The Whisky Magazine – World Whisky Awards 2018

On March 22^nd at the Whisky Magazine Awards dinner in London, the final results of the World Whisky Awards 2018 were released. This event has been held every year since 1999 and recognises the best of the best in each category sharing bronze, silver and gold awards to the worlds top whiskies, producers, service providers and individuals.

The event is held at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel and each winner is announced between courses at this spectacular dinner. It’s a chance not to only celebrate the whiskies themselves but the people, the passion, the determination and craftsmanship behind the scenes in such a diverse industry. The people awards see Distillery of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Distillery Manager of the Year, Global Brand Ambassador of the Year and many announced.

Rob Allanson, editor of the Whisky Magazine and chairman of the World Whiskies Awards, said. ‘Over 1000 brands were entered this year, all blind tasted by more the 40 expert judges across the world. This year will be interesting’.

The awards were presented by world-renowned whisky legend Charles McLean and here are the list of winners from the evening.

Photo: Whisky Magazine

• World’s Best Single Malt – Hakushu 25 Year-Old
• World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt – Sullivan’s Cove American Oak Single Cask
• World’s Best Blended – Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve
• World’s Best Blended Limited Release – Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Limited Edition
• World’s Best Blended Malt – Taketsuru 17 Year-Old
• World’s Best Rye – 291 Colorado Rye Aspen Stave Finish
• World’s Best Corn – Balcones True Blue 100
• World’s Best Canadian Blended – J.P. Wisers Dissertation
• World’s Best Grain – Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky
• World’s Best Bourbon – 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Best Label Design – Douglas Laing The Gauldrons
• Best Limited Edition Design – Bunnahabhain 1980 Canasta Cask Finish
• Best Relaunch Design – Highland Park 12 Years Old Viking Honour
• World’s Best Design – Glenfiddich Winter Storm
• Distillery of the Year – Ian McLoed Distillers (Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank)
• Brand Innovator of the Year – Glenfiddich
• Craft Producer of the Year – The Cotswolds Distillery
• Master Distiller of the Year – Andy Watts (Distell) – With a special runner up mention to Ben Kagi representing Australia for Limeburners.
• Distillery Manager of the Year – Victoria Macrae-Samuels (Makers mark Distillery)
• World Brand Ambassador of the Year – Dave Worthington (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
• Irish Whiskey Ambassador of the Year – Gerard Garland (Irish Distillers)
• American Whiskey Ambassador of the Year – Adam Harris (Beam Suntory)
• Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year – Sharon Deane (Hellyers Road)
• Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year – Martin Markvardsen (Highland Park) – With a special runner up mention to Daniel Hutchins-Read representing Australia for Glenrothes and Berry Bros. & Rudd.

Every year we also see a member of the industry be inducted into the hall of fame and this year congratulations go to Dr Nicolas Morgan who is head of Whisky Outreach at Diageo.