In its third year now having become its own category, the Icons if Whisky Ireland mark that time of the year when Whisky Magazine celebrates and honours the whiskey resurgence of this nation. This has been driven by those people and places nominated in the shortlist for these awards. Those taking the coveted top spots have been chosen for showing particular dedication and drive, taking not just their companies, but the industry too to another level.

Additionally to these winners and highly commended people and places, we are honoured to confer a Hall of Fame award on Tullamore DEW’s own global ambassador John Quinn for his expertise and passion.

We are proud to honour the following as Icons of Whisky Ireland 2020:

Distiller of the Year

Winner

Irish Distillers

Highly Commended

Great Northern Distillery

Craft Producer of the Year

Winner

Dingle Distillery

Highly Commended

Clonakilty Distillery

Brand Innovator of the Year

Winner

Irish Distillers

Highly Commended

Chapel Gate Whiskey

Visitor Attraction of the Year

Winner

Bushmills

Highly Commended

Jameson Experience Bow Street

Master Distiller/Blender of the Year

Winner

Billy Leighton, Midleton Distillery

Highly Commended

Alex Chasko, Teeling

Distillery Manager of the Year

Winner

Darryl McNally, The liberties

Highly Commended

Lyndsey Harkins, Connacht Whiskey

Irish Whisky Ambassador of the Year

Winner

Avril Hogan, Dingle Distillery

Highly Commended

Ger Garland, Irish Distillers

Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year

Winner

Lisa Jameson, Teeling

Highly Commended

Claire Hickey, Powerscourt

Bar Group of the Year

Winner

Chawke Pub Group

Highly Commended

The Porterhouse Group

Bar of the Year

Winner

37 Dawson Street, Dublin

Highly Commended

9 Below, Dublin

Bar Manager of the Year

Winner

Jim Rafferty, the Dylan Whisky Bar

Highly Commended

Kevin Hurley, Balfes

Bartender of the Year

Winner

Aaron Fleming, Celtic Whiskey Bar

Highly Commended

Chris Hennessy, Dylans Whisky Bar

Hotel Bar of the Year

Winner

The Tack Room, Adare Manor

Highly Commended

Ashford Castle, Cong

Communicator the Year

Winner

Fionnan O'Connor, @AGlassApart

Highly Commended

Bill Linnane, The Irish Independent

Campaign Innovator

Winner

Clonakilty

Highly Commended

Dublin Liberties

Communications Agency of the Year

Winner

Burrell PR

Highly Commended

Edelman

Advertising Agency of the Year

Winner

TBWA, Dublin

Highly Commended

The Public House

Design Agency of the Year

Winner

MK Designs

Highly Commended

Red & Grey

Designer of the Year

Winner

Mark Keating, MK Designs

Highly Commended

Stephen Heffernan

Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year

Winner

Mitchell & Sons Wine Merchants

Highly Commended

O'Briens Wine Beer & Spirits

Online Retailer of the Year

Winner

Celtic Whiskey Shop

Highly Commended

Irishmalts.com

Single Outlet Retailer of the Year

Winner

Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dublin

Highly Commended

James Fox Cigar & Whiskey Store, Dublin

Whisky Buyer of the Year

Winner

Ally Alpine

Highly Commended

John Cooney

Supermarket of the Year

Winner

Aldi

Highly Commended

Dunnes Stores

Travel Retailer of the Year

Winner

Aer Rianta International

Highly Commended

Cork Airport


The awards are sponsored by:
Glencairn Crystal Studio
The Glenturret Distillery
Larkfire
Steklarna Hrastnik
Wade Ceramics
Westrock - MPS