The home of whiskey distilling, the country that has produced whiskey for longer than anywhere else and the birthplace of world-famous brands such as Bushmills, Jameson, Kilbeggan and Teeling, Irish whiskey has a reputation for a
depth and diversity that is unrivalled.
Now
Boann Distillery, based in the Boyne Valley in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, is the toast of the whiskey industry after lifting the world’s best new whiskey title at Whisky Magazine’s 2021 global awards.
The family-run distillery’s ‘New Born’ single pot still whiskey was chosen as the world’s Best New Make and Young Spirit 2021 in the World Whiskies Awards.
Celebration glasses were also raised for Redbreast 21 Year Old, distilled in County Cork by
Irish Distillers, which was crowned the World’s Best Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the same category.
Commending the best and brightest in the world of whiskey, the prestigious international awards include annual presentations in three categories, the World Whiskies Awards, Icons of Whisky and the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
With the Irish taking away a total of five accolades, there were two more wins in the Icons of Whiskey category. Sabine Sheehan of the Dublin-based Lambay Irish Whiskey Company won the Icons of Whisky Award Global as Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador 2021, while Padraic Rafter, the general manager of the Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant in Kilkenny city was awarded the title of World Whiskey Bar Manager of the Year.
The craft and brilliance of Ireland’s whiskey industry was further recognised with the induction of Brendan Buckley into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame – the highest honour bestowed by the awards and reserved for those who have dedicated their lives to the spirit.
Brendan is international marketing director at Irish Distillers, the largest distiller of Irish whiskey. He was presented with the distinguished honour in recognition of his personal contribution to the growth of Irish whiskey on the global stage.
The celebration toasts for Irish whiskey in the global awards come just weeks after Whisky Magazine revealed the winners of the Irish Icons of Whisky, showcasing the top people, places and products in Irish whiskey in the national awards.
The overall Distiller of the Year award went to Waterford Distillery, with Echlinville in County Down coming in as highly commended in the category. Craft Producer of the Year went to Dingle Distillery in County Kerry, and Glendalough in County Wicklow was named as Sustainable Distillery of the Year.
With so many unique characters, but one shared spirit, there is always a new Irish whiskey brand or expression to discover, including a range of
delicious cocktails that demonstrate the complex flavours and overall versatility of ‘the water of life’.
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