Michael Collins Irish Whiskey Wins Top Honors and is Awarded Chairman's Trophy at the 2011 Ultimate Spirits Challenge

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc. a leader in ultra-premium spirits is proud to announce that its Authentically Irish Whiskey, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey has been honored with top honors and accolades at the 2011 Ultimate Spirits Challenge in both the Blended Irish Whiskey and Single Malt Irish Whiskey categories. Michael Collins Blended Irish Whiskey was one of only 27 brands to win the Chairman's Trophy, representing the best of the best in the industry and the newly introduced Michael Collins 10 Year Old Single Malt was named a finalist. Both scored 95 out of 100 and were noted as extraordinary, highly recommended and as a great value for consumers.

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The Second Annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) was held at the state of the art Astor Center in New York City over four days consisting of multiple stages of blind competitive judging. With nearly 600 entries from around the globe, the 27 USC Chairman's Trophy honors were awarded to the highest scoring spirits in their category. Finalist status was awarded on a category by category basis to the top performing products. Industry educator/consultant Steve Olson has named the USC the world's "fairest spirits competition." Steve served as a judge alongside other world renowned industry greats including: Paul Pacult, Sean Ludford, Dale DeGroff, David Wondrich, Doug Frost, Andy Seymour, Jim Meehan, Eric Alperin, Jack Robertiello, Tad Carducci, Aisha Sharpe, Willy Shine, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Julie Reiner, gaz regan and Robert Plotkin.

USC Judging Chairman Paul Pacult's describes The Chairman's Trophy award winning Michael Collins Blended Irish Whiskey as "harmonious with delectably peppery aromas including dried figs, caramel, sawdust and vanilla; taste profile features compelling flavors of dry breakfast cereal, nougat and candy bar." Pacult describes Michael Collins 10 Year Old Single Malt as having "upfront aromas including butterscotch, light toffee and dry breakfast cereal; taste profile highlights light honey, wood resin, malted milk and candied almond."

"We are honored to receive such high marks by this prestigious group of industry experts," says Bill Henderson, SVP Marketing and Advertising of Sidney Frank Importing Co, Inc.  "Michael Collins Irish Whiskey embodies the strong character, bold heritage and uncompromising authenticity of a truly remarkable Irish spirit."  

Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are proudly handcrafted at the Cooley Distillery. Recognized by Malt Advocate as "2010 Distillery of the Year" and as "European Distillery of the Year" for the last 3 consecutive years by the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards, Cooley is the only distillery in Ireland to double distill their whiskeys and use peated malted barley.  Made with locally harvested Spring barley, Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are distilled with local mountain spring water that is soft and pure and matured in small bourbon seasoned casks where the cool, moist Irish air brings the whiskeys to maturity.

Michael Collins 10 Year Old Single Malt is double distilled in small, long-necked copper pot stills, from both malted barley and peated malted barley and matured in small bourbon seasoned casks for a minimum of ten years. The result is a single malt, with a slightly sweet nose, that is rich and complex with hints of ripe fruit, meadow flowers and peat. Clean and smooth, the medium to dry finish has a lingering light smokiness.

A refined blend of malt Irish whiskey and grain Irish whiskey, Michael Collins Blended Irish Whiskey is double distilled for proper balance of purity and character, and then matured in bourbon seasoned casks from four to twelve years. Aromas of honey, citrus and malt give way to a delicate balance of these flavors with a fresh oak finish.

Michael Collins 10 Year Old Single Malt is available in the 750ml size with a suggested retail price of $39.99. Michael Collins Blended Irish Whiskey is available in 50ml, 750ml and Liter sizes and has a suggested retail price of $26.99-$28.99 (750ml).

MAY YOUR IRISH WHISKEY BE MICHAEL COLLINS AND MAY YOU DRINK IT RESPONSIBLY

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey 40% Alc. /Vol. Imported exclusively by Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., New Rochelle, NY 10801 http://www.michaelcollinswhiskey.com/

About Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc.

Founded in 1972, Sidney Frank Importing Company Inc. of New Rochelle, NY, currently imports Jagermeister Herbal Liqueur - the number one selling imported Liqueur and shot brand in the United States, Gekkeikan Sake - the world's largest sake, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey - the double distilled single malt and blended whiskies named for the Irish legendary hero and produced at Ireland's last independent distillery, JC Cognac - the VSOP known for its unmatched quality and unique flavor extensions of Apple and Jasmine, Barenjager Honey Liqueur - the German imported vodka based honey liqueur made with generous amounts of premium natural Yucatan honey, Henri Savard Blanc de Blancs – the sparkling wine produced with the best French savoir-faire since 1907, Jacques Cardin Brandy - the French brandy of uncommon distinction defined by its rich color and superior flavor, Hudson's Bay Scotch - a smooth blend of 100% Scotch Whiskies distilled and blended in Scotland and St. Vivant Armagnac - the premium French brandy steeped in tradition dating back to 1559.

SOURCE Michael Collins Irish Whiskey