Icon(ic) Congratulations!!!

One of the best things about Whisk(e)y is the people - the people who make, educate, serve, distribute, sell and drink it.

Last night the Rydges Hotel Sydney was the setting for the Whisky Magazine 'Icons of Whisky Australia 2020' regional awards, hosted by the inimitable James Buntin (he of The Whisky Ambassador fame and all round amazing Scotsman). Some very familiar and well deserved names made the list of winners and runners up and we couldn't be more happy for everyone!

Distillery Manager of the Year

Winner: Ian Schmidt – Tin Shed Distillery

Highly Commended: Heather Tillott – Sullivans Cove

Master Distiller of the Year

Winner: Jimmy McKeown – Whipper Snapper Distillery

Highly Commended: Mark Littler – Hellyer’s Road Distillery

Distiller of the Year

Winner: Sullivans Cove

Highly Commended: New World Distillery

Visitor Attraction of the Year

Winner: New World Distillery

Highly Commended: Archie Rose Distilling

Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year

Winner: Harriet Leigh – Archie Rose Distilling

Highly Commended: Peter Bignell – Belgrove Distillery

Craft Producer of the Year

Winner: Belgrove Distillery

Highly Commended: Tin Shed Distillery

Brand Innovator of the Year

Winner: Rochfort Distillery

Highly Commended: New World Distillery

Whisky Media Communicator of the Year

Winner: Whisky and Wisdom

Highly Commended: Whisky Waffle

Single Outlet Retailer of the Year

Winner: Casa de Vinos

Highly Commended: The Oak Barrel

Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year

Winner: Camperdown Cellars

Highly Commended: Malt Traders

Online Retailer of the Year

Winner: Dan Murphys Online

Highly Commended: The Old Barrel House

Supermarket of the Year

Winner: Dan Murphys

Highly Commended: Vintage Cellars

Travel Retailer of the Year

Winner: Lagardère

Highly Commended: Heinemann Australia

Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year

Winner: Matt Bailey – The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (Australia)

Highly Commended: James Macrae – Ailsa Bay

Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year

Winner: Dan Woolley – Connnemara

Highly Commended: Josh O’Brien – Writers Tears

World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year

Winner: Mark Hickey – Nant Whisky

Highly Commended: Kevin Griffin – Nikka Whisky

Bar of the Year

Winner: Whisky and Alement

Highly Commended: Nola Smoke House and Bar

Hotel Bar of the Year

Winner: Evolve Spirits Bar, MACq01 Hotel Hobart

Highly Commended: Eau De Vie, The Kirkton Hotel Sydney

Bar Group of the Year

Winner: Speakeasy Group

Highly Commended: Swillhouse Group

Bartender of the Year

Winner: Alexandra Dahlenburg – Mjølner

Highly Commended: Simon Hopkins – NOLA

Hall of Fame Inductee

Ian Atherton - Spirits Platform

Once again a massive congratulations to all involved :)

Cheers,

The TWL team