American Icons of Whisky 2007

The first American Icons of Whisky awards were handed out during a prestigious lunch in Louisville, Kentucky recently. The international awards recognise the very best people and places in the whisky industry. This year the judging process changed, with regional heats in the US, Japan, Ireland and Scotland. Each regional heat will be voted on by industry members only in that country.

Several of the bourbon industry’s greats attended the awards presentations at the sumptuous Seelbach Hotel on November 9, including the Van Winkles, Woodford Reserve’s Chris Morris, Four Roses’ Jim Rutledge and Heaven Hill’s Larry Kass. The winners from the American Icons, who faced tough competition, will now go forward to a final vote together with the regional winners from Japan, Scotland and Ireland. This will be held in London on the eve Whisky Live of Whisky Live London on March 1.

There were two awards in each category, an Icon and a Highly Commended.

 

The Winners   Ambassador of the Year Bill Samuels, Maker’s Mark Highly Commended Pam Gover, Kentucky Bourbon Festival   Distillers of the Year Buffalo Trace Highly Commended Four Roses   Innovator of the Year Buffalo Trace Highly Commended Heaven Hill   Visitor Attraction of the Year George Washington’s Distillery, Mount Vernon, VA Highly Commended Heaven Hill   Retailer of the Year (Single outlet) LeNell’s, New York Highly Commended Park Avenue Liquor Shop, New York   Retailer of the Year (Multiple outlet) Binny’s, Chicago Highly Commended Beverages and More   Bar/Restaurant of the Year Bourbons Bistro, Louisville Highly Commended Brandy Library, New York   Hotel of the Year Seelbach Hilton, Louisville

Angela Traver (Buffalo Trace) Angela Traver (Buffalo Trace) Brett Pontoni ( Binny's ) John Morrison and Jason Brauner (Bourbons Bistro) The American Icons of Whisky 2007 Lunch