Corby's Canadian Whiskies Receive Worldwide Honours

TORONTO, May 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Corby Distilleries is proud to announce that its Canadian whiskies have been honoured with multiple awards including Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze and "Best in Class" at some of the world's most prestigious spirits competitions, such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the World Whiskies Awards.

"Within Canada, people are already familiar with our outstanding premium Canadian whisky brands, and we are very proud to see that, in competition after competition, the rest of the world is coming to recognize and appreciate them as well," said Patrick O' Driscoll, President and Chief Executive Officer, Corby Distilleries. "As a category, Canadian Whisky is increasingly popular among consumers and increasingly appreciated by connoisseurs. This is a welcome occurrence for Corby - whether through established brands like Wiser's® or more recent market entrants, like Lot 40® and Pike Creek®, we've been a leader in supporting the development of premium Canadian whiskies that, as these honours confirm, are among the best whiskies in the world."

The 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition received 1,407 entrants from 63 countries. In a truly distinguished field, Corby's premium portfolio of Canadian whisky took seven medals, including Best Canadian Whisky and two Double Golds (see full list of these and other award winners below).

At the World Whiskies Awards, sponsored by London's Whisky Magazine, Wiser's 18 Year Old®, Lot 40® and Pike Creek® all received "Best in category" awards.

Corby's Canadian Whiskies took two gold medals and a bronze medal at the Beverage Testing Institute's 2013 International Review of Spirits competition in Milwaukee. Two of Corby's Canadian whisky brands were also named as finalists at New York's 2013 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

International success was matched by success at home. At the 2012 Canadian Whisky Awards, held in Victoria BC, seven of Corby's Canadian whisky brands won awards, with gold medals going to Wiser's Legacy® and Lot 40®.

"Awards such as these are a testament to the exceptional quality of our Canadian whisky brands," observed O'Driscoll, "and to the depth and range of Corby's world-class portfolio of premium brands."

About Corby

Corby is a leading Canadian marketer and distributor of spirits and imported wines. Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including Wiser's Canadian whiskies, Lamb's rum, Polar Ice vodka and McGuinness liqueurs. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT vodka, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Ballantine's Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Beefeater gin, Malibu rum, Kahlúa liqueur, Mumm champagne, and Jacob's Creek, Wyndham Estate, Stoneleigh, Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines. Corby was named one of the 50 Best Workplaces in Canada by The Great Place to Work® Institute Canada in both 2012 and 2013. The existing Voting Class A Common Shares and Non-voting Class B Common Shares of the Company are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols CDL.A and CDL.B, respectively. For further information, please visit our website: www.corby.ca.

Image with caption: "Wiser's 18 Year Old, Lot No. 40, Wiser's Deluxe, Wiser's Legacy, Wiser's Spiced, Wiser's Small Batch, Pike Creek (CNW Group/Corby Distilleries Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130501_C9943_PHOTO_EN_26188.jpg

SOURCE: Corby Distilleries Limited