The Laverstoke Mill centre was also named highly recommended in the Best Digital and Social Media Initiative category by the judging panel at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust in London last month.
Dr Nicholas Morgan, Diageo’s head of whisky outreach and member of the judging panel, said: “I have so much admiration for the scale of their ambition. They have really thought through the whole thing. It raises the game for everyone.”
Although not a distillery, the Scotch Whisky Experience impressed judges with the job it had done in explaining and promoting scotch whisky to be awarded the Best Educational Experience.
Christopher Hayman, of Hayman Distillers, said: “It has done a fantastic job for the scotch whisky industry. In fact it is quite a challenge to other spirits industries.”
In the fourth category, Van Ryn’s was named Best Distillery Tour as Dewar’s Aberfeldy took home a Highly Recommended accolade.
The judging panel included Christian Davis, editor of Drinks International, Dr Nicholas Morgan, Diageo’s head of whisky outreach; and Christopher Hayman, of Hayman Distillers.
Davis said: “Distilleries, certainly large-scale operations, have to be more than about just making spirit these days.
“As people become more sophisticated and more demanding in what they expect from destinations and attractions, distillery owners have had to up their game when it comes to visitor centres and tours.”
