Suntory Liquors Ltd.'s Suntory Single Malt Whiskey Yamazaki 1984 has been awarded the top prize among some 1,000 entries in an international liquor competition held in London, the distiller said Tuesday.
After winning the Trophy in the "Whiskeys" category from some 300 selections from around the world, Yamazaki 1984 went on Monday to win the Supreme Champion Spirit award, which was selected among the Trophy winners from all the categories, in the 15th International Spirits Challenge 2010.
It is the first time a Japanese product received the Supreme Champion Spirit award, according to the company.
Suntory also became the first Japanese company to ever be awarded Distiller of the Year, the prize given to the producer that has made the greatest contribution to the industry worldwide, it said.
Yamazaki 1984 was made from only unblended malt whiskey distilled and barreled in 1984, and a 700-milliliter bottle is priced at ¥100,000, according to the company.
The ISC liquor competition is held every year in the U.K., and contest categories include whiskeys and liqueurs. Each category has its own Gold, Silver, Bronze and Commended Medal winners. On top of these awards, the Trophy is awarded only to the most outstanding product from among the Gold Medal winners of each category.
The Supreme Champion Spirit award is then given to one chosen from among all the Trophy winners from each category.
