In a virtual event, the global results of Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky have been announced

For the first time in its history, the Whisky Magazine Awards global presentation was presented in a virtual broadcast streamed on the title’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

From bartenders to brand ambassadors, retailers to visitor attraction managers, the Icons of Whisky awards honour those who have worked tirelessly to produce and promote whisky. Among this year’s winners were Bob Dalgarno, who was crowned Master Distiller/Blender of the Year, and Nc’Nean Distillery, which was named Sustainable Distillery of the Year. The coveted title of Distiller of the Year went to Brown-Forman, owner of Jack Daniel’s.

On the Icons of Whisky results, Christopher Coates, editor of Whisky Magazine, said:
“The global whisky industry has taken the challenges of the past year in stride and the strength of the entries we’ve received to our Icons awards for 2021 reflects this perfectly. It was no easy task for our panel to choose global winners from our regional shortlists, but I believe we’ve been successful in highlighting some truly iconic whisky heroes.”

“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.”

Icons of Whisky Global 2021 Winners
Headline sponsor: Glencairn Crystal

Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year
Binny’s Beverage Depot

Single Outlet Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by The Glenturret
Celtic Whiskey Shop

Supermarket of the Year
Tesco

Own Brand Supermarket of the Year
Lidl

Online Retailer of the Year
The Whisky Exchange

Travel Retailer of the Year
Aer Rianta International (ARI)
The Loop, Dublin Airport – The Irish Whiskey Collection

Buyer of the Year
Brett Pontoni,
Binny’s Beverage Depot

Bar Group of the Year
The Chawke Group

Advertising Agency of the Year
Republic of Media

Design Agency of the Year
Sponsored by Mclaren Packaging
Nude Brand Creation

PR Agency of the Year
Story PR

Communicator of the Year
Mark Gillespie,
WhiskyCast

Bar of the Year
Atrium
The Taj Landsend, Mumbai

Hotel Bar of the Year
SCOTCH
At the Balmoral Hotel

Bar Manager of the Year
Padraic Rafter,
Paris Texas Bar

Bartender of the Year
Tomo Matsushita,
Copper & Oak

Irish Whiskey Ambassador of the Year
Sabine Sheehan,
Lambay Irish Whiskey Company

Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year
Nicola Riske
The Macallan

American Whiskey Ambassador of the Year
Michael Cowman,
Hi-Spirits (Buffalo Trace)

World Whisky Ambassador of the Year
Kaitlyn Tsai,
Kavalan Distillery

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Christie’s
Kavalan Distillery

Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Hrastnik1860
Stuart Hendry,
Glengoyne Distillery

Brand Innovator of the Year
Sponsored by Westrock
Waterford Distillery

Campaign Innovator of the Year
Westland Distillery

Sustainable Distillery of the Year
Sponsored by Scotch Bonnet
Nc’Nean Distillery

Distillery Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Larkfire
Nicole Austin,
George Dickel

Craft Producer of the Year
Ironroot Republic Distilling

Master Distiller/Blender of the Year
Sponsored by Casknolia
Bob Dalgarno,
Master Distiller/Blender

Distiller of the Year
Sponsored by Glencairn Crystal
Brown-Forman