The medium-intensity Picuda extra virgin olive oil from the Montes de Málaga hills earned international recognition in New York.
Olive Oil Times |
Montes de Málaga, Spain — Grupo Ilves has been awarded a Silver at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for Hacienda el Lince Especial.
Hacienda el Lince Especial is a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil produced from Picuda olives. The oil is distinguished by green almond and arugula aromas, ripe fruit and ripe olive character and a black pepper finish that gives the profile a firm, lingering edge.
Grupo Ilves produces Hacienda el Lince Especial from an extensive estate in the southern Spanish region of the Montes de Málaga hills. Hacienda el Lince spans 80 hectares at 700 to 800 meters above sea level, where elevation and terrain shape the growing conditions for the grove.
The estate traces its history to the 17th century and was once owned by Baldomero Ghiara, whose wife was the aunt of Pablo Picasso. Today, the current owners of Hacienda el Lince remain committed to organic management and aim to minimize their interference in plant production, aligning agronomic decisions with a low-impact approach.
The 2026 Silver continues Grupo Ilves’ track record at the NYIOOC, bringing the producer’s competition history to three Silver awards overall.
The NYIOOC result also contributes to the producer’s standing in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking.
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world's leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.