The inaugural Australian Icons of Whisky Awards have honoured the nation’s top people, producers and retailers who dedicate their lives to whisky and its creation.
Sixteen Australian winners will now compete to be named best in the world in March 2018 at the World Whiskies Awards in London.
"As whisky evolves, so too do our awards," said Icons of Whisky. "With the emergence of stunning whiskies from less well-known whisky producing nations, we are expanding our Icons of Whisky awards by adding new regional heats. This year saw the addition of India as a fourth region, and we are excited to announce the inclusion of Australia and Ireland for 2018."
The Australian Icons of Whisky Awards will become an annual event judged on the performance and achievements over the previous 12 months.
Local & international accolades for Dan Murphy's
Congratulations to Dan Murphy's on winning Supermarket of the Year in the Aussie awards, in addition to receiving a Highly Commended in the Icons of Whisky Rest of World 2017, behind the iconic La Maison Du Whisky (France).
Dan's received the International award in the Multiple Outlets Retailer of the year category.
The wins are testament to the passion the retailer has shown towards innovation, which includes opening The Dan Murphy's Cellar last year in in the basement of the historic Prahan Arcade on Chapel St Melbourne, where founder Daniel Francis Murphy opened his first liquor store in the 1950s.
The Cellar is designed as a destination experience to be like "walking through one of the world’s best wine and whisky libraries".
Meanwhile, its Double Bay flagship store - pictured above - features a collection of more than 400 whiskies with highlights including The Last Drop and Ardbeg’s Double Barrel gift box.
People awards
Distillery Manager of the Year: Cameron Syme – Great Southern Distillery (pictured above); Highly Commended: Patrick Maguire – Sullivans Cove
Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year: Sharon Dean – Hellyers Road (below); Highly Commended: John Rochfort – The McLaren Vale Distillery
Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year: Daniel Hutchins-Read – Glenrothes/Berry Bros; Highly Commended: Dan Woolley – The Exchange/CCA
World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year: Joey Tai – Baranows Emporium; Highly Commended: Paul Slater – New World Whisky Distillery
Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year: Kate Moran – Pernod Ricard; Highly Commended: Vincent McGrath – Rogue Wines
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year: Grant Shearon – Brown-Forman; Highly Commended: Michael Thomas – The Exchange/CCA
Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year: Ben Kagi – Great Southern Distilling Company (pictured main); Highly Commended: Sam Slaney – New World Whisky Distillery
Company awards
Brand Innovator of the Year: The McLaren Vale Distillery; Highly Commended: New World Whisky
Craft Producer of the Year: Sullivans Cove Distillery; Highly Commended: Whipper Snapper Distillery
Distiller of the Year: New World Whisky; Highly Commended: Great Southern Distilling
Visitor Attraction of the Year: Hellyears Road Distillery; Highly Commended: Belgrove Distillery
Retail awards
Supermarket of the Year: Dan Murphys; Highly Commended: Vintage Cellars
Single Outlet Retailer of the Year: Casa De Vinos; Highly Commended: The Oak Barrel
Online Retailer of the Year: Nicks Wine Merchants; Highly Commended: Casa De Vinos
Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year: Hurley Cellars; Highly Commended: Black Sheep Stores
Industry icon celebrated
In addition, a Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame award was presented to Gordon Broderick.
Gordon, who recently retired, was Executive Director of the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia.
With more than 40 years of dedicated service to the industry Gordon’s achievements are many and his exploits legendary.
He was instrumental in driving tax concessions for the liquor industry in the 1970s, when when argued that the Federal Government had shot itself in the foot by creating a marketing environment where taxed liquor was in decline while untaxed liquor was enjoying a boom. Thanks to Gordon and his colleagues, the industry’s cries for justice were finally heard.
Pictured: Distillery Manager of the Year Cameron Syme (Great Southern Distillery) with We're so proud of our win in London at the World Whiskies Awards 2016. Tiger Snake Australian Whiskey took Best Australian Blended Whiskey
Share the content
