Kentucky Distillery Wins Best Distiller Of The Year At 2026 World Whiskies Awards

Heaven Hill Distillery takes home five honors, including Top Distiller of the Year award.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 1:10pm

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The 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America ceremony was held in Louisville, Kentucky, where Heaven Hill Distillery was named Top Distiller of the Year, the third time the distillery has won this award. Heaven Hill also won several other categories, including Best American Rye Whiskey and Best American Wheat Whiskey.

Why it matters

This recognition cements Heaven Hill's status as a leading American whiskey producer, known for its consistency, innovation, and range of award-winning products. As an independent, family-owned distillery, the wins are a testament to the hard work and expertise of the Heaven Hill team.

The details

At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America ceremony, Heaven Hill Distillery took home five honors, including Top Distiller of the Year, Sustainable Distiller, and PR Team. The distillery also received Highly Commended awards for Distillery Manager and Production Team. In the World Whiskies Awards categories, Heaven Hill won Best American Rye Whiskey (no age statement) for their Elijah Craig Toasted Rye and Best American Wheat for their Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-year-old Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey.

  • The awards ceremony was held on February 12, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Heaven Hill Distillery has now won the Top Distiller of the Year award three times.

The players

Heaven Hill Distillery

A leading independent, family-owned and led spirits company in the United States, known for its portfolio of award-winning bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey brands including Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Larceny.

Conor O'Driscoll

The Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery.

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What they’re saying

“We're proud of these wins because they reflect both consistency and range. 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.”

— Conor O'Driscoll, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill Distillery

What’s next

Heaven Hill Distillery will represent the United States at the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner in March, where they will compete against whiskies from around the world for the title of World's Best.

The takeaway

Heaven Hill Distillery's multiple award wins, including the prestigious Top Distiller of the Year honor, solidify its reputation as a leading independent American whiskey producer known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.