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Entry kit 2026
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About the show
Entry kit 2026
Judges
Winners and Results
Galleries
Glossary

The Investec Trophy Spirits Show

Home
About the show
Entry kit 2026
Judges
Winners and Results
Galleries
Glossary

Home
About the show
Entry kit 2026
Judges
Winners and Results
Galleries
Glossary

2026 Judges’ Feedback

Recordings were made of the chairman’s review and the judges’ opinions of the various categories.

Watch the 2026 Judges’ Feedback videos below.

Michael Fridjhon - An overview

Michael Fridjhon - Judging Spirits is different

Andy Watts - Malt and Grain

Carla Weightman - Paying attention to each class

Dave Gunns – Good value and ultra premium whisky

Dave Gunns – The trustworthy message to consumers

Jason McEvoy – premium whisky market vs good value

Kresan Naidu – What’s happened with gin

Mare Loe Prinsloo - Balance and Quality

Neil Paterson - Bourbon

Neil Paterson - Irish Whiskey

Neil Paterson - Other sources of Malt

Sean Gunns - Talking Tequila and Terroir

Winnie Bowman CWM – Cape Brandy vs Cognac

Winnie Bowman CWM – On Cape Brandy’s Home grown Advantage

Judges

Judges 2026 2025 Judges’ Feedback 2024 Judges’ Feedback

The Investec Trophy Spirits Show on Facebook

Trophy Spirits Show is with Investec and Wine Wizard.

3 days ago

A diverse lineup makes it tough to crown a trophy winner. Fortunately, after 25 years, our judges have perfected the process - taking meticulous notes and ranking the best of the best to ensure only true excellence wins. #investectss2026 #CelebrateExcellence ... See MoreSee Less

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trophyspiritshow

The Investec Trophy Spirits Show is open to all producers and importers in the spirits and liqueurs sector in South Africa. #InvestecTSS2026

“We have lovely brandy routes and (brandy) homes.

“We have lovely brandy routes and (brandy) homes. We have a wider variety in South Africa; there’s something for everyone, including infused brandies.”

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence
🎥@pierrezyl

A diverse lineup makes it tough to crown a trophy

A diverse lineup makes it tough to crown a trophy winner. Fortunately, our judges have perfected the process - taking meticulous notes and ranking the best of the best to ensure only true excellence wins.

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

“It’s important, regardless of the size of the cla

“It’s important, regardless of the size of the class, to judge each sample on its own merit. Making sure they are technically sound, balanced, and true to the style they are supposed to be judged in.”
#celebrateexcellence #investectss2026
🎥@pierrezyl

“Cognac and Cape brandy are made the same way - do

“Cognac and Cape brandy are made the same way - double pot still aged in barrels. The SA brandies are more fruit forward, and taste a touch sweeter. Cape Brandy is easy to drink with more versatility, and we have different varieties, brandies made from Chenin, which is not used in Cognac.”

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence
🎥@pierrezyl

“I’d always like to think that if I see a product

“I’d always like to think that if I see a product that has the Investec Trophy Spirits Award on it, the consumers understand that the judging has been done at the highest possible level. A lot of thought, care and expertise has gone into judging those products”.

#celebrateexcellence #investectss2026
🎥@pierrezyl

On the local craft community…” Those who have rem

On the local craft community…” Those who have remained (post Covid), have become profoundly good producers…that quality is there for all to see. The exciting class from a local perspective, remained Cape Brandy, which is world-class.”

#investectss2026 #CelebrateExcellence
🎥 @pierrezyl

Kindred spirits with an intense focus. 🥃✨ Meet

Kindred spirits with an intense focus. 🥃✨

Meet the noses and palates behind this year’s Trophy Spirits Show! From Cape brandy to exceptional whiskeys, they tasted it all, so you know exactly what to add to your cart.

Stay tuned - their unfiltered video insights drop next. 🎬

🥃 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻

🥃 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻!
We’ve been a bit quiet on this channel lately, but for good reason: our panels have been engaged in the task of evaluating this year’s 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 entries!

Looking back at the judging, the tasting benches saw an incredible display of craft and character. Our experts have sipped, analysed, and debated their way through an extraordinary lineup - from vibrant botanical gins and liqueurs to beautifully aged pot-still brandies and whiskies.

