The ISC judging panels are led by a Chair judge and comprise of a mix of experts from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are delighted to be supported by key international master blenders and distillers; leading retailers and on trade professionals as well as influential drinks writers and consultants.
Click on each heading below to reveal details of last years judging panels.
Agave Spirits
Carlos Londono, Café Pacifico (Chair)
Mel Abert, MA Wine & Spirit Imports Ltd
Jen Aspell, Casa Agave
Antonio Valdez, Café Pacifico
Tom Bartram, Speciality Brands
Eduardo Gomez, Tequila and Mezcal Fest UK
Alan Uresti Silva, Head of Agave Spirits - Annabels Mexican Bar
Asian Spirits
Marie Cheong-Thong, The Larder at 36 (Chair)
Bryan Rodriguez, Harvey Nichols
Andrea Dinori, Fenjiu Brand Ambassador
Oliver Hilton Johnson, Japanese Alcohol Specialist
Tobias Gorn, International Drinks Specialist Judge and Writer
Aquavit, Low or No Alcohol Distilled Spirits, Eaux de Vie & Fruit Brandies & Speciality World Spirits
Johan Svensson, Drinks Fusion (Chair)
Nick Bell, Harvey Nichols
Fredrick Olsson, Kosmopol
Panu Long, Drinks Consultant
Jon Anders Fjeldsrud, Amathus Drinks Plc
Brandy, Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Grappa, Pisco
Olivier Paultes, Cognac Hennessy / LVMH (Chair)
Julieann Fernandez, Distell International
Reinhard Pohorec, Drinks writer
Lucy Britner, Drinks Journalist
Tim Shickle, Hedonism
Edward Bates
Distilled London (UK) Ltd
Design & Packaging
Chris Dumont, Mossburn Distillers (Chair)
Liz Finn, Cowan
Simon Elmer, W Grant
Mark Paton, Here Design
Natalie Alexander, Butterfly Cannon
Gin & Genever
Sir Desmond Payne, Chivas Brothers (Chair)
Lesley Gracie, William Grant & Sons
Will Lowe, Cambridge Distillers
Jake Burger, Portobello Road GIn
Alex Wolpert, East London Liquor Company
Liqueurs
Myriam Hendrickx, De Kuyper (chair)
Luca Missaglia, Italicus
Victor Lanson, Opus Cellars Ltd.
Federico Pavan, Donovan Bar
Peter Dorelli
Rod Eslamieh, Disaronno and Tia Maria
Peter Hallgarten, Peter Hallgarten Liqueurs
Pre-Mixed Drinks
Shay Waterworth, Drinks International (Chair)
Emily Webster, Whisky Auction Ltd
Alex Lawrence, Langstane Liquor Company
Fabrice Limon, Scotch + Limon
James Law, East London Liquor Company
Matt Dicks, Waitrose
Rum & Cane Spirits, Cachaça
Carsten E. Vlierboom, E & A Scheer BV (Chair)
Sly Augustin, Trailer Happiness
Peter Martin, Broker’s Gin
Douglas McIvor, Berry Brothers & Rudd
Steven Magarry, Beenleigh
Scotch, Japanese, American, Irish & World Whisk(e)y
Sir Richard Paterson, Whyte and Mackay (Chair)
David Stewart, William Grant & Sons
Billy Leighton, Irish Distillers
Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie
Gordon Motion, Edrington
Frances Jack, Scotch Whisky Research Institution
Neil Ridley, Drinks writer and Presenter
Sam Simmons, Atom Brands
Margaret Nicol, Whyte & Mackay (Scorer)
Vodka
Ian Wisniewski, Drinks Writer (Chair)
Lesley Gracie, William Grant and Sons
Jake O'Brien Murphy, Drinks Writer
Dima Deinega, Dimas Vodkas
Julian De Feral, Gorgeous Group
Steve Manktelow, GOAT