This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Feature
Cheers to The Spirits Business Awards 2024 winners
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for – here are all the winners of The Spirits Business Awards 2024.
The winners, alongside deserving runners-up and special commendations, were announced at the inaugural black-tie The Spirits Business Awards (SB Awards) ceremony.
The glitzy event took place at the Underglobe theatre in London, where TV presenter Claudia Winkleman, known for TV shows Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors, announced the winners.
Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, said: “This was our sixth edition of the awards and as someone who’s been part of the judging process since the beginning, it’s been incredible to watch our awards grow, from our annual afternoon celebrations at the Club at the Ivy to streaming the awards on YouTube during Covid, to more than 300 people gathered for our inaugural black-tie event.
“I’ve been reflecting on the ‘drink less, but better’ philosophy following the judging of this year’s awards and in the lead up to the results. The latter part of that saying, ‘but better’, is only happening because of the brilliant work of those leading the future of the spirits industry. Distillers, bottlers, blenders, retailers, bartenders – being able to enjoy quality spirits is only possible because these people put so much skill and passion into their work.
“So I congratulate all of our wonderful winners from this year’s awards, and thank each of you for being a force to be reckoned with in this fantastic spirits world.”
This year’s awards presented the winners with new trophies created and sponsored by Glencairn Crystal.
The SB Awards 2024 ceremony also welcomed several official house pours on the night: 9 Meadows, Per Se Aperitivo, Secret Garden Gin, Botran Rum, Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop, El Tequileño Tequila, Desi Daru Vodka, Moët & Chandon Champagne, Benchmark Drinks with the Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé, Australian Vintage with The Butcher’s Cellar and McGuigan Gold Label wines, AIX, Zeno, Prime Time Lager IPA, Thomas Henry and Lucky Saint.
And finally, the category sponsors for various awards, which are outlined below, include: Thomas Henry, Sir Edmond Gin, The Drinks Trust, Neit Whiskey, Master of Malt, Proofworks, Cocktail Club, Tipple, GCA Spirits, Guatemalan Spirits, Kavalan and ProWein.
Keep scrolling to discover the winners of The SB Awards 2024.
Retail & Marketing
SPIRITS RETAILER OF THE YEAR – SUPERMARKET, SPONSORED BY THOMAS HENRY
Winner: Aldi
Aldi impressed with its accessible approach and agility to adapt in a fast-moving market, developing new products at affordable price points to allow customers to experience something they may not have tried before. Combined with the supermarket’s sustainable efforts, such as a paper-based gin bottle, and impressive volume growth, Aldi is a deserving winner.
Runner-up: Waitrose
Expert knowledge gives Waitrose a keen edge on other supermarkets. Waitrose demonstrated it can adapt to new trends, deliver impressive campaigns and activations, and support newer brands – plus, the supermarket hosted its biggest Winter Food and Drink Festival last November.
SPIRITS RETAILER OF THE YEAR – SPECIALIST, SPONSORED BY THOMAS HENRY
Winner: Amathus
Amathus has amassed an impressive range of spirits and delivered impressive sales growth. The judges also appreciated Amathus’ interest in upscaling talent in the company and opportunities for staff to grow. Plus, the development of Amathus Brands marked an exciting development in the company’s growth, cementing its winning position.
SPIRITS RETAILER OF THE YEAR – E-COMMERCE, SPONSORED BY THOMAS HENRY
Winner: The Whisky Exchange
The Whisky Exchange was praised for its phenomenal range of spirits, and for using its platform to also enhance education about all types of spirits. The e-commerce Spirits Retailer of the Year was also praised for its social media growth and strong leadership team.
SPIRITS DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY SIR EDMOND GIN
Winner: Speciality Drinks
Also going above and beyond the key function of a distributor, Speciality Drinks not only demonstrated expertise but customer care. The company’s Speciality Sessions were particularly impressive in how they help to educate bar teams, making it the standout winner in its field.
Runner-up: Ten Locks
What really caught the judges’ attention about Ten Locks was its clear focus on the end consumer, putting their needs first, and working brands that bring something new. Ten Locks was also praised for its consideration around the cost-of-living crisis, and its development of Thirsty Earth, a programme linked to the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Sustainability & Innovation
SPIRITS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Winner: Two Drifters
It takes a lot to achieve B Corp certification, and this contributed towards Two Drifters success in this category. From farming, production and innovation in bottling to care for people and communities, the brand’s passion and commitment to sustainability shone through its holistic approach. Two Drifters ticked all the boxes and is, to quote the judges, “awesome”.
Runner-up: Bruichladdich
The Islay-based distillery stood out within the Scotch whisky category as an example of a distillery using its means to make a real difference. The judges said Bruichladdich had an “all-encompassing approach”, which was no easy feat for a distillery of its size. More than 50% of the distillery’s annual malting barley needs come from Islay-based farms, allowing the brand to support and promote sustainable farming practices.
Special Commendation: Bus Whisky Distillers
Bus Whisky has plans to become the world’s most sustainable whisky distillery and the judges applauded its inventive approach, such as converting brewer’s grains into making bread, granola, other food products, and partnering with a company to create a carbon-negative building material, called brewer’s mash concrete.
INNOVATION IN PACKAGING
Winner: McLaren Packaging
What stood out most about McLaren was its potential to seriously disrupt the spirits packaging industry with its sustainable, paper-based presentation tubes. The vertical perforation on the packaging tubes allows the paper body and metal base to be easily separated and recycled, while retaining a premium look and feel. McLaren Packaging’s design could be a game-changer for the spirits industry.
Runner-up: Penrhos
The judges commended Penrhos’s aluminium bottles not only for their sustainability but also for remaining aesthetically impressive. Stylish, modern, and incredibly light, the bottles also serve a purpose once empty, and could make great water bottles, the judges noted. This potential to upcycle after initial use was what clinched the Runner-up award.
INNOVATION IN PRODUCTION
Winner: Paragon Palo Santo Cordial
Paragon Palo Santo Cordial took the judges on a journey of flavour discovery, exploring lost locations from Amazonia to Nepal, Ethiopia, Java and more. Packed with scientific experimentations, Paragon impressed with its pioneering use of supercritical CO2 technology in beverages, discovery of the long-lasting effect of gluconic acid, and the creation of a revolutionary base for bartending. Impressive innovation in production indeed.
Runner-up: Nc’nean
Our judges loved Nc’nean’s creativity, its enthusiasm for bottling whiskies after a few years – but also patiently observing what extra ageing could do to the whisky. The distillery’s use of co-mixed yeast strains caught the judges’ attention, along with how its B Corp status had pushed it to be even more forward-thinking with its production – from every aspect from the initial raw materials used in production to the cleaning materials used in its equipment.
ETHICAL AWARD, SPONSORED BY THE DRINKS TRUST
Winner: Equal Measures
With a small, but mighty team, Equal Measures has generated hugely positive changes when it comes to improving intersectional equity and inclusion in the hospitality and drinks sectors. The work Equal Measures does to help teams and companies throughout the drinks industry to improve their diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and create better work spaces and hospitality spaces for all. Education is key – and Equal Measures is leading the way to a better future.
Runner-up: Elephant Gin Foundation
Since the creation of Elephant Gin, the brand has been committed to supporting elephant conservation in Africa, donating 15% of bottle profits to protecting the endangered African elephant. With the creation of the non-profit Elephant Gin Foundation in 2022, the work to protect African elephants was enhanced, crucial given forecasts that could spell extinction by 2040. We commend the Elephant Gin Foundation on its crucial conservation efforts.
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN, SPONSORED BY COCKTAIL CLUB
Winner: Hedonism: From Grain to Gold
Our judges were instantly drawn to the visuals of Compass Box’s recent campaign, Hedonism: From Grain to Gold. It was exciting, eye-catching, and perfectly pitched to draw more drinkers to the Scotch whisky category. The link between craftsmanship and art was evocative and clear, creating outstanding results. A stunning piece of marketing.
Runner-up: Spirit Cartel
A very strong contender for the Best Marketing Campaign award, Spirit Cartel demonstrated a brilliant multi-channel approach, with physical billboards, POS in the on-trade, and overall a very slick initiative. The effort clearly paid off, with the campaign’s metrics proving it resonated well with its target audience, indicating a job well done.
