Heaven Hill secures multiple wins at 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky
Heaven Hill earned six honors at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America ceremony on February 12 at The Brown Hotel in Louisville. The Bardstown, Kentucky-based distiller won Distiller of the Year for the third time, alongside recognition for sustainability, public relations excellence, and two category wins for its whiskeys.
The company captured five awards at Icons of Whisky America 2026, including Distiller of the Year and Sustainable Distillery of the Year.
Heaven Hill’s PR team of Lauren Cherry Newcomb and Kaitlynn Fish West secured PR Team of the Year honors.
Adam Ganoe earned Highly Commended recognition as Distillery Manager, while the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery Production Team also received Highly Commended status.
“We’re proud of these wins because they reflect both consistency and range,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill master distiller. “From premium, innovative rye to well-aged wheat whiskey, it speaks to the breadth of what our teams are capable of.”
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In the World Whiskies Awards 2026 America competition, Elijah Craig Toasted Rye won Best American Rye Whiskey in the No Age Statement category.
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey claimed the Category Winner title for expressions aged 13 to 20 years.
The recognition follows Elijah Craig Rye Barrel Proof being named Whisky of the Year by Whisky Advocate, demonstrating the brand’s continued strength in rye whiskey innovation.
Heaven Hill Springs Distillery’s production team recognition comes less than one year after the facility officially opened, marking an early milestone for the new operation.
“These awards belong to the people who make the whiskey every day, and they reinforce the long-term mindset we bring to the work,” O’Driscoll added. “We’re building for today, and we’re building for the next generation.”
The awards recognize one winner per category along with individuals and teams shaping the American whiskey industry’s future.
America round winners will advance to compete for World’s Best titles at the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner in March.
As the largest independent, family-owned spirits company in the United States, Heaven Hill maintains extensive aging inventory and continues investing in sustainability initiatives across its distilling operations.
