The Icons of Whisky 2026 have been announced. The global winners were announced at the Waldorf in London on 25 March 2026, in a ceremony which also revealed the winners of the World Whiskies Awards 2026 and two new entrants into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
The Icons of Whisky recognise the people and places whose work is the foundation of the whisky industry. Global winners are selected following region-specific rounds, which saw Icons named for Scotland, Ireland, the US, China, and Rest of World.
The results represent the efforts of the global whisky community, and the innovation, creativity, and collaboration found throughout it.
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, commented: “The announcement of the World’s Best winners is a special moment every year, as these winners represent the absolute pinnacle of whisky craftsmanship. The winners this year represent not just quality, but the diversity, innovation, and heritage that make up the whisky world today.
“The same can be said for our lauded Icons of Whisky, whose work in shaping the modern face of the whisky industry is truly exciting.”
To view the full list of global and regional Icons, visit worldwhiskiesawards.com.
Icons of Whisky 2026 — Global Winners
BRAND & PACKAGING DESIGN AGENCY
Nude Brand Creation
DIGITAL AGENCY
Northport
MARKETING AGENCY
Alchemysts Inc
ADVERTISING AGENCY
Northport
PR AGENCY OF THE YEAR
SPEY
PR TEAM
The Team, Heaven Hill Brands
ADVERTISING TEAM
Drink with Amber
COMMUNICATOR
Joel Harrison
AMERICAN WHISKEY BRAND AMBASSADOR
Matt Ray, Sazerac
IRISH WHISKEY BRAND AMBASSADOR
Beibhinn O’Reilly, Teeling
SCOTCH WHISKY BRAND AMBASSADOR
Gary Mills, Loch Lomond Group
WORLD WHISKY BRAND AMBASSADOR
Roland Ng, Komasa Kanosuke Distillery
MARKETING TEAM
Laws Whiskey House
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Whisky Century (Qingdao)
SALES TEAM
The Team, Laizhou Distillery
PRODUCTION TEAM
The Team, Angel’s Envy
SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
Tian Lei, Fujian Daiking Louis Distillery
VISITOR ATTRACTION MANAGER
Mami Hirakawa, Komasa Kanosuke Distillery
VISITOR ATTRACTION
Isle of Raasay Distillery
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Marcelo Viapiana, Sullivans Cove Distillery
INNOVATION MANAGER
Heather Tillott, Sullivans Cove Distillery
DISTILLERY MANAGER
Alice Pearson, Cotswolds Distillery
MASTER DISTILLER/MASTER BLENDER
Michael D’Souza, John Distilleries
CRAFT DISTILLER OR BLENDER
Dr Graeme Macaloney, Macaloney’s
COOPER
Ger Buckley, Irish Distillers
COOPERAGE
Casknolia
INDEPENDENT BOTTLER
The Heart Cut
BRAND INNOVATOR
The M&H Distillery
CAMPAIGN INNOVATOR
Lagg Distillery
SINGLE ESTATE
Hinrichsen’s Farm Distillery
SUSTAINABLE DISTILLERY
Arbikie Distillery
CRAFT PRODUCER
Copenhagen Distillery
DISTILLER OF THE YEAR
Kavalan
