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World Whiskies Award 2015 winners announced

The finest products and individuals were celebrated at Whisky Magazine’s most prestigious awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London on Thursday, 19 March. The managing editor of Whisky Magazine, Rupert Wheeler, hosted a dinner for the industry and guests made the journey from as far as Japan, Taiwan, Australia and America to join the celebrations. During the evening, three of the magazine’s top awards were announced and presented including Icons of Whisky Global 2015, the World Whiskies Awards 2015 and the Hall of Fame 2015.

Rupert says: “I was delighted to welcome all our guests to the ceremony last night. The evening was a huge success and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our international panel of judges and all of our sponsors.”

THE RESULTS

World Whiskies Awards 2015, chairman - Neil Ridley

Single Malt Sponsored by Rankin Cork

World’s Best Single Malt and Best Asian Single Malt   Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Cask Strength

Best Islay Single Malt   Ardbeg Kildalton

Best Islands Single Malt   Ledaig 10 Years Old

Best Speyside Single Malt   The BenRiach 16 Years Old

Best Highland Single Malt   Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years Old

Best Campbeltown Single Malt   Longrow 11 Years Old

Best Lowland Single Malt   Highland Harvest Organic Single Malt Sauternes Wood

Best Japanese Single Malt   Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 18 Years Old

Best European Single Malt   Mackmyra Iskristall

Best Australian Single Malt   Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask Matured

Best Irish Single Malt   Teeling Whiskey Single Malt

Best American Single Malt   Balcones Texas Single Malt

Best African Single Malt   Three Ships Single Malt 10 Years Old

Design Awards chair -  Felicity Murray

World’s Best Design   Haig Club, Diageo
Blue, gold and beautiful, this innovative design by Love is a grand departure from traditional whisky that will hopefully draw a younger audience. With its groundbreaking shape and stand out colour it's positioned itself well in what was becoming a tired category. It "shall do for whisky what Absolut has done for vodka".

World’s Best Design Agency   Stranger & Stranger
Stranger & Stanger scooped a total of six medals across the categories in the World Whiskies Design Awards. With fine attention to detail, the agency's strong stiking designs reflect the handcrafted nature of the liquids inside. No element of the packaging has been overlooked.

Blended Sponsored by McLaren Packaging

World’s Best Blended and Best Scotch Blended   That Boutique-y Whiskey Company Blended Whisky #1 Batch 1

Best Japanese Blended   Suntory Hibiki 21 Years Old

Best Irish Blended   Tullamore D.E.W. Phoenix

Best European Blended   Black Mountain Whisky Sélection BM No1

Best African Blended   Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish

Blended Malt Sponsored by G. F. Smith

World’s Best Blended Malt and Best Japanese Blended Malt   Nikka Whisky Taketsuru Pure Malt 17 Years Old

Best Scotch Blended    Wemyss Malts Velvet Fig

American Whiskey

World’s Best American and Best American Rye   Thomas H. Handy Sazerac

Canadian Whisky

World’s Best Canadian Whisky and Best Canadian Blended   Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve

Pot Still

World’s Best Pot Still   Redbreast Single Pot Still 15 Years Old

Grain Whisky

World’s Best Grain and Best European Grain   Darkness! North British 18 Years Old Oloroso Cask Finish

Best Japanese Grain   Kirin, The Fuji Gotemba Distillery Blender’s Choice Single Grain Whisky

Flavoured Whisky

World’s Best Flavoured and Best European Flavoured   Master of Malt 40 Years Old Speyside Whisky Liqueur

Best American Flavoured   Sons of Liberty Seasonals Hop Flavored Whiskey

For the complete list of results including all Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, visit worldwhiskiesawards.com

Icons of Whisky Global 2015, chairman - Rupert Wheeler

Whisky Distiller of the Year in association with Glencairn Crystal   The BenRiach Distillery Company

Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year in association with Multi Packaging Solutions   Buffalo Trace Distillery

Craft Whisky Producer of the Year   St. George Spirits

Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year in association with Christie’s   Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year in association with Broxburn   Ian Chang, Kavalan Distillery

Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year in association with Boisdale   Jack Teeling, Teeling Whisky Company

Whisky Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year   Julie Gorham, Four Roses Distillery

Whisky Retailer of the Year – Multiple Outlets   Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop

Whisky Retailer of the Year – Single Outlet   Berry Bros. & Rudd

Whisky Retailer of the Year – Online   Royal Mile Whiskies www.royalmilewhiskies.com

Whisky Distributor of the Year   Southern Wine & Spirits

Whisky Importer of the Year   Whisk-e Ltd

For the complete list of results including the shortlist, visit iconsofwhisky.com

Hall of Fame, Sponsored by Amorim, chairman - Rupert Wheeler

Inductee 25   Steve Beal, Diageo

Inductee 26   Al Young, Four Roses

Inductee 27   Bill Samuels Jr., Maker’s Mark Distillery

Inductee 28   Bill Lark, Lark Distillery

Inductee 29   Seiichi Koshimizu, Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

Inductee 30   Jim Beveridge, Diageo

For the complete list of inductees, visit whiskymag.com

25 March 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor