The Whisky Magazine Awards comprise the Icons of Whisky, World Whiskies Awards, and Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame
The global results of the Whisky Magazine Awards 2022 have been revealed at the competition's first in-person ceremony in three years.
The industry's finest gathered at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on 24 March to celebrate the global winners of the 2022
Icons of Whisky and
World Whiskies Awards, as well as honouring the latest inductees to the prestigious
Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
It followed in-person ceremonies in Dublin and Edinburgh and virtual presentations for America and Rest of World to announce regional winners in the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards, which were then put forward to compete for the global titles.
This year's global winners in the Icons of Whisky – celebrating the very best people and places in the industry – include
Buffalo Trace Distillery, which gained the title of Distiller of the year, as well as
Sullivans Cove Distillery, which took home the title of Craft Distiller of the year, and
Kevin O’Gorman of Midleton Distillery, who was named Master Distiller/Master Blender of the year.
The World Whiskies Awards also named its World’s Best winners across the breadth of categories within whisky, decided on by an expert judging panel. This year’s winners include
The Lakes Distillery’s The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4, which took home the World’s Best Single Malt, and Redemption’s Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon 10 Years Old as the World’s Best Bourbon.
Induction into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame is the highest honour bestowed by this title, and 2022 saw four titans of the global industry inducted: Garvin Brown, board chairman at Brown-Forman; Paul P. John, chairman of John Distilleries; La Maison du Whisky CEO Thierry Bénitah; and Jota Tanaka, master blender and executive fellow at Kirin Brewing Company.
On the Icons of Whisky results, Christopher Coates, editor of
Whisky Magazine, said: "The global whisky industry has taken the challenges of the past few years in its stride, and the strength of the entries we've received to our Icons awards for 2022 reflects this perfectly.
"As always, we have been inspired by each and every one of our Icons nominees. Regardless of where in the world they are located or the part of the industry they work in, it is apparent that all are united by an unrivalled passion for whisky and a shared commitment to excellence in their respective fields."
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, commented on the World Whiskies Awards: "We must extend a heartfelt thanks to our judges, who all met online in dedicated tasting sessions to share their expertise and evaluate each sample individually. It’s been an incredible experience.
"None of this would have been possible without all the great people involved, across all parts of the operation, who were willing to help and work together to make this a great year for the World Whiskies Awards. We have seen increased numbers of whiskies entered and measurably improved quality across the board. We’re looking forward to next year already."
The full results of the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards can be found below.Icons of Whisky 2022 Global Winners
Distiller of the year Sponsored by Glencairn CrystalBuffalo Trace Distillery
Master Distiller/Master Blender of the yearSponsored by Whisky AuctioneerKevin O’Gorman, Midleton Distillery
Craft Producer of the year Sponsored by Wade Ceramics Sullivans Cove Distillery
Sustainable Distillery of the year Westland Distillery
Distillery Manager of the year Sponsored by Larkfire Ed Thom, The Glenmorangie Distillery
Visitor Attraction of the year Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
Visitor Attraction Manager of the yearEwan Paterson, Clonakilty Distillery
Independent Bottler of the year Lady of the Glen
Campaign Innovator of the year Sponsored by Berlin Packaging UKWestland Distillery
Brand Innovator of the yearSponsored by WestRockM&H Distillery
World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year Sandra Tsai, Kavalan Distillery
Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year Martin Markvardsen, Highland Park
Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the yearRobert Caldwell, Teeling Distillery
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the yearPhilip Rawleigh, 291 Colorado Whiskey
Communicator of the yearSponsored by McLaren PackagingFelipe Schrieberg
PR Agency of the year SPEY
Chef of the year Jason Nolan, Celtic Whisky Bar & Larder
Bartender of the yearPankaj Balachandran, Tesouro
Bar Manager of the year Padraic Rafter, Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant
Whisky Hotel Bar of the year The Spirit Safe, The Station Hotel
Whisky Bar of the yearSponsored by The Craft Irish Whiskey CompanyKaleidoscope, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Whisky Bar Group of the year Goodnight Group
Buyer of the year Mike Sharples, Abbey Whisky
Travel Retailer of the yearAer Rianta International (ARI), The Loop
Online Retailer of the year Sponsored by The GlenturretAbbey Whisky
Own Brand Supermarket of the year Lidl Ireland
Supermarket of the year SuperValu
Single Outlet Retailer of the year Sponsored by The Glenturret Tonique
Multiple Outlets Retailer of the year Sponsored by The Craft Irish Whiskey Company Robert Graham 1874
World Whiskies Awards 2022 Global Winners
World’s Best Single Malt Best English, No Age StatementThe Lakes Distillery, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4
World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt Best Scotch Islay, 12 Years & UnderStalla Dhu, Caol Ila 11 Years Old Cask Strength
World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt Best American, 12 Years & UnderThe Notch Nantucket, 12 Years Old
World’s Best BlendedBest Japanese, No Age StatementThe Akkeshi, Shosho
World’s Best Canadian BlendedBest No Age StatementCrown Royal, Noble Winter Wheat
World’s Best Blended Limited ReleaseBest Canadian, 21 Years & OverPike Creek, 22 Years Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
World’s Best Blended Malt Best Japanese, No Age StatementYamazakura, Blended Malt Asaka
World’s Best BourbonBest Non Kentucky Redemption, Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon 10 Years Old
World’s Best Small Batch BourbonBest Non KentuckyWidow Jane, Aged 10 Years
World’s Best Single Barrel BourbonBest KentuckyBlanton’s, The Original
World’s Best TennesseeBest Age StatementJack Daniel’s, 10 Years Old
World’s Best CornBest American, 12 Years & UnderIronroot Republic, Icarus
World’s Best WheatBest AmericanBainbridge, Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Cask
World’s Best Rye Best Dutch, 12 Years & Under Millstone, 100 Rye Whiskey
World’s Best Pot StillBest Irish, No Age StatementTeeling Whiskey, Wonders of Wood
World’s Best GrainBest Irish, No Age StatementThe Whistler, Mosaic Marsala Cask
World’s Best Single Cask Single GrainBest Australian, 12 Years & UnderWhipper Snapper, Australian Wheat
World’s Best New Make & Young SpiritBest Canadian, New MakeMacaloney’s, Seaweed-Peated Clearach
World’s Best FlavouredBest AmericanWhiskeysmith, Blood Orange
World’s Best DesignBest Limited ReleaseSpirit Thief Distilling Co., Limited Edition Set