A Hat Trick of Awards!
It’s not often I’m left speechless, but just this week I received news that did just that. The Spirits Business Design & Packaging Masters 2021 have awarded The Brollach and The Taoscán the highest award, a Masters, while Shay from my new brand, Le Portier has been awarded a Gold.
These prestigious awards are highly-prized and competition is always fierce. But 2021 was even more competitive than last year with 132 entries from 68 different companies. So to receive any award would have been a huge achievement, but to receive Masters Awards for both The Brollach and The Taoscán, and a Gold Award for Le Portier’s inaugural cognac release, just two weeks after its launch, is an extraordinary recognition of our dedication to craft and design.
Shay VSOP by Le Portier
Shay VSOP is the inaugural release from my latest brand, Le Portier and winning such an award within two weeks of its launch is a validation of the determination and dedication to the craft shown by our award-winning design team. Numerous designs, prototypes and thorough research and development went into the box, the bottle and the collectable obsidian closures so it’s incredible to have that obsession rewarded with such a highly-coveted award.
Of course, while this may be the first award for Shay VSOP, it certainly won’t be the last. This cognac was crafted in collaboration with Shannon Sharpe, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former tight end for the Denver Broncos. Shannon is something of a cognac connoisseur himself and replicating the quality he enjoys in the XO and XXO cognacs he favours was a challenge. But by using older blends than you’d normally find in a VSOP, and regularly tasting the casks, we were able to achieve the same rich, deep notes commonly found in more expensive cognac. It’s only a matter of time before this exceptional flavour profile is rewarded with the highest awards.
The Brollach
A Masters award for The Brollach is its third award from The Spirits Business Awards, following on from Masters Awards in The Global Luxury Masters and Irish Whiskey Masters. With its taste having been recognised by leading judges and whiskey aficionados, this latest award is a testament to the talent of our award-winning team of designers, led by Tiago Russo. It was also a tribute to my late father, with every element of the design honouring him and his skill as a master craftsman and furniture maker. From the raw oak wood of the box to the metalwork that takes its cue from ancient armoury techniques, The Brollach’s design pays homage to my father. To have that design recognised by such an esteemed panel of judges is a momentous occasion.
The Taoscán
And lastly, The Taoscán. The latest release from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., The Taoscán was designed for the finest bars and restaurants, stealing the limelight on the bar. Tiago designed the stand and its accessories to offer the perfect single serve, its open, 360˚ design allowing it to be viewed from every angle, inspiring envy from everyone else in the bar! And as the judges have shown with this award, that envy will be deserved. The walnut stand, the elegant copper stems that lead up to a leather handle, the obsidian top; every part of the design is the pinnacle of design excellence.
So it’s safe to say that this has been a good week. In fact, it’s been a good year. As we speed towards the end of the year, I’m excited to see what 2022 will bring - more awards? More record-breakers? Stay tuned!