Another two golds for Suntory and Nikka

Japanese whisky makers scooped two of the top three awards for Scottish-style whisky at the 2010 World Whisky Awards.

The award for the World's Best Single Malt Whisky went to the Ardbeg Corryvreckan from Islay, but the two blended whisky awards went East. Suntory's premium Hibiki 21 years old blended whisky won the "World's Best Blended Whisky" prize while Nikka's Taketsuru 21 years old went home with the "World's Best Blended Malt Whisky" title. It won the same crown last year.

Tetsuji Hisamitsu, Nikka's chief blender, said: "As a blender, it was a great joy that Taketsuru 21 won the world best award for the second consecutive year. This is very encouraging. We owe this prize to everyone who is working to keep the spirit of [Masataka] Taketsuru alive and who is working to keep improving the quality of our product. I would like to thank everyone who supported the endeavour. Above all, I would like to share this occasion with those who love Nikka products and keep supporting us. Kampai to all of you. Thank you very much."

Other Japanese subcategory winners:
Best Non-Scotch Blended Malt no age blended whisky- Ichiro's Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve
Best Non-Scotch Blended Malt 12 and under blended whisky - Nikka - Taketsuru 12 Years Old
Best Non-Scotch blended malt 21 years and over blended whisky - Taketsuru 21 Years Old
Best Japanese Single Malt Whisky ~ Yamazaki Sherry Cask
Best Japanese Blended Whisky - Hibiki 21 Years Old
Japanese no age single malt - Yamazaki Sherry Cask
Japanese 12 and under single malt- Ichiro’s Malt, Six of Clubs, 10 Years Old
Japanese 13-20 single malt- Nikka, Yoichi 1989, 20 Years Old
Japanese 21 and over single malt- Ichiro’s Malt, Card King of Hearts, 23 Years Old
Japanese no age blended whisky- Nikka from the barrel
Japanese Blended 12 and under blended whisky - Hibiki 12 Years Old
Japanese Blended 13-20 blended whisky - Hibiki 17 Years Old
Japanese Blended 21 and over blended whisky- Hibiki 21 Years Old