The American whisky industry gathered for an evening of celebration as winners were announced in the USA regional legs of the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards 2024.
On Thursday 8 February, many of the most recognisable names in the industry gathered at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, from master distillers and visitor experience managers to brand ambassadors and communicators, to celebrate this year’s regional competitors.
In the Icons of Whisky, Heaven Hill Distillery was named Distiller of the Year, Greg Metze from Old Elk Distillery took the title of Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year, and Visitor Attraction of the Year was awarded to Buffalo Trace Distillery.
The event also saw the announcement of the Round 1 Category Winners for the United States in the World Whiskies Awards 2024 (including Best Bourbon and Best Tennessee Whiskey), and the unveiling of two new American inductees to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame: Joseph J. Magliocco from Michter’s owner Chatham Imports, and Freddie Johnson from Buffalo Trace Distillery.
The Kentucky ceremony followed the Icons of Whisky regional Ireland leg, which took place in Dublin in November, the Whisky Magazine Awards Scotland, held in Edinburgh in December, and the announcement of the World Whiskies Awards country winners (excluding Scotland and the USA) and the Icons of Whisky Rest of World winners on 1 February. This year’s awards are particularly special, as Whisky Magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary on 20 November 2023.
Run by the team at Whisky Magazine, the Icons of Whisky aim to celebrate the best and brightest people and places in the sector – not just the distilleries and the teams that work in them, but also the individuals and businesses that work to support and promote them and their products.
The World Whiskies Awards commend the best whiskies from around the world in a wide variety of categories including Single Malt, Bourbon, Blended, and Rye.
A number of awards were sponsored by major names in the world of whisky and suppliers to the industry, including: Brindiamo Group, Glencairn Crystal, IPL Packaging, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and McLaren Packaging. The Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame is sponsored by Amorim Top Series.
Regional winners are encouraged to attend the Whisky Magazine Awards in London on 20 March 2024, where the global winners will be crowned. Tickets are available here.
Bethany Brown, editor of Whisky Magazine and chair of judges for the Icons of Whisky, said: “Recent data from the American Craft Spirits Association revealed that the United States’ craft distilling industry is firmly on the up. This is fantastic news not only for craft distillers, who are doing phenomenal work and creating incredible whiskeys that deserve wider appreciation, but also for us as consumers as a greater variety of products become more accessible. While celebrating these gains for small producers, we must not forget the contribution of the US’ larger whiskey distilling companies to the category’s continued success, which are driving industry-leading innovations in areas such as sustainable production and visitor experience.
“Through the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards, we aim to celebrate the very best of the American whiskey world. Here, size doesn’t matter – it’s what you do with it that counts, and there are some truly remarkable things being done.”
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, added: “The American whiskey industry saw another very successful year at the World Whiskies Awards. With judging sessions in Kentucky and Washington DC, we have seen many outstanding products shared amongst our fantastic judges, with a special thanks to Maggie Kimberl and Steve Beal. Year on year we are seeing an ever-increasing quality standard in products and diversifying portfolios, which are making us look forward to next year already.”
Full lists of the USA winners in the Icons of Whisky 2024 and World Whiskies Awards 2024 can be found below. Discover more about the competitions at www.worldwhiskiesawards.com.
Icons of Whisky America 2024 Winners and Highly Commended
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador – sponsored by McLaren Packaging
Winner
Paul Hletko, FEW Spirits
Highly Commended
Matt Ray, Sazerac House
Brand Innovator – sponsored by IPL Packaging
Winner
291 Colorado Whiskey
Highly Commended
Eagle Rare 25
Campaign Innovator
Winner
Prohibition Collection
Highly Commended
Breckenridge Distillery
Craft Producer
Winner
Balcones Distilling
Highly Commended
FEW Spirits
Distiller – sponsored by Glencairn Crystal
Winner
Heaven Hill Distillery
Highly Commended
Nearest Green Distillery
Distillery Manager
Winner
Marcia Likarish, Ironroot Republic Distillery
Independent Bottler
Winner
Single Cask Nation
Master Distiller/Master Blender – sponsored by Brindiamo Group
Winner
Greg Metze, Old Elk Distillery
Highly Commended
Paul Hletko, FEW Spirits
Production Team
Winner
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
Sustainability Officer
Winner
Melanie Gourley, Westland Distillery
Highly Commended
Rachel Nally, Heaven Hill Brands
Visitor Attraction
Winner
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Highly Commended
Westland Distillery
Visitor Attraction Manager
Winner
Dee Ford, Angel’s Envy Distillery
Highly Commended
Phoebe Dawson, Westland Distillery
Visitor Attraction Team
Winner
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Highly Commended
Westland Distillery
Warehouse Manager
Winner
Scott Sell, Westland Distillery
World Whiskies Awards 2024: Category Winners, Round 1, America
Finished Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky
Breckenridge – Port Cask Finish
Best Kentucky
15 Stars – Sherry Cask Finish
Small Batch Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky
Laws Whiskey House – Four Grain Bourbon Cask Strength
Best Kentucky
Four Roses – Small Batch Bourbon
Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky
Preemption – Single Barrel Texas Straight Bourbon
Best Kentucky
Four Roses – Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky
Robert Fulton – Straight Bourbon
Best Kentucky
1792 – 12 Years Old
New Make & Young Spirit
New Make
Chattanooga Whiskey – Silver
Flavoured
Stillhouse – Peanut Butter S’mores Whiskey
American Style Whiskey
FEW – American Straight Whiskey
Pot Still
12 Years & Under
Talnua – Olde Saint’s Keep 2023
Blended Malt
12 Years & Under
Lost Lantern – Flame
Blended Limited Release
12 Years & Under
Wenzel Whiskey – Wheated Two
Blended
12 Years & Under
Barrell Craft Spirits
Corn
12 Years & Under
Ironroot Republic – Hubris
Grain
No Age Statement
Bainbridge – Yama Mizunara Cask
Wheat
12 Years & Under
Lone Elm – Single Barrel
Single Cask Single Rye
12 Years & Under
Proof and Wood – Tumblin’ Dice Single Barrel Rye
Rye
12 Years & Under
Saints Alley – Nobleman
Small Batch Single Malt
13 to 20 Years
The Notch Nantucket Island – 15 Years Old
Single Cask Single Malt
12 Years & Under
Hogback Distillery – Wallace Collection Peated Malt
Single Malt – sponsored by IPL Packaging
12 Years & Under
Cedar Ridge – The QuintEssential Special Release
World Whiskies Awards 2024: World’s Best, Round 2, America
American Style Whiskey – sponsored by Brindiamo Group
FEW – American Straight Whiskey
Tennessee Whiskey
Uncle Nearest – 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Finished Bourbon
Breckenridge – Port Cask Finish
Small Batch Bourbon
Laws Whiskey House – Four Grain Bourbon Cask Strength
Single Barrel Bourbon
Four Roses – Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon – sponsored by Kentucky Bourbon Festival
1792 – 12 Years Old