BEST EVENT
Winner: London Cocktail Week
After 15 years, London Cocktail Week has become a truly unmissable event for the city’s bar scene – and its move to a not-for-profit model was described as “very cool” by the judges. Allowing bars to sell wristbands and keep the profits – with the potential to generate £400,000 for the venues themselves was incredible. The show’s ability to adapt over the years to the needs of the bar industry was applauded across the judging panel, and was a testament to the show’s strengths.
Runner-up: Cayman Cocktail Week
It was great to see how Cayman Cocktail Week has grown, and how it is helping to boost tourism during a historically quieter month on the island. The judges also liked how the week kept the fun of cocktails at its core, and particularly liked the sound of events such as the cocktail and movie night, combining Trainspotting and Talisker at the cinema, and Hip Hop Gourmet, pairing aged spirits with the ages of hip hop.
BEST SPIRITS PR COMPANY
Winner: Cultural Communications
It was exciting to see how Cultural Communications was highlighting arts and culture, helping to build their luxury image, and successfully curate events around that persona. The clarity of the company’s messaging also impressed; Cultural Communications clearly has a solid understanding of the spirits market and is a specialist in its field – a very strong quality to possess.
Runner-up: May Fox Communications
What sets May Fox Communications apart is their genuine approach, real care for the brands and journalists they work with, and those qualities really shine through in everything they do. The sense of team internally came across well, and there was good evidence of multiple successfully executed campaigns.
Product & Brand
COGNAC/BRANDY BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: Rémy Martin
Rémy Martin has made some great products and hosted amazing events – and that hasn’t stopped as the brand celebrated its 300th anniversary this year. This is indisputably one of the most influential Cognac houses there is, and is set to have a future just as impressive as its historic past.
GIN BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: Hernö Gin Distillery
The Swedish distiller’s gins are amazing and the company continues to innovate. Without doubt, Hernö is one of the top gin producers. Despite being relatively small compared with some of the bigger gin players, this plays in Hernö’s favour in many ways, and the brand continues to do lots of cool things within the category. And importantly, the quality is consistently high.
Runner-up: Peddlers Shanghai Gin Company
Careful thought and consideration into its global growth is paying dividends for the Peddlers Shanghai Gin Company. The company has the potential to be a fierce contender in the Chinese spirits world with its Chinese gin – bridging a gap in the West where local products are often unfamiliar, which is an exciting possibility.
TEQUILA BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: El Tequileño
This Tequila brand has been making a lot of positive noise this past year. Its marketing efforts have created huge amounts of intrigue, and its plethora of awards prove there is good reason for the interest – namely its high-quality Tequilas. For 65 years, El Tequileño has become the Tequila of choice across Jalisco and now has a loyal following – which continues to grow, with distribution now at 27 countries and counting.
Runner-up: Patrón
An indisputable leader in the Tequila category, it’s hard to assess Tequila without considering sustainability – and Patrón’s efforts were commendable. The brand has also successfully kept its finger on the pulse of consumer demands, while simultaneously remaining true to tradition. Future growth is also looking strong, and if its recent innovations are anything to go by, there will be plenty more successful new product developments to come.
VODKA BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: Desi Daru
If you haven’t heard of Desi Daru this past year, then where have you been? The vodka brand is making some serious waves in the industry – and for good reason. The Desi Daru Alphonso Mango has been winning people over. It’s a great example of how to make an authentic, deliciously flavoured vodka. And the original vodka expression has also been gaining traction and multiple awards to boot.
Runner-up: DryLaw
DryLaw’s sustainable endeavours cemented its runner-up position. Plans for a sustainable refilling system were highlighted by the judges, which were impressed by the concept of allowing B2B customers to refill five-litre pouches, and customers to refill 700ml bottles – but this was just the tip of the iceberg for an all-round standout vodka brand.
SPECIALITY BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: Curatif
Curatif jumped out during the judging. Not only has this ready-to-drink brand managed to convince decent spirits producers to sell their booze to be packaged in its RTDs, but they have also allowed Curatif to name-check them on the packaging – no easy feat. Check out Curatif’s social media presence to see more examples of why it was crowned Speciality Brand of the Year.
