Here are the winners of the Whisky Magazine Awards 2023 for Icons of Whiskey America. BourbonBlog.com joins you, the fans, and the whiskey judges in a toast honoring the best of the best in the American whiskey industry as judged by these awards as Whisky Magazine shared with us.
This year’s awards recognize the master distillers, ambassadors, and innovators who have made an impact on the whiskey industry. From Master Distiller of the Year to Icons of Whisky winners, they push the boundaries of bourbon and rye whiskey.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer, who serves as a judge for many whiskey and spirit competitions, said of the winners:
“The winners are some of my favorite Bourbon, rye, American whiskeys, destinations, and of course – people – we have enjoyed covering and following on BourbonBlog.com for over a decade and a half. I am happy to see Whisky Magazine and the panel giving credit where credit is due.”
To celebrate these winners below, a recent event in Louisville was held. During the event, Steve Nally of Bardstown Bourbon Company and Lance Winters of St George Spirits were inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame as new members.
What are your favorite whiskeys from these?
As you read the World Whiskies Awards 2023, also tell us who your favorites of the listed are – or even some that are not listed?
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Icons of Whisky America 2023: Winners and Highly Commended
Master Distiller/Blender
Winner
Caleb Kilburn, Kentucky Peerless
Craft Producer
Winner
Chattanooga Whiskey
Highly Commended
A Smith Bowman
Brand Innovator
Winner
Broken Barrel
Highly Commended
Barrell Vantage
Visitor Attraction
Winner
The Sazerac House
Highly Commended
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Highly Commended
Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill Brands
Jonathan Likarish, Ironroot Republic
Distiller
Winner
Heaven Hill Distillery
Highly Commended
Barton 1792 Distillery
Sustainable Distillery
Winner
Heaven Hill Distillery
Distillery Manager
Winner
Tyler Pederson, Westland Distillery
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador
Winner
Lynn House, Heaven Hill Brands
Highly Commended
Freddie Johnson, Buffalo Trace Distillery
World Whisky Brand Ambassador
Winner
Koray Kaan Ozdemir, Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky
Visitor Attraction Manager
Winner
Matt Higgins, Buffalo Trace Distillery
Highly Commended
Susan Nogues, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Campaign Innovator
Winner
O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company
Highly Commended
1792 Bourbon
Bar
Winner
Bourbons Bistro
Independent Bottler
Winner
Lost Lantern Spirits
Single Outlet Retailer
Winner
McCallum and Sons Whisky Co.
World Whiskies Awards 2023: World’s Best and Best American Winners
World’s Best Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon
The Representative – Small Batch Bourbon
Best Kentucky Bourbon
W.L. Weller – C.Y.P.B
World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky Finished Bourbon
Ironroot Republic – Apotheosis
Best Kentucky Finished Bourbon
Broken Barrel Whiskey – Cask Strength Bourbon
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Non-Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon
Tumblin’ Dice – Single Barrel
Best Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon
1792 – Single Barrel
World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon
Elijah Craig – Barrel Proof C922
Best Non-Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon
Filibuster Bourbon – Bottled in Bond
World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s – Bonded
Best American Whiskey
Storm King Distilling Co. – Side Gig Whiskey
Best American Blended
Breckenridge Distillery – High Proof Bourbon Whiskey
Best American Blended Limited Release
Breckenridge Distillery – Collectors Art Series
Best American Blended Malt
Breckenridge Distillery – Two Clans Blended Whiskey
Best American Corn
Ironroot Republic – Hubris
Best American Flavoured
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. – Coffee Flavored Whiskey
Best American Grain
Bainbridge – Yama Mizunara Cask
Best American New Make & Young Spirit
291 Colorado Whiskey – Rye Whiskey White Dog
Best American Pot Still
Talnua Distillery – Virgin White Oak Cask
Best American Rye
Sazerac – 18 Years Old
Best American Single Cask Single Malt
Hogback Distillery – The Wallace Collection
Best American Single Cask Single Rye
Smooth Ambler – Old Scout Rye Single Barrel
Best American Single Malt
Westland Whiskey – Solum Edition 1
Best American Small Batch Single Malt
The Notch Nantucket Island – 15 Years Old
Best American Wheat
Lone Elm – 4 Years Old Single Barrel
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