It was the coldest March in London in 40 years. Temperatures hovered around 1°C, and there was rain and snow. It seemed Scotland had gifted its weather to the city, though Londoners would have preferred a far warmer gift from the Highlands!
But on March 21, temperatures and spirits soared at the Waldorf Hilton. It was the day the Whisky World had waited for with bated breath and sweaty palms, as it was on the day that the fate of whiskies, whisky makers and whisky places across the world was decided. A day to meet friends, who had come from every corner of the world to enjoy a wee dram.
London was hosting the world's biggest whisky show and with so much whisky around, even the angels seemed perched on the rooftop, hoping for their share.
It could safely be called the Oscars of Whisky — Whisky Magazine’s ‘Icons of Whisky’ and World Whisky Awards. Being held since 2000, these awards are now the highlights of the global whisky calendar and the 2013 competition lived up to its reputation with the number and quality of companies entering the awards.
Said Damian Riley-Smith, Publisher of Whisky Magazine, “The Icons of Whisky are designed to celebrate people and places behind the amber liquid. The 2013 Icons of Whisky were announced at a dinner held at The Waldorf Hilton, London, on March 21, and we had winners from over 10 countries, besides over 150 heads of whisky corporations and brands from all over the world.” It was definitely a defining moment for whisky.
Initially, as part of the process, nominations for the awards were invited from the industry. Based on the evidence supplied, an independent, international, editorial panel, chaired by Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, drew up a shortlist from which the winners were picked. Voting rounds were held in the US and Scotland in conjunction with ‘Whisky Live’ events (www.whiskylive.com). Nominations were also invited from the rest of the world. The global icons were then drawn from this final shortlist.
Said Rob Allanson, Chairman of the Judges: “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 2013 winners as well as the shortlisted individuals and companies.”
This year, Pernod Ricard won the Whisky Distiller of the Year award. Iain McCallum of Morrison Bowmore was Whisky Ambassador of the Year.
Master of Malt was adjudged Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year, while the Scotch Whisky Experience was the Visitor Attraction of the Year.
In the World Whiskies Award category, Ardbeg Galileo was found the world's Best Single Malt Whisky.
More than 300 whiskies battled it out during three intensive blind tasting rounds, for the coveted title of ‘2013 World's Best Whiskies’.
Mars Maltage bagged the World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky tag. Hibiki was adjudged the World’s Best Blended Whisky.
sandeep@spiritualwhisky.com