The whisky industry has commended its finest people, products and places at the Whisky Magazine Awards 2023 global ceremony in London.
The ceremony at Merchant Taylor's Hall on Thursday saw the announcement of the World's Best and country winners in the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky global winners, as well as three new inductees to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
Whisky Magazine has been presenting the results of its World Whiskies Awards, the world’s largest and most respected whisky competition, for 23 years. This year’s announcement represents the culmination of a rigorous blind-judging process that saw more than 200 expert judges from around the globe assess more than 1,400 different whiskies from more than 40 countries.
The World Whiskies Awards named its World’s Best winners across 23 categories of whisky, including single malt, bourbon, blended, rye, pot still, and design. This year’s winners include M&H Elements Sherry Cask, from Israel, which was named World’s Best Single Malt, and The Representative Bourbon, which was awarded the title of World’s Best Bourbon.
The publication’s Icons of Whisky has awarded the industry’s best people, places, innovators and agencies since 2007. The global winners were chosen by an expert panel from a shortlist of regional winners from America, Ireland, India, Scotland, and the Rest of the World.
From bartenders to brand ambassadors, chefs to visitor attraction managers, the Icons of Whisky awards honour the people who work tirelessly to produce and promote whisky, along with the very best shops, bars, visitor attractions and agencies. Among this year’s 33 winners were Heaven Hill Brands, which took home the title of Distiller of the Year, and Whyte & Mackay’s Gregg Glass, who was named Master Blender of the Year.
On the Icons of Whisky results, Christopher Coates, editor-at-large of Whisky Magazine and chair of both the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards, said: "The 17th annual Icons of Whisky awards saw the stiffest competition yet. The experiences offered by the top whisky bars, retailers and attractions today are truly world-class – and have become bywords for hospitality and tourism excellence beyond just the drinks sphere.
“Meanwhile, whisky professionals – whether they are makers, ambassadors, bartenders, marketers or retailers – are truly going above and beyond to make the category inclusive and fun, while also delivering the education required to maintain whisky’s status as the world’s most respected and valued spirit category.”
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, commented on the World Whiskies Awards: “Firstly, I must send my sincerest gratitude to everybody who made this year’s awards possible, in particular our panel of expert judges. This was an incredibly strong year across all of the categories and there were worthy winners all across the globe. It is an honour to celebrate this among so many of the industry’s finest people and long may the industry as a whole continue to thrive for many years to come.”
Alongside the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky results, the awards ceremony also saw three industry luminaries inducted to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, the highest honour bestowed by the publication: Bernard Walsh, founder of Ireland's Walsh Whiskey; Sukhinder Singh, co-founder and director of The Whisky Exchange and Speciality Drinks; and whisky author and communicator Hans Offringa.
Distiller of the year
Sponsored by Glencairn Crystal Studio
Heaven Hill Brands
Master Distiller/Master Blender of the year
Gregg Glass, Whyte & Mackay
Craft Producer of the year
Chattanooga Whiskey
Sustainable Distillery of the year
Sponsored by Sarten
Stauning Whisky
Distillery Manager of the year
Sponsored by Larkfire
Tyler Pederson, Westland Distillery
Visitor Attraction of the year
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Cooperage of the year
Casknolia
Cooper of the year
Andy Moore, Loch Lomond Cooperage
Single Estate of the year
Lochlea Distillery
Visitor Attraction Manager of the year
Lisa Jameson, Teeling Whiskey
Independent Bottler of the year
Lost Lantern Spirits
Campaign Innovator of the year
Sponsored by Berlin Packaging UK
Glenmorangie
Brand Innovator of the year
Waterford Distillery
World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year
Koray Kaan Özdemir, Paul John Whisky
Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year
Mark Thomson, William Grant & Sons
Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Chris Hayes, Teeling Whiskey
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Cam Dawson, Brown-Forman
Communicator of the year
Sponsored by Whisky Auctioneer
Emma Cookson
PR Agency of the year
SPEY
Design Agency of the year
Sponsored by McLaren Packaging
Nude Brand Creation
Chef of the year
Arun Sundararaj, The Taj Mahal
Bartender of the year
James Lin, Kavalan Whisky Bar
Bar Manager of the year
Lachlan Watt, Whisky & Alement
Hotel Bar of the year
Clive’s Classic Lounge
General Manager (Hotel) of the year
Eddie Langton, Kilkenny Whiskey Guild
Bar of the year
Sponsored by Hellmann
Bourbons Bistro
Bar Group of the year
Kilkenny Whiskey Guild
Buyer of the year
Ally Alpine, Celtic Whiskey Shop
Travel Retailer of the year
Aer Rianta International (ARI)
Online Retailer of the year
Master of Malt
Supermarket of the year
Waitrose
Single Outlet Retailer of the year
Sponsored by The Glenturret
McCallum and Sons Whisky Co.