RUM BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: Planteray
A very good brand, making very good products, there could only be one winner for Rum Brand of the Year. The brand has put a lot of work into its products and global growth, and continues to produce interesting spirits – such as Sealander, described as a ‘ridiculously good blend’.
WHISKY/WHISKEY BRAND OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY TIPPLE
Winner: Stauning
This is a very cool brand, and Stauning’s effort to connect beyond its distillery and bottles via VR experiences was commended. With its patented malt turner technology, award-winning whiskies – including a fantastic rye – this whisky brand is definitely going places. The judges also praised Stauning’s ability to be nimble and adapt to market challenges, such as its pivot to a temporary new bottle design last year while remaining 100% on brand.
Runner-up: Indri Single Malt Indian Whisky
Indri is a brand in the early stages of establishment, but it is already making a big impact. The producer’s flagship expression, Indri Trini, has set a new standard for Indian whiskies becoming the country’s first triple-cask single malt whisky. Indri now commands more than 30% of the Indian single malt market in India – and is looking pretty unstoppable, and the original vodka expression has also been gaining traction and multiple awards to boot.
SPIRITS BOTTLER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY GCA SPIRITS
Winner: Brave New Spirits
In just four years, Brave New Spirits has rapidly grown. This is not just a bottler, but also a brand owner, distillery builder and cask whisky supplier. The judges particularly liked how Brave New Spirits allows hospitality venues to select smaller casks of stock to develop their own bespoke whiskies.
Runner-up: Elixir Distillers
Elixir Distillers is renowned for producing great ranges of spirits, and the judges particularly liked that the company’s Fèis Ìle festival bottles give something back to the local community on Islay. In the last 12 months, Elixir Distillers has bottled an impressive 2,227 bottles.
BEST NEW PRODUCT, SPONSORED BY GUATEMALAN SPIRITS
Winner: Allora
Allora is reinvigorating the traditional limoncello category, pulling it into the wonderful Spritz occasion. Since its launch in spring this year, the brand has already secured 500 distribution points – and its marketing communications are punching above its weight, creating meaningful comms for the brand.
Runner-up: Mount Gay Single Estate Series 23_01
Mount Gay Single Estate Series 23_01 is crafted from 2016 and 2017 harvests and matured in ex-Bourbon casks, creating a fantastic rum. Not only is the liquid sublime, but the packaging was also praised for being made from 70% recycled glass.
Special Commendation: Olmeca Altos Margarita
Instantly recognisable packaging and an authentic, well-balanced, ready-to-drink Margarita – the judges loved that this product let the Tequila sing. The acidity and sourness were just right, and the bottle format created a nice sharing element.
Culture & Tourism
DISTILLERY CONSUMER EXPERIENCE AWARD
Winner: Archie Rose Bar & Cellar Door
Australian Archie Rose Bar & Cellar Door is doing things very differently – and not all alcohol-related. Take, for example, its collaborative classes with local organisations, including Sex Ed in the Distillery with LBDO for WorldPride 2023, Dynamic Ceramics, and Paint and Sip art classes. The judges loved this fresh, inclusive approach to providing experiences to visitors.
Runner-up: Borodale House
Situated on the Isle of Raasay within the Inner Hebrides in the North West of Scotland. The house experience looks unforgettable, with plush, beautiful interiors, and can be topped off with a tour of the Isle of Raasay Distillery. A truly fantastic experience.
CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY, SPONSORED BY NEIT WHISKEY
Winner: The Three Drinkers
A clear winner – The Three Drinkers stood out from a cultural contribution point of view. It has been rolled out to various territories, and brilliantly incorporates food and travel with a spirit-forward approach – and successfully brings people together. There’s a huge community representation, which was highly praised.
Runner-up: Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop
This hard seltzer-style product is more than just an alcoholic beverage in a can – it is engaging a community that’s a really fun community to be part of. It takes a refreshing look at alcohol creation. The design and the marketing all perfectly targeted a specific demographic, hugely engrained in hip hop culture.
BAR OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY MASTER OF MALT
Winner: Kiki Lounge
Kiki Lounge is bringing the fun back to bars. There is heaps of experimentation, high-tech equipment and skilled cocktail making going on behind the scenes – and the bar does all of this without being pretentious. From a relaxed pub in the day to a fun, vibrant bar at night, Kiki Lounge also supports local businesses and producers on the Isle of Man, putting this small island well and truly on the cocktail map.
