Entries now closed for Irish Whiskey 2019 Awards

Entries are now closed for this year’s Irish Whiskey Awards which take place at the Dingle Distillery, County Kerry, on Thursday 17th October from 5.30 to 10.00pm (coach departs from Killarney Train Station at 4.30pm).

 

 

The awards, now in their seventh year, span 21 categories since the bar with the most votes becomes Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year and the whiskey with the highest overall score becomes Irish Whiskey of the Year.

 

The categories are as follows;

1. Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey
2. Irish Single Malt Whiskey (12 Years & Younger)
3. Irish Single Malt Whiskey (13 Years & Older)
4. Irish Blended Whiskey (RRP of less than €60)
5. Irish Blended Whiskey (RRP of €60 or more)
6. Irish Single Cask Whiskey
7. Irish Cask Strength Whiskey
8. Irish Single Grain Whiskey
9. New Irish Whiskey Award (only distilleries open 3-8 years can enter and it must be distilled on site)
10. Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year (Leinster)
11. Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year (Munster)
12. Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year (Connacht)
13. Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year (Ulster)
14. Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year (International)
15. Irish Poitín
16. Irish Liqueur
17. Irish Gin
18. Irish Vodka
19. Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Beer.

 

Judging of the awards have been taking place/took place in July and August by members of the Celtic Whiskey Club, the Irish Whiskey Society – Dublin and Dingle, the Cork Whiskey Society, the Waterford Whiskey Society, the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild and the Belfast Whiskey Club.

Members of the trade were responsible for judging the white spirit categories as well as the whiskey barrel-aged beers and liqueurs which took place at separate tasting sessions earlier this month/in August.

The event has been created by Celtic Whiskey Shop which is also behind Whiskey Live Dublin and Gin Experience Dublin.

“The Irish Whiskey Awards recognises both the emerging and established producers in the industry” said Celtic Whiskey Shop owner Ally Alpine, “and we’re delighted that it has become such an important date in the Irish events calendar.”

A tour of the Dingle Distillery will commence at 5.45pm followed by a drinks reception and the awards ceremony at 7pm. Tickets, including transport from Killarney to the awards, will be available on September 16th from the Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dawson Street, Dublin 2. All proceeds will go to the charity partner for the event, Mary’s Meals, to help feed children in impoverished areas of the world.

The event’s media partner is Drinks Industry Ireland and other key sponsors include the Irish Whiskey Association and Tuath Irish Whiskey Glass.

Last year’s awards saw Dick Mack’s in Dingle win the Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year Award while Redbreast 12 Year-Old Cask Strength won the Irish Whiskey of the Year award.