Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky has swept the board in the annual on-line Malt Maniac’s Awards.

In a typical show of uncompromising style Laphroaig landed an impressive haul of honours that totalled four top Awards, two Gold and three Silver medals.  Malt Maniac’s highest accolade, the coveted Non-Plus-Ultra Award - presented to the overall top scoring malt - went to Laphroaig 31YO¹ which received an unrivalled average of 93 points from Malt Maniacs around the world.

Laphroaig’s status as the definitive Islay Malt was further reinforced with Laphroaig 13 YO² winning the Islay Award of Excellence whilst Laphroaig 10 YO picked up the Best Bang For Buck Award – which recognises the entry offering the best performance/price ratio.   Not to be left out, portfolio newcomer Laphroaig Quarter Cask won the Daily Dram Award for the best affordable, widely available, all-round single malt whisky!

“These results represent another outstanding achievement for one of the World’s greatest malts, says Michael Cockram, International Marketing Director for Laphroaig.  “What is particularly pleasing is that they represent the views and opinions of knowledgeable and discerning consumers – an all too often forgotten element in mainstream award programmes.  The Laphroaig Quarter Cask results are very welcome and a massive vote of confidence in a Laphroaig style that has both surprised and challenged conventional thinking on oak maturation.  For a Laphroaig to be given the best Daily Dram Award marks a significant point in Laphroaig’s evolution,” concludes Cockram.

The Malt Maniac Awards is an annual award programme from www.maltmadness.com, an independent web site run by and for those with a passion for malt Whisky.  For its third annual Awards programme maltmadness asked 24 judges from 15 countries including the US, Australia, Japan and Holland to blind taste and assess in excess of 100 malt whiskies.  Malts were awarded a medal based on a simple scoring profile  - gold (90+ points), silver (85-89 points) or bronze (80-84 points). The results in all of the categories represent average score from all of the judges.

~ENDS~

Notes:

1. Independent bottling by La Maison du Whisky, sherry, 910 bottles
2. Islay Whisky Festival Limited Edition 
3. Full details of the 2005 Malt Maniac Awards can be found at

            http://www.maltmadness.com/a2005.html