And now...the winners of the 2007 Drammies

Wow.
What an interesting award season THIS has been.
We've had quite a bit of over-exuberance regarding the awards.

And the winners don't even get a cool statuette! Just the knowledge that a world-wide audience of thousands of whisky lovers had the chance to nominate and select the winners.

You've likely read here and in all of the UK papers regarding an unfortunate incident. But never fear, the awards come off untarnished...as do the nominees.

One significant point of order on voting and how votes were counted.

We looked VERY closely at all of the votes - and anything that so much as hinted of impropriety was disregarded.

What was worthy of being disregarded?

1. Suspicious Volumes from industry domains - I don't want to create a misconception. Industry people were certainly allowed to vote in the awards - there are a lot of industry people who read this site. It was the volume of emails from single domains that created a problem for me. So floods of emails with similar votes from industry domains were disregarded.
2. Single votes - There were some nominees who let their fans and friends know that they were up for an award. Nothing wrong with that - BUT all votes that came in which consisted of a single vote, for a single product in a single category were disregarded.
3. Voting in a bloc - You certainly did not have to have an opinion on every category - most people did not. And as stated in #2 above, single votes were disregarded. But if someone submitted votes only in categories in which a single company's products were nominated - and only voted for those products, the votes were disregarded.
4. Uninformed votes - A couple of votes were disregarded for specific reasons. There was no ill intent in these votes, BUT when a statement was included that said (for example) "I haven't tried any of these products, but like the idea of a "Coffee-flavoured malt", then the vote was disregarded. You get the idea.

The Drammies were created to be, above all, a "People's Choice" award and to try to disregard the influence that the industry has over the spirits writers and periodicals that generally grant the awards that get touted.

No fees here. Only nominations for the more interesting things out there, and awards for (hopefully) the most deserving products.

I've also included some of the more entertaining/insightful quotes that accompanied some of the votes.

So without further ado, your winners...

Before we move on to the winners in the nominated categories

I want to take some time to announce the winner of the special 2007 Drammmie Award for Class.

This goes to Managing Director of a certain Progressive Hebridean Distillery who, like everyone else, submitted his votes. But, in no category in which his distillery or its products were nominated did he vote for them - he instead selected other nominees. As an aside, he did not cast a vote at all in the "Worst Category". To me, that's class.

This year we are doing something different and showing each nominee, along with the percent of votes they received in the category. Keep in mind that all nominees were winners as they had to receive multiple nominations to be included, AND the final nominees were vetted by a panel of knowledgeable "whisky experts".

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Best Packaging/ Marketing Campaign
Marketing counts. This packaging is sure to make someone pick it up. Ad, viral video, commercial, packaging, publicity stunt. Whatever it was it was the best.

Winner

Highland Park 18 "Whisky Amnesty" at Glasgow, Whisky Live   
28% of the votes

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Johnnie Walker  "Keep Walking" (Campaign)
23% of the votes

• As the man says, he doesn’t even like Johnnie Walker, but the ads definitely get his attention.  Can’t say that about too many products!
• Bad whisky, nice campaign.
• just brilliant

Ardbeg Mor
20% of the votes

• It's as an Ardbeg should be: 10yo , at Cask strength and in a 4 1/2 litre Bottle ! Who could ask for Mor........
• I love Ardbeg 10yr old and eventually I’m going to get a straw big enough to reach the bottom of one of those babies…

Port Charlotte (Packaging)
14% of the votes

• I haven't even opened my bottle up yet because I like the packaging so much. I will soon though, for a special occasion.
• It simply looks powerful yet elegant. Modern, but rooted in tradition. No bull, just like Jim (McEwan).

Maker's Mark Ambassador program
13% of the votes

The Knot - Viral videos
2%  of the votes

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Bang for the Buck
You simply can't beat this whisky at this price. You'd probably buy it if it cost more, but for now you'll just load up on it.

Winner

Laphroaig Quarter Cask
37% of the votes

• A good whisky at great value. Nuff said.

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Glenfarclas 105
22% of the votes

• class in a glass

Benromach Traditional
11% of the votes

• My last bottle of this was well under $30. It lasted about a week. It just has tons of personality and character .