The bottles are now back on the shelves, the panels have spoken, and the official scores are safely locked away.
Watch this space. The absolute best of the best will be revealed when the official results drop.

Whether you’re a fan of a classic neat pour or a perfectly balanced cocktail, you’ll want to stay tuned for this.

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. ✨

There is a fine line between a master distiller and an alchemist. It’s a craft defined by patience, respect for heritage, and an obsessive pursuit of purity.

The Investec Trophy Spirits Show is South Africa’s only competition dedicated exclusively to distilled spirits and liqueurs. From the gleaming copper stills of boutique distilleries to the world’s most iconic brands, we identify the absolute pinnacle of the craft.

This isn’t just a competition; it’s a celebration of the masters who have perfected the art of mixology and the science of the spirit.

🏆 Discover the world’s finest spirits - link in bio.

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

📷 @pierrezyl @oldroaddistillery @renaldofourie @pallomanuel

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗡𝗼𝘄! Open

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗡𝗼𝘄!

Open to all producers and importers, the show scores and ranks all products across a series of categories, identifying the gold, silver and bronze medallists and awarding a trophy to best-in-class submissions providing they are of gold medal standard.

Link in bio. 🔗

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

@investec @winewizardsa @grande_roche
📷 @riedelsouthafrica @danienelphoto

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 – and this year, you only get one chance to be part of the 8th anniversary line‑up.

Link in bio🔗

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 When an Investec

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀
When an Investec Trophy Spirits Show medal lands on your bottle, it doesn’t just look good – it moves stock. A strong result here is proven to drive immediate online demand, with winners snapped up within days of the results going live. Being part of the line-up puts your spirits in front of high‑value buyers who actively use these results to decide what to list, stock and collect. If you want medals that shift cases, not just perceptions, enter the Investec Trophy Spirits Show before 10 April.
Link in bio 🔗
#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence
📷 @riedelsouthafrica

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺?

Behind every medal is a meticulous process designed to separate the simply good from the truly exceptional. Spirits are tasted blind – poured into neutral glassware with no bottles, brands or price points in sight – so that every decision is based purely on what’s in the glass. Judges work through carefully structured flights by category and style, comparing like with like and calibrating their palates throughout the day to keep the standard razor‑sharp.

Each spirit is scored individually, then discussed collectively, with expert panellists debating nuance, balance, complexity and character before any medal is awarded. Only the spirits that consistently impress across the panel rise to the top – which is why an Investec Trophy Spirits Show medal carries serious weight with trade, media and consumers.

If you believe your brandy, whisky, gin, white spirits or aperitifs can stand up to this level of scrutiny, now is the time to put it to the test.
Enter now – link in bio.🔗

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence
📷 @danienelphotogallery

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲

Behind every top‑scoring bottle at the Investec Tr

Behind every top‑scoring bottle at the Investec Trophy Spirits Show is a network of standout partners who help shape South Africa’s premium spirits landscape.

From the specialist retail shelves of Norman Goodfellows, to the curated online selections of Port2Port, the precision logistics of Aspiring Couriers, and the benchmark stemware of Riedel Glassware, these partners help ensure that award‑winning spirits are seen, enjoyed and celebrated in all the right places.

If you craft brandy, whisky, gin, white spirits or aperitifs, this is your opportunity to step into that ecosystem and put your bottles in front of the country’s most influential palates.

Enter now – link in bio.🔗 #investectss2026 #celebrateexcellence

The clock is ticking for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆

The clock is ticking for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄. The entry deadline is fast approaching – producers have until 10 April to secure their place in South Africa’s most coveted spirits line‑up.

If you craft brandy, whisky, gin, white spirits or aperitifs, this is your moment to put your most expressive spirits in front of a top‑tier judging panel and claim serious bragging rights. Don’t let your competitors take the spotlight without you.

