The 8th Edition of Icons of Whisky Awards (IOW), hosted on 15th October at St Regis, Mumbai, saw the attendance of around 200 guests, including whisky enthusiasts and hospitality industry professionals. This edition of the IOW Awards was presented in association with Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whisky and St Regis, Mumbai. IOW was brought to the country by Spiritual Luxury Living, run by Sandeep Arora.
IOW is owned by Whisky Magazine, a global magazine on whisky. These awards were introduced to India in 2008 and were exclusively represented, in South Asia, by Spiritual Luxury Living. Over the years, the IOW have been re-positioned in India, to build a higher aspiration level amongst whisky aficionados.
Here is a quick look at the winners of the IOW 2016:
IOW 2016 = Category I – Bar Awards – Winners
1. Whisky Bar of the Year – Winner – ITC Marurya, New Delhi
2. Whisky Bar of the Year – Highly Commended – JW Marriott, Pune
Sandeep Arora (India’s Pioneering Whisky Ambassador), Bibhor Srivastava (Group Publishing Director, ITP Publishing India), Anuraag Bhatnagar ( Area General Manager, India, General Manager The St.Regis Mumbai), Rupert Wheeler (Managing Editor, Whisky Magazine), Kumar Iyer ( British Deputy High Commissioner, Mumbai).
Gold Bars
1. Harbour Bar, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
2. Bombay High, ITC Maratha, Mumbai
3. The Bar, Grand Hyatt, Mumbai
4. The Club, Four Seasons, Mumbai
5. The Chambers, Taj Landsend, Mumbai
6. The Library, The Leela Palace, New Delhi
7. The Library, The Leela Palace, Bengaluru
8. The Library Blu, The Leela Palace, Chennai
9. Ritz Carlton, Bengaluru
10. The Oval Bar, JW Marriott, New Delhi
11. Junction Bar – The Taj Bengal, Kolkata
12. Polo Lounge, Hyatt Regency, New Delhi
13. Golf Bar, ITC Maurya, New Delhi
14. Rick`s, The Taj Mahal, New Del
IIOW 2016 = Category II Icons of Whisky Awards
1. Whisky Distiller of the Year – Pernod Ricard India
2. Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year – United Spirits
3. Whisky Master Distiller of the Year – Michael D`Souza, John Distillers
4. Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year – James Pennefather, William Grant & Sons
5. World Whisky Ambassador of the Year – Paul John, John Distillers
6. Whisky Craft Producer of the Year – Mohan Meakins
7. Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year – Amrut Distillery, Bengauru
8. Whisky Travel Retailer of the Year – Delhi Duty Free, New Delhi
9. Whisky General Manager of the Year – K Mohanchandran, The Taj Hotels, Hyderabad
10. Whisky General Manager of the Year – Thomas Abraham, Park Hyatt, Hyderabad
11. Whisky Chef of the Year – Anupam Banerjee, Ritz Carlton, Bengaluru
12. Whisky Importer of the Year – Brindco Sales, New Delhi
13. Whisky Retailer of the Year – Multiple Retailer – Madhuloka, Bengaluru
14. Whisky Retailer of the Year – Multiple Retailer – Madhuloka, Bengaluru
