The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has just been announced as winner of the ‘Best Innovation’ and ‘Disruptor of the Year’ categories at the 2022 Best Business Awards. Jay Bradley, Founder & CEO, has been named winner in the ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur’ category.

Upon his firm receiving no less than three accolades at this year’s Best Business Awards – one of the UK’s highest profile awards – Mr Bradley said: “I’m delighted that The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has won the category for Best Innovation at the Best Business Awards, as this is an area we pride ourselves on the most and is the foundation of everything we do. Whether it’s through crafting the liquid or through the craftsmanship seen in our designs, we are always looking to innovate, so this award means a great deal.”

Proud disruptors”

“We have ruffled a lot of feathers in the whiskey industry since we began in 2018, but we are proud disruptors. We’ve come in and we have reimagined the process – from adding water first, underfilling our barrels, crafting the flavour and experimenting with new flavours before elevating the whole whiskey experience through how we present our whiskeys,” he advised. “No expense is spared from the liquid through to the design of the bottle/set. A huge team effort goes on behind the scenes and I look forward to celebrating this award with the entire Craft Irish team.”

Mr Bradley remarked that he was “personally chuffed” to receive the award for Outstanding Entrepreneur. “It makes all the sleepless nights and hard graft worth it,” he said. “The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was an idea born by myself and my father, who is no longer with us. He had a brilliant entrepreneurial mind. I know he’d be super proud of all the company is achieving and he too would be delighted to see me win this award. This one is for him.”

 

“Reviving the whiskey-making art”

The Best Business Awards pride themselves on having a large panel of independent expert judges who select winners according to strict criteria for each category and sector.

Commenting on The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., the chairman of the judges congratulated The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. “for reviving the whiskey-making art by elevating it with science”. The result is “expertly crafted rare whiskeys with their own unique flavour and aroma”, they said. 

“It’s a big investment for a new company,” the chairman continued, “but so far it has broken the records for the most expensive inaugural whiskey sold at auction and the most expensive whiskey in the world. This is a brilliant start for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and a real boost for the Irish whiskey industry.

“By taking a premium distillate and applying the knowledge and skills of the old whiskey masters, but [by] improving the craft with scientific processes, it has created outstanding rare whiskeys. Its collaborations with exclusive brands are a great move to position the brand as a high-end luxury product for private clients.

“Sláinte! to entrepreneur Jay Bradley for putting mass production in its place and reviving the art of crafting superb Irish whiskey the old-fashioned way with a bit of help from science! In the 19th century, Irish whiskey dominated the market, and Jay has brought the spirit back to its former glory.” 

Prestigious wins at The World Whiskies Awards

In February, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. won Best Single Malt whiskey in Ireland under the no age statement category at The World Whiskies Awards with its inaugural release, The Devil's Keep.  This marked the first time The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. had entered the prestigious World Whiskies Awards. The company entered three of its four releases, and not only topped the category with The Devil's Keep but it dominated it too, receiving a Silver for its latest release The Taoscán, and a Bronze for its third release, The Brollach.

Whiskies to stand the test of time 

Irish whiskey is a market that is growing at a spectacular rate, up 300 per cent in the past decade, according to the Cask Whiskey Buyer Report, as this age-old commodity becomes the newest worthy investment. 

Offering ultra-rare whiskies of distinction, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. leverages upon this growing interest. “In reinventing and elevating the process of maturation, we have reimagined Irish whiskey as a luxury to rival the finest wines, jewellery and art,” the company states. “Record-breaking and award-winning, the complex, rich notes of the single malts are testament to the skill, artistry and obsession with perfection we pour into every detail. From the whiskey to the glass, a Fabergé egg to the skilled craftsmanship of the box, our whiskeys are unlike anything that has come before, or will again. Whether savoured in the now or saved for the future, these are whiskeys that stand the test of time.”