South Carolina’s Virgil Kaine receives Gold Medal Recognition in San Francisco World Spirits Competition
March 30, 2016
Virgil Kaine Robber Baron Rye Whiskey, of the distinctive line from Charleston, SC, received international recognition with the honor of a gold medal in the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Now in its 16th year, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has become one of the spirits industry’s most recognized and reliable indicators of excellence. Considered among the industry’s most influential competitions, this year’s medal winners represent some of the highest quality spirits in the world selected from among 1,850 entries. A panel of 39 experts from the spirits and cocktail industries selected the medal winners.
Earning a gold medal signifies “an excellent product meeting very high standards” while all levels of awards from the competition indicate “superior quality.” The debut rye offering from Virgil Kaine, Robber Baron Rye Whiskey features an uncommonly high 94% rye mash with a splash of another Virgil Kaine offering, High-Rye Bourbon. This unique combination delivers a flavor of dry, subtle spice and a delicate heat.
Virgil Kaine founders and chefs David Szlam and Ryan Meany launched the rye whiskey in 2015 following the success of their debut spirit, Ginger Infused Bourbon. “We were inspired to create a rye whiskey that’s both sippable and enjoyable at under $30 a bottle,” Szlam says. “Rye whiskeys in this price range are typically viewed as mixers that don’t stand up as a classic sipper. Our use of sherry and port staves helped us achieve our goal of incorporating tannins to create a smoother finish that’s usually found only in older rye whiskeys. We love our rye, and we’re honored to see it recognized by one of our industry’s most prestigious competitions.”
The recognition is a highlight after an exciting start to 2016. In the past several months, the duo has won over countless bourbon fans at events like the Charleston Food + Wine Festival, Savannah Food & Wine Festival, Euphoria Greenville and its own “Southern Coalition” gatherings in New York and Atlanta.
Virgil Kaine spirits are available at many retailers in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and New York. Online purchase is available at http://www.virgilkaine.com.
For more information regarding retail locations, upcoming events, recipes and more, please visit http://www.virgilkaine.com.
