Kevin O’Gorman Crowned Master Distiller / Master Blender of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards

Pictured here: Whisky Magazine Managing Editor Damian Riley Smith, Irish Distillers Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, World Whisky Awards Director Anita Ujszaszi Photo credit: Tony Baker

Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, took home the coveted title of Master Distiller / Master Blender of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards 2022, presented in a special ceremony in London on Thursday, March 24th.

O’Gorman was awarded the trophy in recognition of his contribution to the Irish Distillers portfolio and the wider Irish whiskey category since stepping into the role of Master Distiller in June 2020. Starting his career at Midleton in 1998, O’Gorman worked as a distiller under the tutelage of Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, before honing his maturation skills under then Master of Maturation Brendan Monks.

Since taking the helm, O’Gorman has facilitated the team’s continued commitment to innovation and experimentation within the Irish whiskey category, leading to a slew of noteworthy launches from the County Cork distillery.

A highlight of the Master Distiller’s tenure so far has been his opportunity to oversee the annual Midleton Very Rare Vintage, putting his own individual mark on the eagerly anticipated 2021 and 2022 expressions, both of which claimed Gold medals at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Commenting on his win, O’Gorman says: “This is an incredibly proud moment for me personally and for Irish whiskey which continues to establish itself as a leading spirit on the world stage.

“This trophy is a tribute to my predecessors, who taught me so much, and the incredible team at Midleton Distillery today, whose boundless passion and dedication means we are able to produce award-wining whiskeys of unrivalled quality.”

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index