On Thursday, February 13th, I was invited to the prestigious World Whiskies Awards 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The event took place at the historical Brown Hotel, hosting many faces of the whisky world aiming to showcase the variety and excellence of the US whiskey industry. I was in this room back in 2023, winning World Whisky Ambassador of the Year, which led to me winning the same award at the global level in March 2023. This year, I was nominated in the ‘Communicator of the Year’ category and I am happy to announce that, I was named as the Communicator of the Year 2025

My nomination was not solely based on the content I have been creating over the last 12 months but it was more constructed on how I communicated about whisky in every single work I have done every day. How I reached out to the whisky consumers and enthusiasts in the real world at the events, tastings and masterclasses. In one of the hardest years of the industry in the last decade, I preached the word of whisky in countries like Iceland, Türkiye, Singapore, Spain, France and Mexico, with masterclasses, small workshops and collaborations with many accounts around the world.

I am also proud that I came up with creative ideas to revive the diminished interest in Scotch whisky. Through innovative partnerships, exclusive tastings, and fresh storytelling approaches, I aimed to bring whisky to new audiences and rekindle the enthusiasm of long-time lovers of the spirit. From launching high-end vault cocktails in California to collaborating with artists and roasters to showcase whisky in unexpected ways, I’ve sought to elevate the experience of whisky appreciation.

Winning this award is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the resilience and passion of the whisky community. It represents the power of engagement, education, and shared experiences. Whisky is not just about what’s in the glass—it’s about the connections we create, the knowledge we share, and the stories we tell.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey—industry peers, my day job colleagues at Whyte & Mackay, whisky lovers, event attendees, and everyone who have encouraged me along the way. Your belief in my work fuels my passion and inspires me to continue advocating for whisky in new and exciting ways.

This recognition reinforces my commitment to keeping the whisky conversation alive, pushing boundaries, and ensuring that whisky remains not just a drink, but a culture, a craft, and a community. Here’s to another year of sharing drams, stories, and unforgettable moments. Sláinte!

World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky Winners

I was also very lucky that my category was the first one to be announced, so I could enjoy the rest of the night with a stable heartbeat. Here are the rest of the winners for World Whiskies Awards 2025 and Icons of Whisky America 2025.

But before that, probably the most important honors go to Marlene Holmes, master distiller at Milam & Greene Whiskey as she was the latest inductee to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.

World Whiskies Awards America 2025­ — World’s Best

World’s Best American Style Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash

World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s 12 Years Old Batch #2

World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Wenzel Whiskey Sherry

World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon

World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel

World’s Best Bourbon
Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS

World Whiskies Awards America 2025 — Best American

Best American New Make & Young Spirit 
Chattanooga Whiskey Silver

Best American Flavoured
Cocoa Bomb Chocolate

Best American Corn
Ironroot Republic Hubris Corn

Best American Grain
Bainbridge Yama Mizunara Cask Single Grain

Best American Pot Still
Talnua Virgin White Oak Cask

Best American Wheat
Bainbridge Two Islands Hokkaido Cask Barrel Proof

Best American Rye 
Heaven Hill, Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye

Best American Blended
15 Stars – Three Kings

Best American Single Cask Single Rye
Middle West Spirits Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey

Best American Small Batch Single Malt
Stryker Ex Haak Madeira Cask Finished Single Malt

Best American Single Cask Single Malt
Boulder Spirits Distinguished Cask 1760

Best American Single Malt
Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt

Icons of Whisky America 2025­ Winners