Whyte & Mackay and Black Dog amongst others dominate prestigious international whisky awards

Bangalore, 19 May, 2010: United Spirits Limited. (USL) acquired Whyte & Mackay and Black Dog have scooped “Best Blended Whisky” awards at the three most prestigious international whiskey competitions held in Europe and the US.

Whyte & Mackay which was acquired in 2007 has played a large part in boosting sales and growth in revenue. Along with Black Dog, which currently commands over 50% share of the market (Premim BII Scotch), USL’s aspiration is to grow both these Bottled in India (BII) portfolios in the regular scotch segment. Leading the way is Black Dog’s 8-year-old variant where USL are driving awareness of the brand and alongside this, USL is building equity for Whyte & Mackay Special by emphasising its unquestionable superior product quality. This superior product is further showcased in the Premium BII where USL wishes to maintain its leadership with the Black Dog 12-year-old variant.

Additionally, USL is equally ambitious when it comes to their Bottled in Origin (BIO) portfolio where the aim is to build both The Dalmore and Jura brands making them among the Top 5 single malts in the medium term.

Mr. Anant, Iyer, Luxury Brands Business Head, USL said: “We are delighted about these wins, which clearly indicate the recognition our brands are getting within the industry. “Whyte & Mackay and Black Dog are key drivers of USL’s Scotch portfolio. Black Dog has helped expand our market to a larger consumer segment. As you can see from our ambitious plans our aspiration is to maintain double digit growth and we are happy at the way consumers have appreciated our offerings. ”

Black Dog variants won emerged winners at the World Whiskies Awards 2010 (WWA) held in Glasgow, Monde 2010 World Selection held in Brussels and International Whisky Competition 2010 (IWC) held in Chicago. Whyte & Mackay also dominated the competitions by winning Gold for “blended whisky” and Silver for “blended whisky under 10 years old” at the IWC, Chicago. Whyte & Mackay was also hailed as the winner in the “Best Scotch blended whisky” category and “Scotch blended 21 and over” sub-category at WWA, Glasgow. The detailed awards list is as follows

Monde 2010 World Selection, Brussels (April 2010)

Gold: Black Dog Centenary Aged 8 Years

International Whisky Competition 2010, Chicago ( April 2010)

Bronze - Blended Whisky (Over 10 Year Old): Black Dog Deluxe Aged 12 Years

Gold - Blended Whisky (Over 10 Year Old): Whyte & Mackay 13 Year Old

Silver - Blended Whisky (Under 10 Year Old): Whyte & Mackay Special Blend

World Whiskies Awards 2010, Glasgow ( May 2010)

Sub-category Winner - Scotch Blended 12 and under: Black Dog 12 years old

Category Winner - Best Scotch Blended Whisky: Whyte and Mackay 40 Years old

Sub-category Winner - Scotch Blended 21 and Over: Whyte and Mackay 40 Years old

United Spirits’ brands have a history of winning international awards across all flavours, ranging from the Mondial and the International Wine and Spirit Competition to the International Taste and Quality Institute, with a total of over 108 awards and certificates to date. The company recently launched the Black Dog Reserve - 18 year old Scotch Whisky.

About United Spirits Limited:

United Spirits Limited (USL) is the INR 6500 crores (FY 2010) spirits arm of the UB Group. USL was earlier McDowell and Company Limited. USL is headquartered in Bangalore with a global footprint and has 7,500 employees across various locations. USL has a portfolio of more than 140 brands, of which 20 are millionaire brands and has manufacturing and bottling units at 80 locations across the country.

USL represents the merged entities of erstwhile McDowell & Co. Limited, Phipson Distillery Limited, United Spirits Limited, Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers and Vintners Private Limited, Baramati Grape Industries Limited, United Distillers India Limited, McDowell International Brands Limited and Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited and Shaw Wallace & Co. The erstwhile McDowell & Co. Limited was first established as a proprietary business in 1826. For detailed information, please visit www.unitedspirits.in

About Whyte & Mackay:

Established on the docks of Glasgow in 1844, the brand was named after the two founders, James Whyte and Charles Mackay. The finest whiskey Whyte and Mackay is proud of its Glasgow roots to produce a rich flavor by combining the best of 35 selected malts in Scotland. The brand has always believed in the philosophy of good things comes to those who wait, and that’s how Whyte and Mackay had been known for using the unique ‘double marriage process' in blending their whisky which not only guarantees a smooth, mellow and distinctive character but ensures every drop of Whyte & Mackay tasting as good as the first. There is an old saying which goes something like this “You Can’t Hurry Love.” The simple meaning of the saying signifies the double marriage process.

At 12 years old, when other producers bottle their aged blends, Whyte & MacKay’s Master Blender brings together the finest malt whiskies, then returns them to sherry casks to marry for another year of loving union. At 13 years old, the second marriage takes place, when the finest grain whiskies are introduced to this blend of malts to create the masterpiece that is THE THIRTEEN.

There are 3 different variants of scotch whiskey based on the period of maturation, viz.

· Whyte and Mackay ‘The Thirteen’ (13 year old blended scotch whiskey)

· Whyte and Mackay 19 Years Old Blend (19 year old blended ‘luxury' scotch whiskey)

· Whyte and Mackay 22 Years Old (‘Rare’ edition blended scotch whiskey)

About Black Dog:

The birth of the great whisky took place almost 125 years ago when James McKinley from the second generations of the Leith Scotch-whisky blending family launched the masterful whisky by the name of Millard's favourite fishing fly, The Black Dog. It is said that in the year 1883 Walter Millard, a Scot from British East India company came searching for the perfect Scotch and eventually discovered the great taste of whisky in these misty shores of Scotland. Today Black Dog is considered as a 100% genuine Scotch-whisky distilled, matured and blended in the lowland regions of Scotland. After more than 125 years every time-honored process is followed the same way to produce the impeccable blend of robust, yet smooth Scotch-whisky which is relished as an intricate fusion of delicate tones and soft aromas. Available in 2 enchanting blends - 12 Year Old Deluxe Scotch-whisky and 8 Year Old Centenary Scotch-whisky.

For 12 Year Old Deluxe Scotch-whisky, the Master blender guarantees a lavish finishing with a touch of cream. On the other hand the 8 Year Old Centenary Scotch-whisky comes with a promise of giving a balanced, long and intense finishing.

For further information, please contact:

Shefali Kotnala

shefalikotnala@ubmail.com
+91 80 39856921

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