DUBLIN and Kerry were winners, of course, but Down did extremely well too, and Antrim and Cork also got in on the act.
Not the GAA, but the BWW (Belfast Whiskey Week), or their second annual Irish Whiskey Industry Awards, to be precise.
- Belfast Whiskey Week 2023: 100 events over nine-days
- More than 30 brands and distilleries part of fifth Belfast Whiskey Week
- Killowen Kult keeps on growing at Belfast Whiskey Week
Voted for by the public, three of the major awards for products went to Ulster people – Brendan Carty of Killowen in the Mournes was named Distiller of the Year, Alex Thomas of Bushmills collected the Blender of the Year accolade, and Two Stacks near Newry was named Bonder/Independent Bottler of the Year.
The cask strength enthusiasm of Carty, Thomas, and the men behind Two Stacks is evident in all they do and make.
Similarly, if the spirit of another Down man, Ronan Collins (Whiskey4Breakfast), could be bottled it would fetch high prices and sell by the case-load – he deservedly won Independent Brand Ambassador of the year. The Echlinville Distillery on the Ards peninsula was recognised for its Outstanding Support to Belfast Whiskey Week.
Emily Doherty of The Merchant Hotel in Belfast was voted Cocktail/Mixologist of the Year, while the legendary Willie Jack, owner of `The Friend at Hand’ shop and ‘Duke of York’ bar – among others – justifiably was honoured for his Outstanding Service to Irish Whiskey.
Dublin’s Celtic Whiskey Shop collected a prestigious ‘hat trick’, voted Distributor of the Year, Retailer of the Year, and Wholesaler of the Year. They’re also the people behind the Whiskey Live expo event held annually in Dublin, which was voted Irish Whiskey Experience of the Year.
Another Dublin outlet, the home of poitin, Bar 1661, earned acclaim for both Bartender of the Year, Will Lynch, and Bar manager of the Year, Dave Mulligan.
However, Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year went to the Shelbourne Bar in Cork, while the Rebel County also received acknowledgement for having Apprentice Distiller/Blender of the Year, namely Deirdre O’Carroll of Midleton.
There was another treble for the Dingle Distillery in Kerry, whose Paddy Foley was named Warehouse Manager/ Personnel of the year, while Aidan Conroy won Sales rep of the Year, and Dave Cummings picked up Brand Ambassador of the Year.
Belfast Whiskey Week featured 100 events, spanning nine days in partnership with 20 venues city wide and delivering sessions with 40 brands and distilleries. Designed to cater for a wide range of festival goers, this year’s programme sampled hundreds of whiskeys, exploring all styles and variations, from production to perfection.
Festival goers enjoyed an eclectic mix of live music, comedy, food collaborations, walking tours, theatrics, cocktails, distillery days, exclusive dining and drink collaborations with well-known Belfast bars & restaurants.
Congratulating the awards winners Belfast Whiskey Week, festival Founder Paul Kane said: “ Many congratulations to everyone shortlisted and especially all our award winners – all nominated by the industry and voted on by the public.
“We feel it is important to recognise this thriving industry by celebrating those that are contributing to its success. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported and contributed to the 5th Belfast Whiskey Week. We had hundreds of festival goers, including many travellers from around the world, attending events across the city.
“It was a ‘must-attend’ festival for those with an interest and taste for all things whiskey. It also helped open conversations with audiences new to whiskey or who have considered it not for them.
“We are already anticipating a much busier Whiskey Week in 2024 and look forward to working in collaboration with our festival sponsors and partners to make next year’s festival a memorable occasion.”
In all, 21 awards were handed out at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast, concluding another highly successful Belfast Whiskey Week – with next year’s dates announced for July 19 to 27, 2024.
The second Annual Irish Whiskey Industry Awards were supported by Willis Insurance, Urban Bar, Irish Whiskey Magazine, Serac Ice, and Whiskey Loves Me.
The categories and winners were:
Distributor of the Year: Celtic Whiskey Shop (Dublin)
Retailer of the Year: Celtic Whiskey Shop (Dublin)
Wholesaler of the Year: Celtic Whiskey Shop (Dublin)
Brand Ambassador of the Year: Dave Cummings (Dingle)
Independent Brand Ambassador of the year: Ronan Collins (Whiskey4breakfast)
Sales rep of the year: Aidan Conroy (Dingle)
Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year: Shelbourne Bar (Cork)
Irish Whiskey Experience of the Year: Whiskey Live (Dublin)
Bartender of the year Will Lynch (1661 - Dublin)
Bar manager of the Year Dave Mulligan (1661 Dublin)
Cocktail/Mixologist of the Year Emily Doherty (The Merchant)
Distiller of the Year Brendan Carty (Killowen)
Blender of the Year Alex Thomas (Bushmills)
Apprentice Distiller/Blender of the Year Deirdre O’Carroll (Midleton)
Warehouse Manager/ Personnel of the year Paddy Foley (Dingle)
Bonder/Independent Bottler of the Year : Two Stacks
PR company of the Year: Visit Belfast
Designer of most eye-catching Whiskey Advert: Mike Crone Art &Design
Designer of most eye-catching label: Jonny Lloyd Gymnasium Two Stack Double Irish Cream
Outstanding service to Irish Whiskey: Willie Jack
Outstanding support to Belfast Whiskey Week: Echlinville Distillery