Enter now and make sure your bottles are on the table when the judges decide the 2026 winners. Link in bio 🔗

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗷𝗵𝗼𝗻 🍷🥃 At the hel

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗷𝗵𝗼𝗻 🍷🥃
At the helm of the Investec Trophy Spirits Show is Michael Fridjhon – South Africa’s most widely consulted liquor industry authority, a globally respected wine and spirits judge, and one of the country’s leading wine writers.
If you believe your brandy, whisky, gin, white spirits, or aperitifs can stand up to that standard, it belongs in this competition.
With over four decades of experience across production, wholesale and retail, Michael has chaired top competitions on three continents, authored or contributed to more than 40 books, and serves as Visiting Professor of Wine Business at UCT’s Graduate School of Business, where he directs the Wine Judging Academy.

He is the founder and long‑standing chairman of the Trophy Wine Show and, since 2019, chairman of the Trophy Spirits Show – bringing the same rigorous methodology, international benchmarking and obsessive attention to detail to the world of spirits.

When your spirit earns a medal under Michael Fridjhon’s watch, it carries serious weight with trade, media and consumers – locally and abroad.

If you believe your brandy, whisky, gin, white spirits, or aperitifs can stand up to that standard, it belongs in this competition.

Enter now – link in bio.
#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

📷 @danienelphoto

Last, but absolutely not least – meet the man who

Last, but absolutely not least – meet the man who ties it all together. 🏅

*Dave Gunns* – overall spirit guru for the 2026 Investec Trophy Spirits Show. Co‑founder of Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom, home to the largest whisky collection in the Southern Hemisphere – over 1 600 whiskies and counting – and the first Ardbeg Embassy in Africa. What started with a passion project and a trip to the Scottish Highlands in 2006 has grown into one of South Africa’s most celebrated spirits destinations.

As an educator, specialist retailer and devoted spirits enthusiast, Dave is widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost authorities on spirits. His knowledge spans whisky, gin, brandy, rum, tequila and beyond – and he’s been part of the Trophy Spirits Show judging panel since its inaugural year. When it comes to understanding what makes a spirit truly exceptional, Dave Gunns is the man in the room you want tasting yours.

Producers – if your spirit can earn a nod from this guru, it can hold its own anywhere. Enter now – link in bio.
#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

Meet the whisky heavyweights judging the 2026 Inve

Meet the whisky heavyweights judging the 2026 Investec Trophy Spirits Show.

🥃 Jason McEvoy – CEO of Norman Goodfellows, one of South Africa’s most respected names in premium wine and spirits. With close to two decades steering the business and an obsessive passion for exceptional whisky, Jason knows exactly what separates a good dram from a great one.

🥃 Neil Paterson – Co‑founder of WhiskyBrother, South Africa’s only dedicated specialist whisky retailer, and CEO of the Spirit Vault Collective in Singapore, where he sources and trades rare and collectible whiskies for a global network of investors. A decade‑plus deep in the whisky world, Neil’s palate is as sharp as his eye for quality.

🥃 Andy Watts – An inductee of the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, World Whisky Ambassador of the Year and Icons of Whisky Master Blender of the Year, Andy is widely regarded as the godfather of South African whisky.

Three world‑class whisky minds. One judging table. If your whisky has the depth, character and craft to earn their respect, this is your moment.
Enter now – link in bio.🔗
#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

Meet the gin and white spirits panel behind the 𝟮𝟬

Meet the gin and white spirits panel behind the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄.

🍸 𝗗𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗲‑𝗟𝗼𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗼– PhD in organic chemistry, Lead Intrinsic Research at Heineken Beverages and former Head of Brandy and Other Spirits Excellence at Distell. With nearly two decades across brandy, gin, vodka, liqueurs and aperitifs, she brings deep technical expertise and a scientist’s precision to every pour.

🍸 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘀 – Founder of The Whisky Rebellion, one of South Africa’s most sought‑after bespoke tasting experiences. A passionate storyteller with an instinct for what makes a spirit memorable, Sean brings sharp sensory skills honed across countless tastings and industry events to the judging table.

🍸 𝗞𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘂 – Recognised as a global authority on white spirits, with a particular passion for gin. A long‑standing Trophy Spirits Show panellist and respected industry voice, Kresan’s palate is fine‑tuned to detect the subtlest nuances in botanical blends, vodkas and beyond.

Three specialists. One mission: to find the most exceptional gins and white spirits in South Africa. If yours belongs in that conversation, now is the time.
Enter now – link in bio.

#InvestecTSS2026 #CelebrateExcellence

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