South African Brandy Producers Shine at 2026 International and Veritas Awards
South African Brandy Producers Shine at 2026 International and Veritas Awards. South African brandy producers have secured multiple accolades at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in London and the Veritas Awards in Cape Town, with KWV named Brandy Producer of the Year at the international competition.
The results at both competitions highlighted the performance of local producers across several brandy categories.
The 31st International Spirits Challenge was held in London on 6 October. According to the South African Brandy Foundation, South African producers secured 13 of the 27 gold-or-higher results in the brandy category, accounting for 48% of those awards.
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 the producer’s entries achieved Gold or higher, with four receiving Double Gold: KWV 3, KWV 5, KWV 12 and KWV VSOP.
Van Ryn’s also recorded strong results, with all four of its brandy expressions achieving Gold-level awards. Three were recognised in the potstill subcategory for brandies aged 11 years and older.
At the Veritas Awards, 29 brandies received medals, representing the highest number in recent years, according to the South African Brandy Foundation.
Every brandy medal winner received Silver Outstanding or higher. Potstill brandies accounted for a significant share of the recognition, with four of the six Double Gold medals in the category going 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.
In the standard brandy category, Nuy 3 Year Barrel Select received Double Gold, while KWV 5 and Namaqua Brandy 5 received Gold.
KWV collected nine medals at Veritas, representing 31% of the total. KWV and Van Ryn’s together accounted for about 48% of all brandy medals awarded.
Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the South African Brandy Foundation, said the results reflected the skill and consistency of local producers.
The awards provide recognition for South African brandy at both an international spirits competition and a local awards programme.
