The winners of the World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America have been revealed. The awards were announced at a ceremony held at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky on February 12, 2026, in an event that brought together celebrated members of the American whiskey community.
Hosting the ceremony were Peggy Noe Stevens, honorary president of the World Whiskies Awards America, and Maggie Kimberl, chair of judges for the World Whiskies Awards America. They reflected on how World Whiskies Awards America aim to showcase the variety and excellence of the United States’ whiskey industry, and the people, places, and products at its heart.
The announcement includes winners of World's Best in categories exclusive to American whiskey, including bourbon and Tennessee whiskey.
Among those named as Icons of Whisky America 2026 were Distillery 291 as Brand Innovator of the Year, Angel’s Envy’s Owen Martin as Craft Distiller of the Year, and Deanna Horn of Bardstown Bourbon Co as Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year.
The ceremony also saw the announcement of two new inductees into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors those whose dedication throughout their careers has shaped the whiskey industry. This year, the inductees are Donna Nally of Maker’s Mark and Campbell Brown of Brown-Forman.
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, said: “The America round of the World Whiskies Awards 2026 has once again highlighted the extraordinary quality, diversity, and innovation that define the US whiskey industry today. From heritage producers to newer craft distilleries, the level of skill and passion on display continues to impress our judges year after year.”
Sponsors and partners of the World Whiskies Awards America include: Glencairn Crystal, Amorim Top Series, IPL Packaging, Proof 8, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Larkfire, the American Distilling Institute, and The Distillers One of One.
Winners of the World Whiskies Awards America 2025 will go on to compete for the World’s Best title in their category, the results of which will be announced at the World Whiskies Awards 2026 Global Dinner in March. The results from the Scotland and Rest of World award rounds have already been announced, while the Ireland results will be revealed at a ceremony later this month.
Visit World Whiskies Awards for the full list of category winners.
Icons of Whisky America 2026
Distiller of the Year
Winner
Heaven Hill Brands
Highly Commended
Lofted Spirits
Craft Producer of the Year
Winner
Chattanooga Whiskey
Highly Commended
Talnua Distillery
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Winner
The Whiskey Sanctuary at Laws Whiskey House
Highly Commended
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co
Brand Innovator of the Year
Winner
Distillery 291
Highly Commended
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Sustainable Distillery of the Year
Winner
Heaven Hill Distillery
Single Estate of the Year
Winner
Minden Mill
Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year
Winner
Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s
Highly Commended
Joseph O’Sullivan, Minden Mill
Craft Distiller or Blender of the Year
Winner
Owen Martin, Angel’s Envy
Highly Commended
Murphy Quint, Cedar Ridge Distillery
Distillery Manager of the Year
Winner
Terry Ballard, Jackson Purchase Distillery
Highly Commended
Adam Ganoe, Heaven Hill Brands
American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year
Winner
Matt Ray, Sazerac
Highly Commended
Jack Choate, Heaven Hill Brands
Scotch Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year
Winner
Koray Kaan Özdemir, Whyte & Mackay
Production Team of the Year
Winner
The Team, Angel’s Envy
Highly Commended
The Team, Heaven Hill Springs Distillery
Visitor Attraction Team of the Year
Winner
The Team, Kentucky Peerless Retail Team
Highly Commended
The Team, The Whiskey Sanctuary Laws
The Team, Lofted Spirits
Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year
Winner
Deanna Horn, Bardstown Bourbon Co
Marketing Team of the Year
Winner
The Team, Laws Whiskey House
Communicator of the Year
Winner
Amy Preske, Booze PR
Highly Commended
Daniel Whittington, Whiskey Marketing School
Independent Bottler of the Year
Winner
Lost Lantern Spirits
Highly Commended
Proof and Wood Ventures Inc
PR Team of the Year
Winner
The Team, Heaven Hill Brands PR
PR Agency of the Year
Winner
Curich Weiss Amplify
Highly Commended
Fleur De Lis Communication
World Whiskies Awards America 2026 — World's Best
World’s Best Bourbon
New Riff
Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Maker’s Mark
46
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Presidential Dram
2 Term Bourbon
World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
EH Taylor
Small Batch
World’s Best American Style Whiskey
Onyx & Amber
American Light Whiskey Double Oaked
World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s
14 Years Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1
World Whiskies Awards America 2026 — Best American
Best American Blended
Proof and Wood Curated
Seasons 2024 Extraordinary Blended Whiskey
Best American Blended Limited Release
Old Elk
Cigar Punch Cut
Best American Blended Malt
Lost Lantern
Shadow & Light
Best American Corn
Ironroot Republic
Hubris
Best American Flavoured Whiskey
Cocoa Bomb
Chocolate
Best American Grain Whiskey
Early Times
American Blended
Best American Pot Still
Talnua Distillery
Olde Saint’s Keep
Best American Rye Whiskey
Elijah Craig
Toasted Rye
Best American Single Cask Single Malt
Hinterhaus Distilling
American Single Malt – Singularity
Best American Single Cask Single Rye
Tumblin’ Dice Rye
Single Barrel 11 Years Old
Best American Single Malt
Virginia Distilling Company
Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish
Best American Small Batch Single Malt
The Notch Nantucket
15 Years Old
Best American Wheat
Star Hill Farm
Wheat Whisky
