Irish independent whiskey distiller Cooley Distillery has won eight Gold Medals including five Best in Class prizes at two separate spirits competitions in the US.

Medals were won for its Kilbeggan Irish whiskey (pictured) and Connemara Peated Single Malt at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, which judged over 4,000 wines and spirits from across the globe.

Meanwhile, in New York, Cooley collected further Gold Medals and Best in Class awards for three of its Malts – Connemara Cask Strength, Connemara 12 Year Old and Tyrconnell Single Malt.

Jack Teeling, Sales & Marketing Director for Cooley Distillery says: “The US market is now the largest market for Irish whiskey and our performance in these competitions helps reinforce the reputation of Cooley’s whiskeys to the US trade and consumer. ”