Sat 28 Jul 2012
Dr Bill Lumsden named Guest VIP Spirits Judge at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition
THE Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC), the largest wine and spirit competition in Asia, name Dr Bill Lumsden as ‘Guest VIP Spirits judge’ for 2012.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at The Glenmorangie Company is regarded by the malt whisky industry as the pioneer of wood management, producing whiskies that have truly changed the single malt market.
Dr Lumsden said: “I’m absolutely honoured to be working with the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition. The spirit market in Asia is incredibly exciting, and this is a great opportunity to support the profile of international spirits into this important market place.”
After joining the company in 1995 as Glenmorangie Distillery Manager, he has since taken up the mantle of pioneering extra maturation in different types of oak cask and his ongoing experimentation has involved exotic casks such as ex-Fino Sherry, Claret, Côte de Nuits and Sauternes, as well as the Company’s core range of expressions.
Dr Lumsden has also further developed the Company’s famous slow growth, air-seasoned Ozark Mountain oak barrels, which he routinely uses in the Glenmorangie Ten Years Old and Astar expressions. He selects casks at various ages in order to experiment. He tours wine regions around the world, searching for the best wood that will complement the whiskies and impart unique characteristics all of their own.
Debra Meiburg MW, Competition Director comments: “We’re delighted to have Dr Bill Lumsden as our guest VIP spirits judge this year. He brings with him a tremendous international knowledge which will highlight our commitment to building a strong focus on spirits for the Asian markets.”
HKIWSC Managing Director, Allen Gibbons also commented: “With Hong Kong proving to be the gateway into the Asian wine and spirits market, Dr Bill Lumsden is the perfect person to join the team. It’s an exciting development for the Competition and further highlights the prestige and importance of the Competition in the Asian spirit sector”.
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition, now in its fourth year is the largest wine and spirits competition in Asia and is organised to the highest international standards.
Before judging, wines and spirits are stored at the world renowned Crown Wine Cellars to ensure they reach the judging panels in perfect condition. The results themselves are then checked by a team from KPMG to ensure their accuracy giving entrants complete confidence in the rigor and accuracy of the results.
This year judging takes place between 4th-8th October 2012 with the results announced at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (8th-10th November 2012).
