American Whiskey Magazine editor Phoebe Calver has won the inaugural Women of Whisky Award (WOW) for best Spirits Writer of the Year.
Calver’s win, along with the announcement of nine other categories, took place at the Bourbon Women SIPosium on 25 August in Louisville, Kentucky. The evening brought together industry leaders to celebrate and support the achievements of women in the spirits world.
Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler, who both contribute to American Whiskey Magazine, including as its regular tasters, collected the award on behalf of Calver.
Calver has been editor of American Whiskey since September 2019, her first issue being number seven. Since taking charge, the magazine has rocketed in popularity, with a collection of impressive cover stars and outstanding features.
Following the announcement of nominations at the beginning of August, the winners in each category were determined by a small group of five industry experts. The judges remain anonymous and are not influenced by the companies and brands which support Bourbon Women, the Bourbon Women Foundation or the WOW awards.
Commenting on her win, Calver said: “I’m so incredibly proud to have been awarded this title in an industry that is full of such pure talent. Thank you so much to the Bourbon Women Association for all that they do and for putting on the brilliant Women of Whiskey Awards.
"After nearly 15 years of building my confidence in writing, and studying an array of new spirits-related subjects to support that, this truly is a game-changing moment. I’ll forever be grateful to the team around me and to American Whiskey Magazine for trusting me with its direction.”
As well as working as editor on American Whiskey Magazine, Calver also works as editor of the Bourbon Annual. The latest volume is available to purchase
here.