Multiple Outlet Retailer of the year
Whisky Brother & Co.
World’s Best Single Malt
Best Israeli, No Age Statement
M&H, Elements Sherry Cask
World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt
Best Scotch Campbeltown, 13 to 20 Years
Glen Scotia, First Fill Bourbon Cask No. 372
World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt
Best Irish, 13 to 20 Years
J.J. Corry, The Flintlock No. 3
World’s Best Blended
Best American, No Age Statement
Breckenridge, High Proof Bourbon Whiskey
World’s Best Canadian Blended
13 to 20 Years
Gibson’s Finest, Venerable
World’s Best Blended Limited Release
Best Japanese, No Age Statement
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain, Blended Japanese Whisky 2023
World’s Best Blended Malt
Best Japanese, No Age Statement
Taketsuru, Pure Malt
World’s Best Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
The Representative, Bourbon
World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
Ironroot Republic, Apotheosis
World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Best Kentucky
Elijah Craig, Barrel Proof C922
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
Tumblin’ Dice, Single Barrel
World’s Best American Whiskey
Storm King Distilling Co., Side Gig Whiskey
World’s Best Tennessee
Jack Daniel’s, Bonded
World’s Best Corn
Best Australian, No Age Statement
Upshot, Red Corn Whiskey
World’s Best Wheat
Best American, 12 Years & Under
Lone Elm, 4 Years Old Single Barrel
World’s Best Rye
Best Dutch, No Age Statement
Millstone, 100 Rye
World’s Best Pot Still
Best Canadian, No Age Statement
Macaloney’s Island Distillery, Kildara Signature Selection
World’s Best Grain
Best Korean, No Age Statement
Hwayo, X. Premium
World’s Best Single Cask Single Grain
Best Scottish, 21 Years & Over
Rare Auld, Invergordon 32 Years Old
World’s Best Single Cask Single Rye
Best Danish, 12 Years & Under
Stauning, Rye Maple Syrup Single Cask No. 517
World’s Best New Make & Young Spirit
Best Japanese, New Make
Niigata Kameda, New Pot Peated
World’s Best Flavoured
Best Irish
Tullamore D.E.W., Honey
World’s Best Design & Best Bottle Design
Cù Bòcan, 15 Years Old
The ceremony at Merchant Taylor's Hall on Thursday saw the announcement of the World's Best and country winners in the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky global winners, as well as three new inductees to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
Whisky Magazine has been presenting the results of its World Whiskies Awards, the world’s largest and most respected whisky competition, for 23 years. This year’s announcement represents the culmination of a rigorous blind-judging process that saw more than 200 expert judges from around the globe assess more than 1,400 different whiskies from more than 40 countries.
The World Whiskies Awards named its World’s Best winners across 23 categories of whisky, including single malt, bourbon, blended, rye, pot still, and design. This year’s winners include M&H Elements Sherry Cask, from Israel, which was named World’s Best Single Malt, and The Representative Bourbon, which was awarded the title of World’s Best Bourbon.
The publication’s Icons of Whisky has awarded the industry’s best people, places, innovators and agencies since 2007. The global winners were chosen by an expert panel from a shortlist of regional winners from America, Ireland, India, Scotland, and the Rest of the World.
From bartenders to brand ambassadors, chefs to visitor attraction managers, the Icons of Whisky awards honour the people who work tirelessly to produce and promote whisky, along with the very best shops, bars, visitor attractions and agencies. Among this year’s 33 winners were Heaven Hill Brands, which took home the title of Distiller of the Year, and Whyte & Mackay’s Gregg Glass, who was named Master Blender of the Year.
On the Icons of Whisky results, Christopher Coates, editor-at-large of Whisky Magazine and chair of both the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards, said: "The 17th annual Icons of Whisky awards saw the stiffest competition yet. The experiences offered by the top whisky bars, retailers and attractions today are truly world-class – and have become bywords for hospitality and tourism excellence beyond just the drinks sphere.
“Meanwhile, whisky professionals – whether they are makers, ambassadors, bartenders, marketers or retailers – are truly going above and beyond to make the category inclusive and fun, while also delivering the education required to maintain whisky’s status as the world’s most respected and valued spirit category.”
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, commented on the World Whiskies Awards: “Firstly, I must send my sincerest gratitude to everybody who made this year’s awards possible, in particular our panel of expert judges. This was an incredibly strong year across all of the categories and there were worthy winners all across the globe. It is an honour to celebrate this among so many of the industry’s finest people and long may the industry as a whole continue to thrive for many years to come.”
