The Whisky Advocate Awards system has evolved over the years, just as the industry itself has undergone impressive changes and progress. We started giving out awards in 1994 and continue to so today. Many of the whiskies we once loved are no longer available, and some of people we've honored have since passed on, but we continue to celebrate their legacy.
Whisky Advocate's 17th Annual Awards (2010)
Best Buy Whiskey of the Year—Tie:Evan Williams and Very Old Barton 6 Year Old Bottled in BondArtisan Whisky of the Year: Kilchoman (Summer 2010 Release)American Whiskey of the Year: Buffalo Trace Antique CollectionCanadian Whisky of the Year: Forty Creek Confederation OakIrish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 12 year oldWorld Whisky of the Year: Amrut FusionScotch Whisky Blend of the Year: Compass Box “Flaming Heart”Scotch Whisky Single Malt of the Year: Glenfarclas 40 year oldIndustry Leader of the Year: Glencairn CrystalDistillery of the Year: Heaven HillPioneer of the Year: David Perkins and High WestLifetime Achievement Awards: Evan Cattanach, Fritz Maytag, and Angelo LucchesiWhisky Advocate's 16th Annual Awards (2009)
Best Buy Whisky of the Year: The MacPhail's Collection (Tamdhu 8 year old, Glenrothes 8 year old, Highland Park 8 year old)Artisan Whiskey of the Year: Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey (Batch #49)American Whiskey of the Year: Parker's Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary”Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Cask No. 16Irish Whiskey of the Year: Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2009 release)Scotch Whisky Blend of the Year: Compass Box, “The Peat Monster”Scotch Whisky Single Malt of the Year: Ardbeg CorryvreckanIndustry Leader of the Year: Mark Brownof Buffalo Trace DistilleryDistillery of the Year: CooleyPioneer of the Year: Whisky bloggersLifetime Achievement Award: John Ramsay and Robert HicksWhisky Advocate's 15th Annual Awards (2008)
Best Buy of the Year: Ancient Ancient Age Ten Year OldAmerican Whiskey of the Year: Parker's Heritage Collection 27 Year Old BourbonCanadian Whisky of the Year: Canadian Club 150th Anniversary 30 Year OldIrish Whiskey of the Year: Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve, 2007 ReleaseScotch Blended Whisky of the Year: The Antiquary 21 year oldScotch Malt Whisky of the Year: Black Bowmore, 1964 Vintage, 42 year oldMicrodistillery Whisky of the Year: Penderyn Welsh WhiskyIndustry Leader of the Year: Dr. Bill LumsdenPioneer of the Year: The United States MicrodistillersDistillery of the Year: Four RosesLifetime Achievement Award: Willie Tait of Whyte and Mackay, Kenny Gray of Oban, and Ronnie Eddins of Buffalo TraceWhisky Advocate's 14th Annual Awards (2007)
Best Buy of the Year: Black Bottle OriginalAmerican Whiskey of the Year: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (2007 Release)Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Cask No. 16Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 12 year oldScotch Whisky Blend of the Year: Chivas 18 year oldScotch Whisky Malt of the Year: The Macallan 1976 Vintage (Cask #11354)World Whisky of the Year: Suntory Yamazaki 18 year oldIndustry Leader of the Year: MixologistsPioneer of the Year: Bruichladdich DistilleryDistillery of the Year: BenRiachLifetime Achievement Awards: Jim Rutledge of Four Roses and David Stewart of William Grant & SonsWhisky Advocate's 13th Annual Awards (2006)
Best Buy of the Year: Rittenhouse Rye 100 ProofAmerican Whiskey of the Year: Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Four Grain Bourbon (Batch #2)Import Blend of the Year: Johnnie Walker Blue Label AnniversaryImport Malt of the Year: Highland Park, 34 year old, 1971 vintage (Cask #8363)Distillery of the Year: Buffalo TracePioneer of the Year: John HallIndustry Leader of the Year: Dr. Bill LumsdenLifetime Achievement Award: Frank McHardyWhisky Advocate's 12th Annual Awards (2005)
Best Buy Whisky: The Dalmore 12 year oldImport Whisky: Highland Park 30 year oldAmerican Whiskey: Sazerac Rye 18 year oldImport Blended Whisky: Black Bottle 10 year oldDistillery: Buffalo TraceIndustry Leader: Brett PontoniPioneers: Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Four Grain Bourbon, and Dr. Jim SwanLifetime Achievement: Michael JacksonSpirit: Santa Teresa 1796 RumBeer/Brewery: Russian River Brewing CompanyWhisky Advocate's 11th Annual Awards (2004)
Best Buy Whisky: Elijah Craig 12 Year OldImport Whisky: Glenfarclas 1968 VintageAmerican Whiskey: Wild Turkey TributeImport Blended Whisky: Compass Box AsylaDistillery: ArdbegIndustry Leader: Bob DalgarnoPioneer: Julian Van WinkleLifetime Achievement: Jim Cryle, The Urquhart Family, and Joe CongiustiSpirit: Herradura Selección Suprema TequilaBeer/Brewery: Stone BrewingWhisky Advocate's 10th Annual Awards (2003)
Best Buy Whisky: Evan Williams 7 year oldImport Whisky: Bruichladdich 1970American Whiskey: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Spring 1990 VintageImport Blended Whisky: Jameson 18 year oldDistillery: BruichladdichIndustry Leader: Barry WalshPioneer: Orangerie, by Compass Box WhiskiesLifetime Achievement: Parker Beam, Lincoln HendersonSpirit: Mount Gay Rum Tricentennial SelectionBeer/Brewery: DeuS Brut des FlandresWhisky Advocate's 9th Annual Awards (2002)
Import Whisky: Talisker 25 year oldAmerican Whiskey: George T. StaggDistillery: MacallanIndustry Leader: Richard PatersonPioneer: John GlaserLifetime Achievement: Iain Henderson, Elmer T. Lee, and Booker NoeWhisky Advocate's 8th Annual Awards (2001)
Import Whisky: Midleton 26 year oldAmerican Whiskey: Sazerac Rye 18 year oldDistillery: BruichladdichIndustry Leader: Dr. Bill LumsdenPioneer: Distillers' MasterpieceLifetime Achievement: Jimmy RussellWhisky Advocate's 7th Annual Awards (2000)
Import Whisky: The Macallan 50 year oldAmerican Whiskey: Evan Williams Single Barrel 1991 VintageDistillery: Buffalo TraceWhisky Advocate's 6th Annual Awards (1999)
Import Whisky: Glenmorangie Fino Sherry Wood FinishAmerican Whiskey: Booker's Batch C91-L-20Distillery: MidletonIndustry Leader: David RobertsonWhisky Advocate's 5th Annual Awards (1998)
Import Whisky: The Macallan Gran Reserve 1979American Whiskey: A. H. Hirsch 16 year oldDistillery: ArdbegIndustry Leader: Jim MurrayWhisky Advocate's 4th Annual Awards (1997)
Import Whisky: Highland Park 25 year oldAmerican Whiskey: W. L. Weller Centennial 10 year oldDistillery: GlenmorangieIndustry Leader: James McEwanWhisky Advocate's 3rdAnnual Awards (1996)
Import Whisky: The Macallan 1874American Whiskey: Woodford ReserveIndustry Leader: Fritz MaytagWhisky Advocate's 2ndAnnual Awards (1995)
Import Whisky: Lagavulin 16 year oldAmerican Whiskey: Wild Turkey Kentucky SpiritIndustry Leader: Michael JacksonWhisky Advocate's 1st Annual Awards (1994)
Import Whisky: Springbank 21 year oldIndustry Leader: Michael Jackson
