Whisky Magazine’s awards season is well underway with the results of the Icons of Whisky America 2016 announced on Saturday 19 September during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
With new categories for this year, including Master Distiller / Master Blender, Travel Retailer and World Whisky Ambassador to name a few, the industry were once again invited to have their say by nominating and voting for their Icons online. A Whisky Magazine editorial panel then had the unenviable task of making the final decision.
Rupert Wheeler, managing editor of Whisky Magazine and chairman of the Icons of Whisky said: “It is exciting to see so many of the industry’s greats celebrated in our awards and I was very privileged to present the winners during The Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting & Gala. I now look forward to a trip to Edinburgh in December to present the winners of the Scotland stage of the awards.”
THE RESULTS
Distiller of the year Sponsored by Glencairn Crystal
Winner: Heaven Hill Brands
Highly Commended: Brown-Forman
Brand Innovator of the year Sponsored by Multi Packaging Solutions
Winner: Jim Beam (Beam Suntory)
Highly Commended: Corsair Artisan Distillery
Visitor Attraction of the year
Winner: Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Highly Commended: Wild Turkey
Craft Producer of the year Sponsored by Wade
Winner: Westland Distillery
Highly Commended: Tuthilltown Spirits
Master Distiller / Master Blender of the year
Winner: Harlen Wheatley – Buffalo Trace
Highly Commended: Greg Davis – Maker's Mark Distillery
Distillery Manager of the year
Winner: Todd Roe – Woodford Reserve
Highly Commended: Victoria MacRae-Samuels – Maker's Mark Distillery and David Perkins – High West Distillery
Visitor Attraction Manager of the year Sponsored by Christie’s
Winner: Dee Ford – Woodford Reserve
Highly Commended: Matt Higgins – Buffalo Trace
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Winner: Bernie Lubbers – Heaven Hill Brands
Highly Commended: Adam Harris – Beam Suntory
Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year
Winner: Simon Brooking – Beam Suntory
Highly Commended: Gregor Cattanach – Diageo North America and Chris Riesbeck – Classic Imports
Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Winner: Tim Herlihy – Tullamore D.E.W.
Highly Commended: John Cashman – Beam Suntory
World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year
Winner: Ewan Morgan – Diageo North America
Highly Commended: Allison Patel – Brenne
Multiple Outlet Retailer of the year Sponsored by Loch Ness Water
Winner: Liquor Barn
Highly Commended: Binny's Beverage Depot
Single Outlet Retailer of the year
Winner: Astor Wines & Spirits
Highly Commended: Park Avenue Liquor Shop
Online Retailer of the year
Winner: Binny’s Beverage Depot – www.binnys.com
Highly Commended: ForWhiskeyLovers – www.forwhiskeylovers.com
Travel Retailer of the year
Winner: Duty Free Americas
Highly Commended: DFS Group
For more information on all the Icons of Whisky Awards, including forthcoming Icons of Whisky Scotland, Rest of World and Global, please contact Rebecca Sterritt on +44 1603 633 808 or rebecca@iconsofwhisky.com.
22 September 2015 - Rebecca Sterritt Paragraph Publishing, content manager
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