Alongside the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky results, the awards ceremony also saw three industry luminaries inducted to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, the highest honour bestowed by the publication: Bernard Walsh, founder of Ireland's Walsh Whiskey; Sukhinder Singh, co-founder and director of The Whisky Exchange and Speciality Drinks; and whisky author and communicator Hans Offringa.
Icons of Whisky Global Winners 2023
Distiller of the year
Sponsored by Glencairn Crystal Studio
Heaven Hill Brands
Master Distiller/Master Blender of the year
Gregg Glass, Whyte & Mackay
Craft Producer of the year
Chattanooga Whiskey
Sustainable Distillery of the year
Sponsored by Sarten
Stauning Whisky
Distillery Manager of the year
Sponsored by Larkfire
Tyler Pederson, Westland Distillery
Visitor Attraction of the year
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Cooperage of the year
Casknolia
Cooper of the year
Andy Moore, Loch Lomond Cooperage
Single Estate of the year
Lochlea Distillery
Visitor Attraction Manager of the year
Lisa Jameson, Teeling Whiskey
Independent Bottler of the year
Lost Lantern Spirits
Campaign Innovator of the year
Sponsored by Berlin Packaging UK
Glenmorangie
Brand Innovator of the year
Waterford Distillery
World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year
Koray Kaan Özdemir, Paul John Whisky
Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the year
Mark Thomson, William Grant & Sons
Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Chris Hayes, Teeling Whiskey
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the year
Cam Dawson, Brown-Forman
Communicator of the year
Sponsored by Whisky Auctioneer
Emma Cookson
PR Agency of the year
SPEY
Design Agency of the year
Sponsored by McLaren Packaging
Nude Brand Creation
Chef of the year
Arun Sundararaj, The Taj Mahal
Bartender of the year
James Lin, Kavalan Whisky Bar
Bar Manager of the year
Lachlan Watt, Whisky & Alement
Hotel Bar of the year
Clive’s Classic Lounge
General Manager (Hotel) of the year
Eddie Langton, Kilkenny Whiskey Guild
Bar of the year
Sponsored by Hellmann
Bourbons Bistro
Bar Group of the year
Kilkenny Whiskey Guild
Buyer of the year
Ally Alpine, Celtic Whiskey Shop
Travel Retailer of the year
Aer Rianta International (ARI)
Online Retailer of the year
Master of Malt
Supermarket of the year
Waitrose
Single Outlet Retailer of the year
Sponsored by The Glenturret
McCallum and Sons Whisky Co.
Multiple Outlet Retailer of the year
Whisky Brother & Co.
World Whiskies Awards Global Winners 2023
World’s Best Single Malt
Best Israeli, No Age Statement
M&H, Elements Sherry Cask
World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt
Best Scotch Campbeltown, 13 to 20 Years
Glen Scotia, First Fill Bourbon Cask No. 372
World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt
Best Irish, 13 to 20 Years
J.J. Corry, The Flintlock No. 3
World’s Best Blended
Best American, No Age Statement
Breckenridge, High Proof Bourbon Whiskey
World’s Best Canadian Blended
13 to 20 Years
Gibson’s Finest, Venerable
World’s Best Blended Limited Release
Best Japanese, No Age Statement
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain, Blended Japanese Whisky 2023
World’s Best Blended Malt
Best Japanese, No Age Statement
Taketsuru, Pure Malt
World’s Best Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
The Representative, Bourbon
World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
Ironroot Republic, Apotheosis
World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Best Kentucky
Elijah Craig, Barrel Proof C922
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Non Kentucky
Tumblin’ Dice, Single Barrel
World’s Best American Whiskey
Storm King Distilling Co., Side Gig Whiskey
World’s Best Tennessee
Jack Daniel’s, Bonded
World’s Best Corn
Best Australian, No Age Statement
Upshot, Red Corn Whiskey
World’s Best Wheat
Best American, 12 Years & Under
Lone Elm, 4 Years Old Single Barrel
World’s Best Rye
Best Dutch, No Age Statement
Millstone, 100 Rye
World’s Best Pot Still
Best Canadian, No Age Statement
Macaloney’s Island Distillery, Kildara Signature Selection
World’s Best Grain
Best Korean, No Age Statement
Hwayo, X. Premium
World’s Best Single Cask Single Grain
Best Scottish, 21 Years & Over
Rare Auld, Invergordon 32 Years Old
World’s Best Single Cask Single Rye
Best Danish, 12 Years & Under
Stauning, Rye Maple Syrup Single Cask No. 517
World’s Best New Make & Young Spirit
Best Japanese, New Make
Niigata Kameda, New Pot Peated
World’s Best Flavoured
Best Irish
Tullamore D.E.W., Honey
World’s Best Design & Best Bottle Design
Cù Bòcan, 15 Years Old
