South African Brandy Wins Top Honors at ISC and Veritas Awards
At the Veritas Awards, 29 brandies received medals, the highest number in recent years, according to the South African Brandy Foundation.
“South African brandy continues to show that it belongs among the best in the world. The strong showing at both the Veritas Awards and the International Spirits Challenge reflects the skill, patience and passion of our producers, who are working with real consistency across every style,” says Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the SA Brandy Foundation.
“That this consistency has been sustained while the market continues to evolve is a testament to their resilience and commitment to quality.”
KWV leads international results
The 2026 International Spirits Challenge, held in London on 6 October, marked the competition’s 31st edition.
South African producers secured 13 of the 27 gold-or-higher results in the brandy category, accounting for 48% of those awards, according to the foundation.
KWV received the Brandy Producer of the Year trophy, as well as category trophies for its KWV XO and 20 Year expressions. All nine of its entries achieved Gold or higher, with four receiving Double Gold: KWV 3, KWV 5, KWV 12 and KWV VSOP.
Van Ryn’s also received recognition, with all four of its brandy expressions achieving Gold-level awards. Three were in the competition’s potstill subcategory for brandies aged 11 years and older.
Source: Supplied | From left to right: De Wet Viljoen (Head Winemaker (Wildekrans Wine Estate), Dr Winnie Bowman (Cape Wine Master), Charles Hopkins (Cellar Master, De Grendel), Siobhan Thompson (CEO, WoSA), Christelle Reade-Jahn (Director, South African Brandy Foundation)Veritas awards 29 brandies
At the Veritas Awards, presented by the South African National Wine Show Association, every brandy medal winner received Silver Outstanding or higher.
Potstill brandies accounted for much of the recognition. Four of the six Double Gold medals in the potstill category went to brandies aged 15 years or older.
Double Gold winners included Boplaas 20, KWV 15, KWV XO, Sydney Back 15, Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 12 Years and Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 Years.
Gold medals went to Bontstaan Brandewyn, Boschendal Potstill Brandy XXO Aged 21 Years, KWV 10, KWV 12, KWV 20, KWV VSOP Signature Release, Nuy, Old Road Distillery Co. 15, Simonac Cape Brandy Aged 15 Years, Sydney Back 25 and Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 15 Years.
In the standard brandy category, Nuy 3 Year Barrel Select received Double Gold, while KWV 5 and Namaqua Brandy 5 received Gold.
KWV won nine medals at Veritas, representing 31% of the total. KWV and Van Ryn’s together accounted for about 48% of all brandy medals awarded.
The results highlight the performance of South African producers at both a major international spirits competition and a local awards programme.