Oude Meester captures medals at SFWSC

The most senior of the potstills in the range, the exclusive 18-year-old Souverein won gold, while both the 12-Year-old Reserve, which took the trophy in New York and Demant was awarded silver.

"South African brandy has established a powerful reputation in the UK and Europe but our connoisseur offerings are still something of a novelty in the US. Since the company's exposure to American trade and consumers last year in New York, market response has been encouraging. Connoisseurs are thrilled by the sense of discovery and the levels of excellence they are encountering in a specialty segment of the deluxe brandy market hitherto unknown to them," said global marketing spokesperson, Lee-Anne Lotz.

"Now we have had another panel, this time from the West Coast, favourably assessing our entries. Judges were drawn from amongst well-respected spirits buyers and consultants representing high-end restaurants and hotels, mainstream outlets, as well as spirits journalists. Their vote of confidence suggests very exciting market potential for the brand in the US, coast to coast."

The range is inspired by Benjamin Franklin, famous US statesman and one of America's founding fathers, who also excelled as a scientist, inventor and musician.