The 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America ceremony was held at The Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 12, 2026. Members of the whiskey community came together to highlight and celebrate the achievements of the American whiskey industry.

Categories at this ceremony are exclusively for American whiskey, including bourbon and Tennessee whiskey. Winners will advance to the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner in March to compete for the World’s Best titles against whiskies from all over the world.

Heaven Hill Distillery of Bardstown, Kentucky, took home five honors for the Icons of Whisky America awards, including Top Distiller of the Year, the third time the distillery has won this award. Heaven Hill also won the Sustainable Distiller and PR Team categories and received Highly Commended for both Distillery Manager and Production Team categories. 

For the World Whiskies Awards, Heaven Hill took the top spot for Best American Rye Whiskey (no age statement) for their Elijah Craig Toasted Rye and Best American Wheat for their Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, a 19-year-old Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. Following the naming of Elijah Craig Rye Barrel Proof as Whiskey of the Year by Whiskey Advocate, the distillery continues to prove its strength in the rye whiskey category.

Credit:

Courtesy of Heaven Hill Distillery

“We’re proud of these wins because they reflect both consistency and range,” said Heaven Hill Master Distiller, Conor O’Driscoll. “From premium, innovative rye to well-aged wheat whiskey, it speaks to the breadth of what our teams are capable of. These awards belong to the people who make the whiskey every day, and they reinforce the long-term mindset we bring to the work. We’re building for today, and we’re building for the next generation.”

Heaven Hill is the largest independent, family-owned and led spirits company in the United States. Their brand portfolio includes Heaven Hill Whiskey, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Widow Jane, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, Henry McKenna Bourbons, and more.