2014 ICONS OF WHISKY ANNOUNCED
Whisky Magazine’s ‘Icons of Whisky’ have become one of the highlights of the whisky calendar and the 2014 competition has lived up to its reputation with the number and quality of companies entering the awards. The Icons are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the amber liquid. The 2014 Icons of Whisky were announced at a dinner held at The Waldorf Hilton, London, on 20th March 2014 and the winners are as follows:
*WINNERS – GLOBAL ICONS OF WHISKY 2013
Whisky Distiller of the Year
Whisky Ambassador of the Year
Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year
Visitor Centre Manager
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Single Retailer
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Multiple retailer
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Online
Diageo
Michael Foggarty, L. Mulligan Grocer/Swallow
Michael Heads, Ardbeg Distillery
Tish Harcus, Canadian Club Brand Centre
William Grant & Sons
Laphroaig Distillery
The Whisky Exchange
La Maison du Whisky
Master of Malt
Initially, nominations for the awards are invited from the industry themselves. Based on the evidence supplied, an independent, international, editorial panel, chaired by Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, draw up a shortlist from which the winners are picked. Voting rounds are held in the USA and Scotland in conjunction with ‘Whisky Live’ events (www.whiskylive.com). Nominations are also invited from the rest of the world. The global icons are then drawn from this final shortlist.
Rob Allanson, Chairman of the Judge’s comments: “This year, in some cases we have seen smaller companies punching well above their weight to top their bigger rivals in the polls. The results also reflect the global nature of the whisky world. To make the final shortlist, given the all-encompassing nature of these awards and the quality of the entries, is an honour. I heartily congratulate all the 2014 winners as well as the shortlisted individuals and companies.”
SHORTLISTED – ICONS OF WHISKY 2013
Whisky Distiller of the Year
Irish Distillers Ltd, Ireland, ROW
Diageo, SCOTLAND
Buffalo Trace, USA
Balcones Distillery, USA Craft Distiller
Whisky Ambassador of the Year
Michael Foggarty, L. Mulligan Grocer/Swallow, Ireland, ROW
David Mair, Balvenie Distillery, SCOTLAND
Jimmy Russell, Wild Turkey Distillery USA
David Blackmore, The Glenmorangie Co, USA Scotch Ambassador
Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year
Jean Donnay, Glann ar Mor, ROW
Michael Heads, Ardbeg SCOTLAND
Parker Beam, Heaven Hill USA
Visitor Centre Manager
Tish Harcus, Canadian Club Brand Centre, ROW
Pat Retson, Highland Park, SCOTLAND
Kim Bennett, Jim Beam American Stillhouse, USA
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
Compass Box Whisky Company ROW
William Grant & Sons SCOTLAND
Corsair Artisan Distillery, USA
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Old Jameson Distillery ROW
Laphroaig Distillery SCOTLAND
Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History, USA
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Single Retailer
The Whisky Exchange, ROW
Gordon & MacPail, SCOTLAND
Park Avenue Liquor Shop USA
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Multiple retailer
La Maison du Whisky, France, ROW
Drinksmonger, SCOTLAND
Binny’s Beverage Depot, USA
Whisky Retailer of the Year – Online
Master of Malt, England ROW
Royal Mile Whiskies SCOTLAND
