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Whisky expert wins IWSC Communicator 2013
The International Wine & Spirit Competition has named UK-based whisky specialist Dave Broom as the winner of its Communicator of the Year 2013 award.
Dave Broom, IWSC Communicator of the Year 2013
Sponsored by Veronafiere, the award was announced during a gala dinner to mark the start of this year’s Vinitaly.
Broom fought off strong international competition from the five other names on the shortlist: Eric Asimov, wine critic of the New York Times; Arto Koskelo, a Finnish writer and presenter; Jean Smullen, an Irish journalist and consultant; Jan Petersen, a Swedish journalist, broadcaster and photographer; and Richard Paterson, master blender for Whyte & Mackay.
In addition to his responsibilities as contributing editor of Whisky Magazine and editor in chief of its Japanese sister title, Brighton-based Broom is a columnist and taster for US publication Whisky Advocate, as well as writing for German’s Mixology, China’s Drink! and French magazines Fine Spirits and Ginger.
Having most recently published The World Atlas of Whisky, a companion volume to The World Atlas of Wine, Broom highlighted the growing respect that has been won by the spirits sector in recent years.
“When I started writing about spirits they were regarded as little more than an industrial product not worthy of deep study”, he remarked. “Thankfully this has changed and people are now realising the artistry and creativity that goes into crafting a fantastic spirit brand is every bit as great as that required to craft a wonderful wine.”
Upon receiving his award, Broom chose to accept it on behalf of “the wonderful distillers and blenders within the spirits industry for giving me their time and sharing their expertise”, as well as “all the great bartenders around the world.”
Explaining the decision to make Broom the 18th recipient of this award – and only the second winner from the spirits sector – Anna Grant, head of sales & marketing, for the IWSC, said: “Judges were impressed by the breadth of his knowledge and the passion and enthusiasm with which he shares it.”
Further comment from the judging panel described Broom as “one of the most universally accessible communicators” and praised “his ability to reach live audiences around the world in both consumer and trade”.
Previous winners of the IWSC Communicator of the Year award include Jancis Robinson MW, Hugh Johnson, Oz Clarke and last year’s winner, Charlie Arturaola from Uruguay.