What is the sweetest thing about victories? Just that they are won time and again! Yes, indeed, they are earned rather than simply occur.
And we have done it again – we have earned another victory!
It was only earlier this spring that we were celebrating the triumph of our drinks at the London Spirits Competition and, of course, were not slow in sharing that joyful news with you as well, and here we are – another triumph, at IWSC this time!
Can you recall that feeling you get when you uncork a bottle of something special? Why, those are the moments precisely that our masters create. A victory is, first and foremost, about recognition. The recognition of experts, of professionals, true, but, above all, of those whom you bring joy, be it a moment of quiet bliss with a glass of Grappolo by a gently cracking fireplace or a boisterous, soaring fun-time with friends as you all are savouring pear or mulberry vodka. And, let’s be honest – nailing an achievement such as this? It is indeed something to crow about especially!
This time, the fanfares of victory sound from IWSC – the International Wine and Spirit Competition, one of the world’s oldest competitions, held in London since 1969 and covering more than 12,000 specimens from over ninety countries every year. But what did happen there this year?
What happened there was that SAVALAN-Aspi Winery submitted its remarkable distillates for expert judgement and three of them came home bearing well-won prizes!
Our unique grappa SAVALAN Grappolo won the gold with the impressing 95 points. The judges fell hard for its bouquet, a vibrant and fresh one bursting with ripe melon and English rose notes. They pinpointed our Grappolo’s sweet, fruity acidity weaving through intricate layers of dried apricot, toasted seeds, and… the crisp hint of cool, wet stone on the palate. Pure poetry in a glass, what?
SAVALAN Tut Arağı (our mulberry vodka) won the bronze with 89 points. The judges were moved by how peppery hints shimmer in its plum aromatic notes whilst the mild, sweet taste plays with bright fruity accents and gives a pure aftertaste with delicate fruit-stone notes.
SAVALAN Armud Arağı – the pear vodka that we make – won the bronze, too, with 87 points. The expert panel were conquered by its spicy aroma with grassy and earthy notes transforming to a fine pear and somewhat honeyed taste on the steady woody basis.
It must be said that the IWSC assessment procedure overrules whatever bias. The double blindfold tasting at the competition mean that the samples are served behind a veil without the producer or even the region of origin of any given beverage being specified. And, by the way, anything that gleans gold medals is subject to review by a special commission, mind you!
If anything, the prestige of IWSC is attested by the fact that it is often called ‘The Drinks Industry Olympics’. Arguably, a thing would be called ‘the Olympics’ for nothing, wouldn’t you say? A victory at such an event means a lot. Let’s not be unreasonably modest this once because, this time, ladies and gentlemen, we at SAVALAN went through a rigorous and impartial assessment at IWSC and proved – again! – that the drinks we make did earn their places in the global family of noble distillates.
The competition is over. The certificates have been handed out. The work continues. We already look forward because we at SAVALAN thrive on passion, on forever chasing new heights of quality and craftsmanship.
Movement is life, wise men said. We believe this fervently, too. We at SAVALAN are always in motion; we are always after new peaks of quality. This is what we live for and with. Is it a credo of sorts? Could be, for some. For us, it is just the very essence of what we do.
And, judging by the outcomes, we are on the right path!
Best regards,
Fuad Seyidaliyev and Arif Rahimov
Founders and Co-owners of SAVALAN-ASPI Winery