Runner-up: Side Hustle
Side Hustle is always top notch – this bar does what it does exceptionally well. The mentoring opportunities and guidance offered to the bartenders at Side Hustle was also impressive, and the judges liked how much attention was given to regular bartending training – which was evident in the service and overall ambience of the bar.
People
BARTENDER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY NEIT WHISKEY
Winner: Takuma Watanabe
Takuma Watanabe blew the judges away with his accomplishments. In April 2022, Watanabe became the co-owner and beverage director at Martiny’s, which placed #29 on North America’s 50 Best Bars in 2023. This year, he took on a second project, L’Americana, which opened in February 2024. He is quickly making a global name for himself with successful guest shifts in Asia, Europe and South America.
Runner-up: Alice Linihan
Alice Linihan’s ethos towards bartending and raising her profile are inspiring; her desire to bring more people into the bartending industry was admirable and she is clearly committed to continuously improving her skills and knowledge through additional learning. Linihan is undoubtedly a future leader in the bar world.
BLENDER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Steven Rioux, Takamaka
The quality level of Takamaka’s rums has noticeably improved over the last four years, the judges noted, and under Steven Rioux’s guidance, the Seychelles-based producer is creating some fantastic rums. Blending is a crucial part of the production process, and Rioux is a master of his craft.
Runner-up: David Fisher, Archie Rose Distilling
Archie Rose is at the forefront of spirits production in Australia – and David Fisher has much to be credited for in the distillery’s success. The distillery is not just about whisky; it also produces gin, rum, vodka and more, showing the gamut of Fisher’s skills.
DISTILLER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY PROOFWORKS
Winner: Dave Withers, master distiller, Archie Rose Distilling
The sheer quality of the liquid and the volume of products hailing from Archie Rose Distilling is incredible. Dave Withers has overseen many innovations at the Australian distillery, including creating the first whisky smoked with native Australian wood. His experimentations are limitless, and this year he has been working with grain bills using never-before-distilled native Australian grains.
YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY KAVALAN
Winner: Alice Pearson
Alice Pearson is a very deserving, very impressive winner of the Young Achiever of the Year Award. Pearson is evidently indispensable to the Cotswolds Distillery; her natural ability, curiosity, and capabilities are profound – and it is no surprise those around her continue to sing her praises. She constantly takes on more responsibilities and is a key part of developing ideas. Pearson is a star in the making.
Runner-up: Gerbe Suttels
Gerbe Suttels has done some cool things by his mid-20s. Last year, he launched his own gin brand, called Erbe Gin, and has also been part of bar takeovers at fine-dining establishments and Michelin-starred restaurants. He is evidently ambitious and pursuing his potential.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, SPONSORED BY PROWEIN
Winner: Jesús Hernández, House of Tequila
The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to a person who was instrumental in changing the course of the Tequila industry: Jesús Hernández.
His experience began in the distilleries and bottling halls of Carson, California, more than 40 years ago, where he first learned to blend and bottle whiskeys, brandies, vodkas and rums for Seagram, which was later bought by Pernod Ricard. Seagram asked Hernández to lead the construction of its first Tequila distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, in 1994. His meticulous attention to detail incorporated sophisticated distillation techniques in the Tequila distillery. His ambition included re-introducing 100% agave Tequila to a global audience, which Hernández and his team did in 2004 with the launch of Olmeca Tezón.
His innovation did not stop there; Hernández has been instrumental in furthering the 100% agave Tequila movement, and worked with celebrated bartenders Dre Masso and Henry Besant to create an award-winning 100% agave brand: Altos Tequila.
The range has grown to include infused Tequilas, and even the House of Tequila’s inaugural NFT edition: Avión Lucky Liquid. As Michael Merolli, CEO of the House of Tequila, commented: “None of these achievements would have been possible without the hard work that Jesús started by building our distillery in Jalisco all those years ago. Indeed, no-one should underestimate the massive contribution that Jesús has made, not only to House of Tequila but to the category as a whole.”
Hernández is wholly deserving of this award, and we congratulate him on his tremendous achievements.
Related news
Entries open for The Spirits Business Awards 2025