IWSC hails ‘outstanding’ whisky figureheads

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has announced seven shortlisted candidates for this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award in the Scotch Whisky Industry.

The 2014 candidates are: Rachel Barrie, master blender at Morrison Bowmore; Ken Robertson, corporate relations director at Diageo Whisky; Douglas Cruickshank, former production director of Chivas Brothers; Dr Charles Soong, managing director of Edrington China; Dr Nicholas Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo; Gavin Hewitt OBE, former CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association; and Dr Tim Dolan, chairman of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

Sponsored by Chivas Brothers, the award was set up to “honour individuals who have made important international contributions to the Scotch whisky industry.”

With former winners including Charles Maclean, Glen Barclay and Dr Bill Lumsden, this year’s shortlisted candidates were chosen because they “demonstrate evidence of influencing and protecting the development of the industry and effectively promoting its image.”

The winner will be announced at the IWSC Annual Awards Banquet, which takes place at London’s Guildhall on 12 November 2014.

For more information and latest updates on the Competition, visit www.iwsc.net.