Icons of Whisky 2010

[Rob Allanson]

Japanese distiller Suntory has been voted the best distiller in the world in this year's Icons of Whisky, held by Whisky Magazine. The firm, which owns Yamazaki and Bowmore Distilleries, faced stiff competition from a shortlist of international distillers.

To celebrate the people and places behind the greatest whiskies in the world, this year's judging process included regional heats in the U.S., Rest of World and Scotland.

Other big winners included Woodford Reserve, owned by Brown Forman which scooped the Whisky Brand Innovator award for the second time, and whisky retail legends Jack and Wallace Milroy who were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Icon.

The icons were announced at an awards ceremony at the Hurlingham Club, London, on February 26th, held to mark the opening of Whisky Live London.

Winners were:
DISTILLER OF THE YEAR
Suntory, Japan

VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Buffalo Trace Distillery, USA

RETAILER OF THE YEAR (SINGLE)
Mejiro Tanakaya, Japan

RETAILER OF THE YEAR (MULTIPLE)
Royal Mile Whiskies, Scotland

RETAILER OF THE YEAR (ONLINE)
The Whisky Exchange, England

BRAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Woodford Reserve, USA

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
Gerry Tosh, Highland Park, Scotland

YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
Pete Currie, Springbank Distillery, Scotland

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Jack and Wallace Milroy, Milroy's of Soho



FULL ICONS RESULTS INCLUDING REGIONAL AWARDS

DISTILLER OF THE YEAR
Suntory

American Distiller of the Year Heaven Hill Distilleries
Highly commended Four Roses Distillery

Rest of World Distiller of the Year Suntory
Highly commended Celtic Whisky Compagnie

Scottish Distiller of the Year Springbank Distillery
Highly commended William Grant & Sons

VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Buffalo Trace Distillery

American Visitor Centre of the Year Buffalo Trace Distillery
Highly commended The Urban Bourbon Trail

Scottish Visitor Centre of the Year Auchentoshan Distillery
Highly commended The Scotch Whisky Experience

RETAILER OF THE YEAR (SINGLE OUTLET)
Mejiro Tanakaya

American Retailer of the Year Park Avenue Liquors
Highly commended Federal Wine and Spirits

ROW Retailer of the Year Mejiro Tanakaya, Japan
Highly commended Gauntley's of Nottingham, England

Scottish Retailer of the Year Whiskies of Scotland
Highly commended Loch Fyne Whiskies

RETAILER OF THE YEAR (MULTIPLE OUTLETS)
Royal Mile Whiskies

American Retailer of the Year Binny's Chicago
Highly commended Beverages and More

ROW Retailer the Year Shinanoya, Kanto region
Highly commended Glenfarn, Germany and Switzerland

Scottish Retailer of the Year Royal Mile Whiskies
Highly commended Luvian's Bottle Shop

BRAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Woodford Reserve

American Innovator of the Year Woodford Reserve
Highly commended Buffalo Trace Distillery

ROW Innovator of the Year Millstone Distillery, Holland
Highly commended Compass Box Whisky Company

Scottish Innovator of the Year The Edrington Group
Highly commended Bruichladdich

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
Gerry Tosh, Highland Park

American Ambassador of the Year Frank Coleman, DISCUS
Highly commended Preston Van Winkle, Rip Van Winkle

ROW Ambassador of the Year Heidi Donelon, Irish Whiskey Event
Highly commended Dr Inatomi, Suntory

Scottish Ambassador of the Year Gerry Tosh, Highland Park
Highly commended Colin Scott, Chivas Brothers

YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
Pete Currie, Springbank Distillery

Scottish Young Ambassador of the Year Pete Currie, Springbank Distillery
Highly commended Susan Colville, Wemyss Malts

American Young Ambassador of the Year Heather Greene, William Grant & Sons

ROW Young Ambassador of the Year Gregg Glass, Compass Box Whisky Company

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Jack and Wallace Milroy, Milroy's of Soho