South African brandy producers have had a strong showing on the international and local stage, with major wins at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in London and the Veritas Awards in Cape Town. Among the highlights, KWV was named Brandy Producer of the Year at the ISC, while the Veritas Awards recognised 29 brandies, marking one of the category’s strongest medal performances in recent years.
The results reflect the continued recognition of South African brandy, with local producers earning accolades across different styles and maturation periods.
“South African brandy continues to show that it belongs among the best in the world,” says Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the SA Brandy Foundation. She adds that the results reflect the skill, patience and passion of producers, as well as their commitment to quality in an evolving market.
South African brandy shines at the 2026 Veritas Awards
Presented by the SA National Wine Show Association, the Veritas Awards celebrate achievement in the South African wine and brandy industries. This year’s winners were announced at a gala dinner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday, 10 October.
The brandy category recorded 29 medal winners, with a particularly strong showing among the top awards. Every medal-winning brandy received Silver Outstanding or higher, while potstill brandies continued to perform well. Four of the six Double Gold medals awarded to potstill brandies went to expressions aged 15 years or older.
KWV was the leading producer by medal count, securing nine medals, equivalent to 31% of the category’s total. Together, KWV and Van Ryn’s accounted for approximately 48% of all brandy medals awarded.
The results also reflected changes among medal recipients, with a notable increase in newcomers making their mark.
Veritas Awards 2026 brandy winners
In the Potstill Brandy category, the Double Gold winners were Boplaas 20, KWV 15, KWV XO, Sydney Back 15, Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 12 Years and Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 20 Years.
Gold medals went to Bontstaan Brandewyn, Boschendal Potstill Brandy XXO Aged 21 Years, KWV 10, KWV 12, KWV 20, KWV VSOP Signature Release, Nuy, Old Road Distillery Co. 15, Simonac Cape Brandy Aged 15 Years, Sydney Back 25 and Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy Aged 15 Years.
In the Standard Brandy category, Nuy 3 Year Barrel Select received Double Gold, while KWV 5 and Namaqua Brandy 5 earned Gold.
KWV leads South African brandy producers at the International Spirits Challenge
The success at Veritas followed the International Spirits Challenge awards in London on 6 October. Now in its 31st year, the ISC is one of the longest-running international competitions dedicated to spirits, bringing producers into competition across a range of categories.
South African brandy accounted for 37% of entries in the ISC’s Brandy category medal rankings. Local producers secured 13 of the 27 Gold-or-better results, representing 48% of the category’s top awards.
KWV delivered a particularly strong performance, taking all three trophies in the Brandy category and four of the five Double Gold medals. All nine of its products entered in the competition received Gold or higher, with awards spanning a broad selection of its range.
The producer received trophies for KWV XO and KWV 20 Year, as well as the overall Brandy Producer of the Year title. Double Gold medals went to KWV 3, KWV 5, KWV 12 and KWV VSOP, while KWV 10, KWV 15 and KWV VS received Gold.
Van Ryn’s also performed well, with all four of its expressions earning Gold medals. Three of these were in the potstill subcategory for brandies aged 11 years and older, highlighting the strength of its maturation programme.
Gold medals were awarded to Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 10, Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 12Y, Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 15 and Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 20.
Recognition for South African brandy
The results at both competitions highlight the range of South African brandy receiving recognition, from younger expressions to extensively matured potstill brandies.
For more information about South African brandy, visit SA Brandy. Readers can also follow the South African Brandy Foundation on Facebook at @SouthAfricanBrandyFoundation and on Instagram at @SA_Brandy for industry news, tasting events, brandy routes, cocktails and other updates.
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