Twenty-four spirits from Belgium earned gold, silver, or bronze medals at the 26th edition of ‘Spirits Selection by CMB,’ an international competition recognising the best spirits.
The event, organised by the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), took place in China earlier this month, but the results have now announced.
Experts blind-tasted around 2,750 samples from 62 countries.
The Belgian winners included renowned names such as Belgian Owl, Waterloo Whisky, Filliers, Gervin, and Radermacher. “Belgian productions are gradually making their mark in the highly competitive spirits world with 15 Silver Medals and 9 Gold Medals,” noted the CMB.
For whiskies alone, the number of Belgian participants increased from 13 in 2023, from three producers, to 19 this year, from five producers. This year, they won six Gold Medals, doubling their score from the previous edition.
Belgian gin, however, saw a slight decline, dropping from 25 entries in 2023 to 19 this year. This perhaps reflects a “general fatigue” with gin, currently experiencing a slowdown, according to the CMB. The Gold Medal was awarded to one of Belgium’s industry pillars, Distillerie Radermacher, for its Raerener Töpfergeist Organic Gin.
Internationally, Scotland made a strong impression with 57% of its participants winning awards and securing 21 medals. French producers won 75 medals, including 4 Grand Gold Medals, achieving a medallist rate of 31% (down from 34% last year).
