BARRY CROCKETT JOINS THE WHISKY MAGAZINE HALL OF FAME 

Barry Crockett, former Master Distiller at the Midleton Distillery, has become the 17th inductee into the coveted Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.

Awarded by ex-editor of Whisky Magazine, Rob Allanson, at the publication’s annual awards ceremony in London, Crockett was recognised for his contribution to the growth of the Irish Whiskey category during his 47 year career with Irish Distillers. 

Allanson commended Crockett for “redefining Irish whiskey by combining technology, innovation, and craftsmanship with a deep sense of history” and overseeing operations at Midleton during “some of the most eventful times in Irish whiskey’s history”. 

Crockett’s award was supported by other key wins for Irish Distillers at the Icons of Whisky Rest of World* competition, including ‘Whisky Distiller of the Year’ for the third year running and ‘Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year’ for the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin. Final tasting results for the World Whiskies Awards were also revealed, with Redbreast 15 Year Old scooping ‘World’s Best Irish Pot Still’. 

Irish Distillers’ success last week follows a groundbreaking medal win at New York’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge earlier this month, with Redbreast 21 Year Old awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the Irish Pot Still Whiskey category. With a perfect 100 score, Redbreast 21 Year Old became the first Irish whiskey to ever achieve this feat and is the only spirit from any category to do so this year – it also marks the fifth consecutive year that a Redbreast expression has received the top Irish Pot Still Whiskey score. 

Crockett, who was also recognised for his Outstanding Achievement at the International Spirits Challenge last year, said: “I am deeply honoured to join the list of whiskey greats in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The success of Irish whiskey around the world in recent years has given me a great deal of pleasure and I am particularly proud to have been able to contribute to its development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Midleton distillery and I would like to thank, once again, everyone at Irish Distillers who has supported me over the last 47 years.” 

Notes: 

*Icons of Whisky Rest of World judges whiskey distillers based outside of Scotland and the USA 

Icons of Whisky results:

Hall of Fame (17th Inductee) – Barry Crockett

Whisky Distiller of the Year (Rest of World) – Irish Distillers

Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year (Rest of World) – Old Jameson Distillery 

World Whiskies Awards results:

Redbreast 12 Year Old – World’s Best Irish Pot Still 

Ultimate Spirits Challenge results (out of 100):

Blended Irish Whiskey:                                                     

93  Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel                     

93  Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve                                                  

93  Jameson Gold                                                              

93  Jameson 18 Years Old                                               

92  Jameson 12 Years Old                                                

92  Midleton Very Rare                                                       

92  Powers Gold Label                                                      

89  Jameson Original                                     

Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey:

100  Redbreast 21 Year Old

96  Powers Signature Release                        

94  Powers John’s Lane Release

94  Redbreast 15 Year Old

94  Redbreast 12 Year Old

94  Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength

92  Green Spot

92  Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy 

About Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard

Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility.  

A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midleton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees. 

Irish whiskey brands within the Irish Distillers’ portfolio include Jameson, Paddy and Powers, with Single Pot Still brands, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast and the much-revered Midleton, which includes prestigious expressions such as Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare.