The finest products, companies and individuals were recognised at our Whisky Magazine Awards ceremony held at the Brandy Library, New York on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
Whisky Magazine's managing editor Rupert Wheeler hosted the presentations alongside senior master of whiskey and World Whiskies Awards (WWA) US chair of judges Steve Beal.
Guests made the journey from all across America to take part in the celebrations. During the event, three of the magazine’s top awards were presented including:
World Whiskies Awards, American Winners 2017
Icons of Whisky America 2017
Hall of Fame, American Inductees
Rupert Wheeler says: "As managing editor of Whisky Magazine, I am delighted that I have been able to present these awards at the Brandy Library in New York. Since taking over as editor three years ago, I have visited the US on several occasions and tasted a large number of superb whiskeys.
"We awarded the American categories of the WWA and I would like to congratulations all the winners. Our Icons awards recognise the enormous number of talented people working in the whisky industry and we ended the evening by inducting two titans of American whiskey into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. On my very first visit to Kentucky, I was fortunate enough to visit Michter's and meet our latest inductee Willie Pratt who gave me a guided tour of the distillery. Congratulations to Willie and Julian Van Winkle on joining the Hall of Fame."
World Whiskies Awards - American Winners
World's Best Bourbon
John J Bowman, Single Barrel Bourbon
America's Best
Blended
Breckenridge, Port Cask Finish
Corn
Ironroot Republic, Hubris Corn
Flavoured
Sons of Liberty Seasonals, Gala Apple Flavored
Grain
Bainbridge, Yama
Kentucky Bourbon
Four Roses, 2016 Limited Edition Small Batch
Non Kentucky Bourbon
John J Bowman, Single Barrel Bourbon
Rye
A D Laws, Secale Straight Rye Bottled in Bond
Single Malt
Virginia Distillery Company, Virginia Highland Malt
Wheat
Bainbridge, Battle Point
Category Gold
American Rye
Hudson, Maple Cask Rye
McKenzie, Straight Rye
American Single Malt
Sons of Liberty, Battle Cry
Sons of Liberty, Uprising
Westland Distillery, Garryana
Breckenridge, Dark Arts
Kentucky Bourbon
1792, Full Proof
Stagg Jr, Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Eagle Rare, 17 Years Old
Non Kentucky Bourbon
Ironroot Republic, Harbinger Bourbon
Joseph Magnus Bourbon, Triple-Cask Finished
Sonoma County, West of Kentucky Bourbon No2
A D Laws, Four Grain
Balcones, Texas Blue Corn Bourbon
Category Silver
American Rye
Sazerac, Straight Kentucky Rye
A D Laws, 2nd Fill Oak Secale Rye Mash
American Single Malt
Westland Distillery, American Oak
Balcones, Rum Cask Finish
Kentucky Bourbon
Elijah Craig, Small Batch
Four Roses, Elliott's Select
Heaven Hill, Select Stock
Non Kentucky Bourbon
291, Colorodo Bourbon Aspen Stave Finished
Hudson, Baby Bourbon
Rock Town, Arkansas Bourbon
Category Bronze
American Rye
Thomas H Handy Sazerac, Uncut Unfiltered
Kentucky Bourbon
Elmer T Lee, Single Barrel Bourbon
Yellowstone, Bourbon
Non Kentucky Bourbon
291, Colorado Bourbon Aspen Stave Finished
Icons of Whisky America 2017:
Distiller, sponsored by Glencairn Crystal
Winner: Beam Suntory
Highly Commended: Heaven Hill Brands
Brand Innovator, sponsored by Multi Packaging Solutions
Winner: Maker's Mark Distillery
HC: Westland Distillery
Visitor Attraction, Sponsored by Christie's
Winner: Buffalo Trace Distillery
HC: Four Roses Distillery
Craft Producer, sponsored by Wade
Winner: Sons of Liberty Spirits Company
HC: Coppersea Distillery
Master Distillery / Master Blender
Winner: Jeff Arnett - Jack Daniel's
HC: Denny Potter - Heaven Hill Distillery
Distillery Manager, sponsored by Broxburn Properties
Winner: Victoria MacRae-Samuels - Maker's Mark Distillery
HC: Ryan Ashley - Four Roses Distillery
Visitor Attraction Manager
Winner: Kimberley Bennett - Beam Suntory
HC: Matt Higgins - Buffalo Trace Distillery
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador
Winner: Adam Harris - Beam Suntory
HC: Bernie Lubbers - Heaven Hill Brands
Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador
Winner: Tim Herlihy - Tullamore DEW
HC: Michael Egan - Beam Suntory
Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador, sponsored by Procurus
Winner: Martin Daraz - The Edrington Group
HC: David Laird - William Grant & Sons
World Whisky Brand Ambassador
Winner: Allison Patel - Brenne Whisky
HC: Raj Sabharwal - Purple Valley Imports
Multiple Outlets Retailer, sponsored by Amrut Distilleries
Winner: Binny's Beverage Depot
HC: Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods
Single Outlet Retailer
Winner: Astor Wines & Spirits
HC: Julio's Liquor
Online Retailer
Winner: Ace Spirits
HC: Binny's Beverage Depot
Travel Retailer
Sponsored by Steklarna Hrastnik
Winner: Duty Free Americas
HC: DFS Group
For full Icons of Whisky results including shortlists, go to www.iconsofwhisky.com
Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame, Inductee No39
Julian Van Winkle III, president, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Hall of Fame, Inductee No40
Willie Pratt, master distiller emeritus, Michter's Distillery
3 March 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor
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