Forty Creek Barrel Select
10% of the votes

• $16 for one of the smoothest, most enjoyable, hand-crafted whiskies I've ever had? Sign me up.

Black Bottle 10 year old
10% of the votes

• Lives in my hip flask at football games.  Good enough to be a great drink, cheap enough that you don’t mind handing it round to SMS ‘heathens’.
• It's not the "Heart of Islay" for no reason!
• It's time blends got some of the limelight and some of the snobbishness surrounding Single Malts was punctured.

Bulleit Bourbon
10% of the votes

• It is a great bourbon and at a lower price than any of the others.  What more could you ask for?

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Distiller/Blender/Independent Bottler of the Year
Over all this distiller/blender did the best job this year. New Products, moving the industry forward, whatever criteria you choose, these guys are in the forefront.

Winner

Bruichladdich
49% of the votes

• Not a huge fan of the product, but you’ve got to give it to them for innovation.
• These guys are the indie rockers of distilleries. Daring, defiant and guided by their instincts.
• They are always ahead of the pack and maintain a bit of an edge.
• Perennially innovative and cool
• May not agree with Acing but you can't fault the Laddies and Lassies.
• The "mad scientists" of Bruichladdich aren't afraid to experiment with new ideas for making single malt whisky while still paying respect to the "art" of distilling.
• But I hope they don’t start believing too much of their own hype.

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Duncan Taylor
14% of the votes

• Very surprising 'new' old high quality bottlings, this year.

Single Malts of Scotland
13% of the votes

Benriach
10% of the votes

• I saw them at WL Glasgow and they're like Bruichladdich, only trying harder and with less ego. I think. Plus their whisky is very good.

Dewar Rattray
8% of the votes

Ichiro
6% of the votes

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Most Innovative New Product
Was there anything NEW this year that just put everyone else to shame? Someone who moved the bar, tried something different.

Winner

Compass Box Canto Series
58% of the votes

• I’ve met Jon Glaser and he’s mad as a hatter. If you can get some ‘Morpheus’ do.

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Nikka Single Coffey Malt
22% of the votes

Johnnie Walker Bespoke Blend Experience
21% of the votes

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Best New Product (whisky)

The category says it all. This product was introduced (or reached your market) in 2007. And it was simply the best new thing out there.

Winner

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist
36% of the votes

• Just yummy, yummy stuff.  Truly a shame they will run out of this one day.
• I bought a bottle early last year and have been savoring it. A great special occasion whisky and one of my favorites. Reminds me of the long lost 17yr that was so legendary.
• a new OB Ardbeg is cause for celebration.
• for my palate it’s the Ardbeg Nam Beist, but damn I love Stranahan’s!
• it is a wonderful Dram and knocks the socks off the old 17yo
• Beist is the best.

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Glenfarclas Family Casks
30% of the votes

• I’ve tried all of the nominees and this by far is the best by a long shot!

Port Charlotte PC5
20% of the votes

• This is a five year-old whisky?  Amazing!
• Stonkingly good stuff. I liked the Ardbeg, but it was 'just' another Ardbeg.

Compass Box Hedonism Maximus
9% of the votes

Stranahan's Colorado Whisky
4% of the votes

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Best New Product (Non-whisky i.e., book, resource, web site, etc)
You couldn't drink it, but you could read it, view it, use it. This product was introduced (or reached your market) in 2007. And it was simply the best new thing out there.

Winner

Dr. Whisky
45% of the votes

• An informative, entertaining resource for all things whisky.  A visit to this site has become part of my daily routine.
• Dr. Whisky takes away from the world of free-association tasting notes and offers readable, informative reviews.
• Love it, love it, love it.  Honest, funny, plain-spoken yet poetic.  Informative, well-researched.  Good for snobs and newbies.  I read it before work every morning.

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The Whisky Channel
22% of the votes

The Legend of Laphroaig
20% of the votes

• Very accurate history of the distillery. Best book of a distillery ever. This will be THE standard for Laphroaig's history for at least half a century, I think.
• Captivating writer, experienced and knowledgeable

What Does John Know
13% of the votes

• Always a good read - John knows his stuff.

