FDBusiness.com

Kilbeggan Irish whiskey has been named the world’s Best Irish Blended Whiskey at the 2012 World Whiskies Awards (WWA). Part of the award-winning portfolio of brands produced by Cooley Distillery, this is the third time in the last four years Kilbeggan has earned this top honour, and rounds out a list of 17 awards that Cooley has achieved this month from two of the world’s most prestigious industry competitions – WWA and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Cooley Distillery was acquired by Beam, the US-based global spirits group, for $95 million earlier this year.

In addition to being named Best Irish Blended Whiskey, Kilbeggan 18 Year Old was also selected as the Best Irish Blended Whiskey 13 to 20 Years at WWA by a panel of international judges. Kilbeggan also earned a Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and in recent years, has won the 2009 Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey of Year as well as numerous Gold Medals from the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), making it one of the most celebrated whiskies in the world.

In addition to Kilbeggan, Cooley’s award-winning portfolio also includes Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey, many of which have also achieved significant recognition this year. For the third consecutive year, Greenore has been named the World’s Best Grain Whiskey at WWA – this year being recognized for the brand’s 18 Year Old expression. Additionally,Connemaratook home top honors as a Double Gold medalist at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.