The World Whiskies Awards America 2026 have been revealed at a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky. The event showcased the variety and excellence of the United States’ whiskey industry, and the people, places, and products at its heart.
At the event, winners were announced in taste categories — including the much-anticipated reveal of the World's Best Bourbon — and the Icons of Whisky America 2026 were revealed.
The ceremony also saw the announcement of two new inductees into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honours those whose dedication throughout their careers has shaped the whiskey industry.
Joining the Hall of Fame from the US in 2026 are Donna Nally of Maker’s Mark and Campbell Brown of Brown-Forman.
Inductee 106: Donna Nally, Maker's Mark
Donna Nally didn’t just witness the rise of Kentucky’s bourbon resurgence. She helped build the front porch from which it welcomed the world.
In the early days of what would become the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Donna played a critical role in bringing warmth, hospitality, and a personal touch to the visitor experience. While her husband, master distiller Steve Nally, was crafting whiskey, Donna was crafting connection, turning distillery visits into heartfelt memories and casual tourists into lifelong fans of America’s native spirit.
Donna helped create the original visitor centre at Maker’s Mark, but she didn’t stop there. Though cooperation and a shared vision, she was instrumental in founding the Kentucky Bourbon Festival which now brings tens of thousands of enthusiasts to Bardstown, Kentucky annually. She helped spearhead the development of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which today sees more than two million visitors annually.
From designing welcoming spaces to ensuring every guest felt like they were coming home, Donna not only helped build the trail, but she infused it with the kind of genuine Kentucky charm you can’t fake. Her work has been crucial to the transformation of distillery tourism from a niche curiosity into a cultural pilgrimage, long before bourbon was a buzzword.
Donna’s legacy is etched not just in whiskey barrels, but in visitors and industry professionals who have followed the trail she has blazed.
Inductee 107: Campbell Brown, Brown-Forman
Campbell P Brown is a director of Brown-Forman Corporation. A fifth-generation Brown family shareholder and great-great grandson of founder George Garvin Brown, Campbell served as chairman of Brown-Forman’s board from 2021 to 2025.
Campbell began his career at Brown-Forman by leading business development in key emerging markets as part of the company’s globalization strategy, including in India and Turkey.
When he returned to the United States, he took up roles in brand and commercial leadership, following a path that saw him becoming more senior, and leading larger teams. He led Jack Daniel’s, one of Brown-Forman’s flagship brands, through a period of substantial growth and served as president of Old Forester, guiding the revival of the company’s founding whiskey.
Campbell is known for driving strong business results while cultivating a culture of governance, collaboration, and accountability. He is a founding member of the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, has served on the board of the DendriFund, and represented Brown-Forman on the Kentucky Distillers Association Board.
He joined the Brown-Forman Board of Directors in 2016 and remains actively involved in the company’s and family’s governance in various capacities following his retirement as chairman in 2025.