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Most under-rated-whisky
This one doesn't get any respect. People don't know about it OR it's just a lot better than people give it credit for.

Winner

Glenfarclas
52% of the votes

• By far, it doesn’t get the respect and recognition that it deserves.  I collect every bottle I can!
• One of the last family-owned distilleries in Scotland.  An excellent core range of whiskys and a great visitors' center and distillery tour.

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Sheep Dip
20% of the votes

• Nicely made, good evolution on the packaging, managed to progress and avoided gimmic-iness. Good to see it back.

Arran 10
15% of the votes

• Great stuff and great price point as well. Just wait until Arran builds up inventory 12+ years and more - they are on to great things.
• Deserves a lot more exposure.

Dalmore Cigar Malt
9% of the votes

• Liquid honey. Lush and chocolaty. ~$25 is ridiculous for this quality, whatever you're smoking.

Amrut
4% of the votes

• Not many will vote for this one, but I liked it, and someone has to...

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Worst Marketing Campaign
Ad, viral video, commercial, packaging, publicity stunt. Whatever it was it was the worst.

"Winner"

Canadian Club (Damn Right Your Dad Drank It)
40% of the votes

• You know what else my Dad drank?  Paregoric...I'll make my own drink choices thanks.
• How can an entire marketing team take their eyes off the ball *at the same time*?
• Stupid, insulting, offensive, misogynist, just plain dumb.  Also gives anything Canadian a bad name!

(ed. note: This really surprised me - how many people HATED the CC ad - even more than the ill-conceived and much maligned Glenmorangie "brand overhaul".)

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Glenmorangie Brand overhaul
24% of the votes

• An annoying process to make us pay more for the same content.
• No idea why they thought this was good idea.  It really tarnished the image of an otherwise classic.
• "Why?" – Exactly. What the heck do the names mean? Try ordering them at a bar by name- good luck.
• I'm not sure how an agency talked them into it, but by attempting to move "upmarket" they've squandered and eroded a perfectly healthy and equitable brand. And the renaming? (...hmmm...Lets make malt whisky LESS accessible. Okay?) 'nuff said.
• The slicing down in the number of expressions and making them more expensive, wauv, I am so NOT gonna buy into that.
• I only have to echo the sentiments of far wiser heads and ask ‘why’? The ten year old whisky was excellent as was their finishes but their website and products are just too over the top now.
  
  I strongly suspect someone in Marketing had to justify their wages!  IMHO Prepare crash positions and a reverse in position….

Macallan 55 year old Lalique
20% of the votes

• They should run a campaign on getting people to pronounce their name right. For the amount of sales they produce and wide market exposure, you’d think that they could push people past McCallums – nails on a chalkboard

Glenfiddich (Every Year Counts)
8% of the votes

Johnnie Walker Blue - King George V
8% of the votes

Comments

[lawschooldrunk]

Thanks for the hard work compiling, Kevin. And congrats to all the winners and runner-ups! (except CC and glenmorangie)

[George Grant]

Cheers Kevin, keep up all the good work, and thanks to Everyone who voted for Glenfarclas all the support is much appreciated.
Bring on the 2008 Drammies!!!

[lawschooldrunk]

this wasn't the original intent of my first post but...seeing as I'm the only one that thanked you for your work and selfless effort, where's my macallan baseball cap??? (ok, I'll take a scotch-blog t-shirt instead.)

[Kevin Erskine]

What is it with lawyers and future lawyers - always looking for a hand out ;)

[Ian Buxton]

Great job Kevin. Well done - such a lot of hard work and such fun to read.

As for lawyers - well, that's Law 1.01 isn't it, with refreshers every other class.

And now, if you don't send him one, he'll sue for mental distress, loss of reputation, libel, discrimination - in fact, he'll take the shirt off your back and the hat off your head. (Only joking, lawyers, love you really.)

[Tom Alanko]

Great work! A good read.

I agree with almost all of the votes, truly people’s choice.

I'll link to it from my Spanish whiskyblog.