Whisky Magazine Awards 2022: Global winners revealed

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 the title. 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 2022 global Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards are below.

Icons of Whisky Global Winners 2022

Distiller of the year 
Sponsored by Glencairn Crystal
Buffalo Trace Distillery

Master Distiller/Master Blender of the year
Sponsored by Whisky Auctioneer
Kevin 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 year
Ewan Paterson, Clonakilty Distillery 

Independent Bottler of the year 
Lady of the Glen

Campaign Innovator of the year 
Sponsored by Berlin Packaging UK
Westland Distillery 

Brand Innovator of the year
Sponsored by WestRock
M&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 year
Robert Caldwell, Teeling Distillery

American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Philip Rawleigh, 291 Colorado Whiskey 

Communicator of the year
Sponsored by McLaren Packaging
Felipe Schrieberg 

PR Agency of the year 
SPEY

Chef of the year 
Jason Nolan, Celtic Whisky Bar & Larder

Bartender of the year
Pankaj 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 year
Sponsored by The Craft Irish Whiskey Company
Kaleidoscope, 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 year
Aer Rianta International (ARI), The Loop

Online Retailer of the year 
Sponsored by The Glenturret
Abbey 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 Global Winners 2022

World’s Best Single Malt 
Best English, No Age Statement
The Lakes Distillery, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4

World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt 
Best Scotch Islay, 12 Years & Under
Stalla Dhu, Caol Ila 11 Years Old Cask Strength

World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt 
Best American, 12 Years & Under
The Notch Nantucket, 12 Years Old

World’s Best Blended
Best Japanese, No Age Statement
The Akkeshi, Shosho

World’s Best Canadian Blended
Best No Age Statement
Crown Royal, Noble Winter Wheat

World’s Best Blended Limited Release
Best Canadian, 21 Years & Over
Pike Creek, 22 Years Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

World’s Best Blended Malt 
Best Japanese, No Age Statement
Yamazakura, Blended Malt Asaka

World’s Best Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky 
Redemption, Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon 10 Years Old 

World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
Widow Jane, Aged 10 Years

World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Kentucky
Blanton’s, The Original 

World’s Best Tennessee
Best Age Statement
Jack Daniel’s, 10 Years Old 

World’s Best Corn
Best American, 12 Years & Under
Ironroot Republic, Icarus

World’s Best Wheat
Best American
Bainbridge, Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Cask

World’s Best Rye 
Best Dutch, 12 Years & Under 
Millstone, 100 Rye Whiskey 

World’s Best Pot Still
Best Irish, No Age Statement
Teeling Whiskey, Wonders of Wood

World’s Best Grain
Best Irish, No Age Statement
The Whistler, Mosaic Marsala Cask

World’s Best Single Cask Single Grain
Best Australian, 12 Years & Under
Whipper Snapper, Australian Wheat

World’s Best New Make & Young Spirit
Best Canadian, New Make
Macaloney’s, Seaweed-Peated Clearach

World’s Best Flavoured
Best American
Whiskeysmith, Blood Orange

World’s Best Design
Best Limited Release
Spirit Thief Distilling Co., Limited Edition Set

25 March 2022 - Bethany Whymark