santhagens, who was the first man in South Africa, to produce brandy according to the age-old French tradition. Oude Molen still makes its Cognac-style brandy according to these centuries-old techniques at its distillery in Elgin, which houses two of the largest copper pot stills in the Southern Hemisphere.

Andre Simonis, MD of the Oude Molen distillery, says that the global impact of winning this type of award is great for business.  “Marketing our brandies as Cape Brandy rather than ‘pot still brandy’ is paying off as there is a lot of confusion around the Pot Still category,” he explains. “There is widespread confusion in the market regarding different sub categories as defined in the legislation namely, Blended Brandy, Vintage Brandy and Pot Still Brandy. On the shelf all these different segments compete under one category namely ‘Brandy’. Oude Molen believes that by calling its 100% Pot still variants ‘Cape Brandy’; we will be able to resolve some of the confusion in the market in so far as the ‘Pot Still’ category is concerned.” He continues: “We have focussed our marketing of Cape Brandy in the design and development of our premium brandies and have seen an uptide in demand locally and as well as in export markets, especially in the American and Dutch as well and Asian markets.” Simonis says that inroads into the Asian market will help to increase volumes because the Asia-Pacific region currently dominates the global consumer market for brandy, accounting for more than half of the total market share in terms of volume sold.

“This award also confirms that we are on the right track when it comes to our processes of distilling, ageing and blending,” he adds. “Recognition also needs to be given to our team who are involved from beginning to end Eddy Beukes, Distillery manager and the blending team comprising of Andy Neil, Lara Patrick and Kobus Gerderblom who heads up the team.” Kobus Gelderbloem says: “Oude Molen Cape Brandy defines the perfect marriage of terroir, craftsmanship and luxury indulgence. Only Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Ugni Blanc grapes are used in the distillation of our Cape Brandy.”  He adds that the brandies used in the distillation of the premium handcrafted Oude Molen XO Cape Brandy are between 10 and sixteen years old, and are matured in specially selected oak barrels. Oude Molen XO sells for R800 and is available direct from the Oude Molen distillery and will be available from liquor outlets nationwide from the end of July. For more information visit oudemolen.co.za

Oude Molen XO Tasting Notes: Coconut and tropical fruit entice the nose, with hints of litchi and banana. These open up to a deep fruit palate with peach and apricot undertones. Subtle oak lingers on the swallow, with coconut and a long lasting finish.

About Edward Snell & Co. Established in 1848, Edward Snell & Co. is currently the largest family-owned wine and spirit merchant in South Africa. The company is the third largest alcohol spirit beverage business in SA producing, warehousing, and distributing its own brands as well as a number of international brands. The company has a 13% share of the South African spirits market and employs over 285 people. For more information go to www.esnell.co.za For more information contact: Kisha van Vuuren at Tin Can PR on (021) 413 7500 or (083) 383 1440 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.