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 this title, and 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 Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards can be found below.
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’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
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 this title, and 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 Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards can be found below.
Icons of Whisky 2022 Global Winners
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 2022 Global Winners
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
