Barry Crockett, former Master Distiller at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, was announced as the winner of the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2013 Outstanding Achievement award at a ceremonial dinner which took place in London this week (16th July 2013).
The award paid tribute to Barry Crockett’s significant contribution to the growth of the Irish Whiskey category, following an illustrious career spanning over 47 years, during which time Barry has witnessed the phenomenal worldwide success of Jameson and overseen the creation of the revered Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton range.
Barry Crockett commented “I am deeply honoured to have received this Outstanding Achievement award. 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 everyone at Irish Distillers who has supported me over the last 47 years.”
Anna Malmhake, CEO and chairman of Irish Distillers, comments: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Barry Crockett to receive this award for Outstanding Achievement. Barry has played such an important part in Irish Distillers’ success and his contribution to the Irish whiskey category is unrivalled. Barry will be missed around the distillery by us all but with Brian Nation now taking over after years of mentoring from Barry, we are confident that our Irish Whiskeys will continue to achieve great acclaim from the industry in the years to come and will be a true legacy to Barry and his ancestors.”
Irish Distillers had further reason to celebrate after scooping a total of nine gold awards in the ISC, with three expressions – Jameson Gold Reserve, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare all awarded Best in Class status, highlighting the outstanding quality of the company’s Irish Whiskey range.
Irish Distillers’ success at the ISC follows an excellent gold medal haul for Jameson in this year’s Beverage Tasting Institute, with Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve rewarded with a Platinum medal, while Jameson Gold Reserve and Jameson Select Reserve both received gold medals.
FULL RESULTS
International Spirits Challenge
Gold – Best in Class
Jameson Gold Reserve
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy
Midleton Very Rare
Gold
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
Redbreast 12 YO
Redbreast 15 YO
Yellow Spot
Powers John’s Lane Release
Midleton Single Cask Release (1991 48750)
Beverage Testing Institute
Platinum
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
Gold
Jameson Gold Reserve
Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel
NOTES
About Irish Distillers
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 Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare, completing the line-up.
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of € 8,215 million in 2011/12. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: 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, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate (formerly Montana), Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines.
Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of nearly 18 800 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 75 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.