Elector Irish Whiskey Aged 12 Years Wins Silver at 2026 London Spirits Competition

[JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA]

Elector Irish Whiskey, a blended Irish Whiskey that is aged for twelve (12) years, claimed a silver medal at the 2026 London Spirits Competition.

The win marks a strong endorsement from one of the industry's most commercially minded judging panels, which evaluates spirits not just on taste, but on value for money and shelf appeal, factors that actually drive purchase decisions.

Now in its ninth year, the London Spirits Competition judges each entry across three weighted criteria — Quality, Value, and Packaging — producing a score that reflects how a spirit performs in the real world, not just in a tasting room.

Entries are first blind-tasted by a panel of active trade professionals, including spirits buyers, bar managers, and mixologists, before price and packaging are factored in.

The competition drew entries from more than 30 countries, with particularly strong representation from the UK, Australia, India, Italy, USA, Mexico and Netherlands among others— reflecting the increasingly global character of the spirits industry.

The LSC saw gins, whiskies, liqueurs, rum and vodka as the most entered categories, followed by tequilas, RTDs and other no and low beverages.

This year’s judging brought together over 70 top industry experts and buyers, including Master Distillers, Master Blenders, Mixologists, and elite buyers.

The panel featured names like Stephanie Macleod (Master Blender and Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi), Andrew de Lavis-Trafford (Director of Buying Spirits, Beers, Softs & Champagne at Enotria Winecellars Ltd, UK), Nick Larsson-Bell (Retail Buyer of the Year 2022 Senior Spirits and Beer Buyer at Harvey Nichols), Enrico Chiappini (Senior Bartender at Dukes Hotel), Georgios Chaziris (Head Bartender at Soho House & Co), Billy Leighton (Master Blender Emeritus at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard), Christian Maspes (Food and Beverage specialist, Sake sommelier & Educator, Bar project developer), Laura Willoughby MBE (Low and No Alcoholic Drinks Buyer, Founder of Club Soda, The Mindful Drinking Movement) and Craig Wallace (Whisky Creation Leader and Master Blender at Diageo), lending exceptional credibility and insight to the process.

These judges brought a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each entry.

How the Competition Is Judged

At the International London Spirits Competition, medals are awarded based on a weighted composite score derived from the competition’s three core judging criteria: Quality, Value, and Packaging.

To reflect the importance of how the spirits tastes and performs in the glass, Quality is given double weight in the final score calculation.

The scoring formula is as follows:

Final Score = (2 × Quality + Value + Packaging) ÷ 4

This approach ensures that while all three criteria are important, the drinking experience remains the most critical factor, while still accounting for price positioning and shelf appeal.

The London Spirits Competition is judged by a panel of leading spirits buyers with current commercial buying experience, or spirits consultants and experts directly involved in developing new spirit brands or purchasing spirits for resale.

Judges represent a diverse range of channels and disciplines, including multiple retailers, convenience stores, distributors, on-trade groups, casual and fine dining establishments, hospitality, and the travel industry.

“Winning a medal here means your spirits performs across taste, value, and shelf appeal, making it a strong contender in both domestic and international markets," said Sid Patel, CEO of the London Spirits Competition.

In Their Own Words

"The authority of a London Spirits Competition award comes from the quality of the judges, the rigour of the process, and the fact that it reflects what consumers and buyers actually want. We're thrilled that Elector Irish Whisky performed so well," said Keyler Valiatham, Head of Marketing, VIP Liquors.

Remarking on what the achievement means, Valiatham expressed;

“Achieving a silver medal with 89 points is a strong endorsement of Elector Irish Whiskey’s craftsmanship and market relevance. This recognition speaks to a spirit that is not only well-made, but also highly competitive within its category, delivering consistent quality, broad appeal, and versatility across a range of drinking occasions and market placements.”

About Elector Irish Whiskey From VIP Liquors

Inspired by the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire – the powerful princes entrusted with selecting the Emperor – Elector pays tribute to the true kingmakers of history: those whose influence shaped an empire that endured for more than a millennium.

Crafted for discerning individuals who understand that real power is never ostentatious, but quietly expressed through presence, character, and taste, Elector embodies refinement in every sip.

Matured through an exceptional twelve-year ageing process, it reveals a sweet, clean nose layered with the depth and complexity of blended malt elements.

The result is an intense yet balanced flavour profile, culminating in a long, elegant finish that lingers on the palate – a lasting mark of distinction and appreciation.

ENDS.

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