Two new whisky industry legends have been inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. Serge Valentin, founder of blog Whisky Fun, and Tadashi Sakuma, former chief blender for Nikka Whisky, were welcomed into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony celebrating the World Whiskies Awards.
At the ceremony, which was held at the Waldorf in London on 25 March 2026, members of whisky's global community came together to celebrate the industry's achievements. The event saw the announcement of the World's Best whiskies in the World Whiskies Awards, as well as the global winners in the Icons of Whisky.
At the close of the evening, Paragraph Publishing managing director Damian Riley-Smith inducted Valentin and Sakuma into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame inducts those individuals whose decades-long careers have made a significant impact on the whisky industry.
Valentin and Sakuma join a long list of whisky industry veterans honoured by the Hall of Fame. Other recently announced inductees include Jerome Cottin-Bizonne, CEO of Pernod Ricard China, and Irish Distillers' technical director David Quinn.
Inductee No 110: Serge Valentin, Whisky Fun
Serge Valentin, hailing from Alsace, is an essential figure in the world of whisky. A passionate and self-taught enthusiast, he launched the blog Whisky Fun in 2002, which quickly became a global reference for both whisky amateurs and professionals. Serge defines himself first and foremost as an enlightened amateur, rejecting any professionalisation or monetisation of his activity. His approach remains true to the original spirit: sharing his passion without compromise, free from advertising or brand partnerships.
Whisky Fun is one of the most-consulted websites for whisky tasting notes, with more than 28,000 tastings documented. Serge regularly publishes short, accessible notes, often accompanied by his quirky tone and sense of humour. His influence is such that his opinions can make or break the reputation of a bottle, and his ratings are followed by collectors and professionals worldwide.
Serge embodies a simple philosophy: whisky should remain a pleasure, free from snobbery. He has always refused to turn Whisky Fun into a commercial venture, preferring to preserve its independence and authenticity. His intentionally minimalist and unadorned website reflects this commitment to staying true to the essentials: tasting and sharing.
With more than 20 years of existence, Whisky Fun has become more than just a blog — it is an institution.
Inductee No 111: Tadashi Sakuma, Nikka Whisky
After studying agricultural chemistry at Hokkaido University, Tadashi Sakuma entered Nikka Whisky in 1982. He stepped into the world of whisky at Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido, the birthplace of Nikka.
In 1987, he joined the department at the headquarters in Tokyo that controlled production at all of Nikka’s distilleries and plants. During his nine years at the headquarters, the company experienced significant changes in the market and made momentous decisions.
In 1995, the company promoted him to general manager of the European office in London. Tadashi travelled across Europe, engaged in deals with Nikka’s suppliers, oversaw the operations of the Ben Nevis Distillery, and expanded the network in the industry, spending five years in this role. By the time he returned to Japan in 2001 and was assigned to the procurement department at the headquarters, Tadashi had already gained a comprehensive understanding of Nikka’s supply chain — from knowledge of raw material suppliers to the production of spirits at the distilleries.
In April 2012, he was appointed to be chief blender as the successor of Nikka’s blending technique inherited from the founder Masataka Taketsuru. While he was in the position until March 2022, he led the development of unique expressions using tangible and intangible assets which sustained the brand despite critical restrictions such a severe shortage of matured whisky.
His honest and unpretentious character with relaxed energy attracts whisky lovers and peers in the industry.
