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
Joseph Wood, Agave Spirits Expert
Giorgio Cofos, Agave Spirits Expert
Asian Spirits
Marie Cheong-Thong, The Larder at 36 (Chair)
Stephan Koch, Asian Drinks Expert
Bryan Rodriguez, Harvey Nichols
Andrea Dinori, Fenjiu Brand Ambassador
Aquavit, Other World Spirits
Johan Svensson, Drinks Fusion (Chair)
Nick Bell, Harvey Nichols
Fredrick Olsson, Kosmopol
Panu Long, Drinks Consultant
Ivan Dixon, Drinks Consultant
Brandy, Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Grappa, Pisco
Olivier Paultes, Cognac Hennessy / LVMH (Chair)
Amanda Garnham, BNIArmagnac
Matias Llobet, Torres
Julieann Fernandez, Distell International
Reinhard Pohorec, Drinks writer
Arthur Nägele, Trainer, speaker & advisor
Design & Packaging
Chris Dumont, Mossburn Distillers (Chair)
Liz Finn, Cowan
Lee Cook, CookChick
Simon Elmer, W Grant
Gin & Genever
Sir Desmond Payne, Chivas Brothers (Chair)
Joanne Moore, Quintessential Brands
Anne Jones, Waitrose
Charles Maxwell, Thames Distillers
David T Smith, Summer Fruit Cup
Lesley Gracie, William Grant & Sons
Will Lowe, Cambridge Distillers
Jake Burger,Portobello Road GIn
Liqueurs & Specialities
Myriam Hendrickx, De Kuyper (chair)
Luca Missaglia, Italicus
Victor Lanson, Opus Cellars Ltd.
Salvatore Calabrese
Peter Dorelli
Pre-Mixed Drinks
Shay Waterworth, Drinks International (Chair)
Maya Orr, Lidl
JJ Goodman, London Cocktail Club
Emily Webster, Whisky Auction Ltd
Rum & Cane Spirits, Cachaça
Carsten E. Vlierboom, E & A Scheer BV (Chair)
Meimi Sanchez, Havana Club
Sly Augustin, Trailer Happiness
Peter Martin, Broker’s Gin
Roger Barnes, Spirits Elite
Scotch, Japanese, American, Irish & World Whisk(e)y
Richard Paterson, Whyte and Mackay (Chair)
Caroline Martin, Diageo
Billy Leighton, Irish Distillers
Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie
Gordon Motion, Edrington
David Stewart, William Grant & Sons
Margaret Nicol, Whyte & Mackay (Scorer)
Vodka
Ian Wisniewski, Drinks Writer (Chair)
David T Smith, Summer Fruit Cup
Veronika Karlova, Drinks Consultant
William Borrell, Vestel Vodka
Markku Raittinen, Finlandia Vodka
Fredrik Olsson, Kosmopol
Julia Nourney, Spirits Writer
Michael Foster, Belvedere vodka