The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), is widely generally acknowledged as one of the most prestigious and independent contests of its type in the world, with its rigorous judging: the tastings last seven months with over 300 judges from 30 countries.

This year’s winners were announced at last night’s awards ceremony held at The Guildhall in London and most noteably for us rum drinkers is that Demerara Distillers won both the American & Caribbean Spirits Producer award and The Rum Trophy for their excellent 8 Year Old El Dorado Rum.

Add this to a couple of extra Gold Outstanding awards for their sumptuous El Dorado 12 Year Old and the already highly decorated El Dorado 15 Year Old rums, along with a Gold award for the El Dorado 21 Year and an Outstanding Silver award for their El Dorado 5 Year Old and I think  it’s fair to say that Demerara Distillers are deservedly,  having another great year.

Full details on these awards and all the other awards in the Rum category can be found on the IWSC website.

Although there’s never a need for an excuse to enjoy a glass or two of any of the expressions in the Ron Botran range, it always helps when there’s an extra reason to celebrate. And what better excuse was there to join Ron Botran’s Frank Quinones, Isabel Molina and Luis Archila, along with Ron Botran’s UK distributors, Distillnation’s Francis and Maya Weier at Bird of Smithfield on the 9th October 2013, to celebrate the recent awarding of Geographical Indication Status to Rones de Guatemala.

So in honour of a great night and a great achievement, here’s the unofficial photography gallery from the night. Keep an eye out for the night’s special guest – the Guatemalan Ambassador to the UK: Asisclo Valladares, although I’m afraid to say that he didn’t turn up with a tray of Ferrero Rocher…

With The UK RumFest 2013 now behind us, the Whisky Exchange Vinopolis has a little something extra in the line-up for the end of October. Stefanie Holt, Global Brand Ambassador for El Dorado Rum, International Brand Ambassador of the Year 2012 and all-round globe-trotting wonder woman, will be there to take you through her range of luscious Guyanese rums. A great chance to warm your cockles as we head into the shivery embrace of English Winter!

For this tasting, they’ll be kicking things off as you arrive with a refreshing Caribbean rum punch made with El Dorado 5yo. After that they’ll move on to taste the core range of 8yo, 12yo, 15yo and 21yo rums, before trying no less than 3 different El Dorado Single Barrel rums. These are incredibly rare and they only receive a few bottles each year here in the UK, so the obvious reaction is to open them for a tasting! They’re interesting because each of the Single Barrels come from a different still.

The whole El Dorado range is made from different combinations of stills, including the world’s only wooden column and double wooden pot stills. You’ll be trying 3 that are part of the DNA for the 12yo – Enmore EHP, Port Mourant PM and Uitvlugt ICBU. This all may sound complicated, but don’t fret, Stef will of course be on hand to explain the unique processes that go into making El Dorado.

The tasting will take place on Monday 21st October, 7:30pm.
£29.50 per ticket

As ever, tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and are limited to two per customer

Book your ticket
Call: 020 7403 8688
or visit the shop

The Whisky Exchange Vinopolis
1 Bank End, London, SE1 9BU