Due to the current unprecedented global circumstances, this year’s Whisky Magazine Awards called for a necessary change to tradition. Instead of the familiar surroundings of the Honourable Artillery Company in London, the winners of the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky, as well as this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, were announced through social media and
Whisky Magazine itself.
The Icons of Whisky are firstly presented regionally; in America, Australia, China, Ireland, Scotland and Rest of World, then those successful within their region are entered to compete for the global title.
These awards are a celebration of the years of hard work that go into every bottle. From the distillers themselves and brand ambassadors, to visitor centre managers, bars, bar tenders and the industry’s communicators – a great deal of craftsmanship, skill and knowledge are imparted at every stage and this is
Whisky Magazine’s way of saying thank you for their dedication to the industry.
Anthony Denny, publisher and managing editor of Whisky Magazine said: “In an industry that, year after year, continues to improve its game on every level, this year’s Icons of Whisky have been awarded to some truly outstanding companies and individuals, hailing from all over the world. By their own supreme efforts, they have succeeded not just in earning themselves well deserved recognition, but have demonstrated just how dynamic and innovative the whole industry is. It is a real pleasure to celebrate with them.”
For the World Whiskies Awards, a shortlist of country winners was announced on 5 February this year, with a final tasting attended by more than 50 industry experts.
Rob Allanson, chair of judges said: “What an exceptional year it has been in the World Whiskies Awards, with a huge number of extremely high-quality entries, from all corners of the world. Some of the smaller producers have done very well, making the bigger brands sit up and take notice. In the end, amid so much worthy competition, the winners can really claim to have achieved enormous things this year. As ever, I owe a big debt of gratitude to the judging panels around the globe, without whose skill and knowledge we would be a great deal poorer and less informed. “
Whisky Magazine is delighted to start by revealing to you the finest companies and people in the whisky industry, with the Icons of Whisky 2020 winners.
In addition to these winners, we are honoured to include two new Hall of Fame inductees.
Hall of Fame
Sponsored by Amorim Top Series Inductee 67 Mr Daning Hsi
Inductee 68 John Glaser
Icons of Whisky 2020 global winners
Advertising Agency of the Year TBWA, Dublin
Brand Innovator of the YearSponsored by West Rock Irish Distillers
PR Agency of the Year/Communications Agency of the Year SPEY
Communicator of the Year Becky Paskin
Design Agency of the YearSponsored by McLaren Packaging Stranger & Stranger
Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year Turmeaus Cigars & Whisky
Online Retailer of the Year La Maison du Whisky
Own Brand Supermarket of the Year Lidl GB
Single Outlet Retailer of the YearSponsored by The Glenturret WhiskyBrother
Supermarket of the Year Dan Murphy's
Travel Retailer of the Year Big Five Duty Free
Whisky Buyer of the Year Pete Newton, Booths
Whisky Bar Group of the Year Seven Grand
Whisky Bar of the Year Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Bar Manager of the Year Frank Murphy, The Pot Still
Bartender of the Year Cache Bouren, Haberdasher
Whisky Hotel Bar of the Year The Tack Room, Adare Manor
Irish Whiskey Ambassador of the Year Avril Hogan, Dingle Distillery
Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year Georgie Bell, Barcardi Brands
World Whisky Ambassador of the Year Andy Watts, Distell
American Whisky Ambassador of the Year Thalita Alves, Brown-Forman
Distillery Manager of the YearSponsored by Larkfire Scott Sell, Westland Distillery
Master Distiller/Blender of the YearSponsored by Steklarna Hrastnik Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie Distillery
Sustainable DistillerySponsored by Broxburn The James Sedgwick Distillery
Visitor Attraction of the YearSponsored by Christies Buffalo Trace Distillery
Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year Lisa Jameson, Teeling Distillery
Craft Producer of the YearSponsored by Wade Ceramics Dad's Hat
Campaign Innovator of the Year Ardbeg Distillery, Masters of Smoke
Distiller of the YearSponsored by Glencairn Crystal Irish Distillers
World Whiskies Awards 2020 winners
Design Sponsored by Wade Ceramics World's Best Whisky Design Jura 21 Years Old Tide
Taste World's Best Blended WhiskySponsored by McLaren Packaging Dewar's
Double Double 32 Years Old
World's Best Blended Limited ReleaseSponsored by Bruni Erben Ichiro's Malt & Grain
Japanese Blended Whisky Limited Edition 2020
World's Best Blended MaltSponsored by Tapi MacNair's Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
21 Years Old
World's Best CornSponsored by Larkfire Spirit of Hven
MerCurious
World's Best GrainSponsored by Larkfire Fuji
Single Grain 30 Years Old Small Batch
World's Best New MakeSponsored by Royston Labels Macaloney's Caledonian Distillery
Peated Mac na Braiche
World's Best RyeSponsored by Royston Labels Archie Rose
Rye Malt Whisky
World's Best Single Cask Single MaltSponsored by Steklarna Hrastnik Tamdhu
Sandy McIntyre’s SC
World's Best Single MaltSponsored by Rankin The Hakushu
Single Malt 25 Years Old
World's Best Canadian BlendedSponsored by Larkfire J.P. Wiser's
Alumni Whisky Series - Darryl Sittler
World's Best Flavoured Few Spirits
Cold Cut Bourbon
World's Best Pot StillSponsored by UPS Redbreast
21 Years Old
World's Best WheatSponsored by UPS Bainbridge
Two Islands Hokkaido Cask
World's Best Bourbon Ironroot
Harbinger
World's Best Tennessee Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
1820 Single Barrel
World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon Rebel Yell
Single Barrel 10 Years Old
Take a look at
Whisky Magazine Facebook,
World Whiskies Awards Facebook and
Twitter to see how it all happened and for more information on the awards, head to the
World Whiskies Awards website.