Spirits Communicator 2020 shortlist: Billy Abbott

The IWSC Spirits Communicator 2020 – sponsored by Chivas Brothers – recognises the individual or team who has best been able to engage with consumers to promote the world of spirits via both traditional media and new and unusual vehicles. The award recognises someone who connected strongly with consumers in 2019, adapted to the new normal of 2020, and has compelling plans going forward into 2021. We are profiling each of the shortlisted candidates...

Billy Abbott is the Whisky Ambassador for The Whisky Exchange.  A self-proclaimed ‘Whisky Geek’, he is the founding member of the Whisky Squad club, as well as blogger and content and training manager for Spirited Matters. He holds the WSET Spirits Level 3 and judges on various international spirit competition panels.

Part of the team that put together the Black Tot 24-hours tasting event, and one of the main presenters of the virtual Whisky Exchange Show and a WSET Level 2 spirits trainer, Abbott is on a mission to make people understand what makes their favourite spirit special.

During lockdown he converted a room in his house into a studio so he could continue to record Facebook and Instagram videos, hosting over 22 talks in a week on various spirits. His next aim is to convert UK consumers to the joys of Asian spirits.

View this post on Instagram

The @whiskyshow presenting team: crap Frank Spencer, the real Blue Steel (@davewasabi) and the flamingo stroker (@dawndaviesmw). An excellent 8 days of slow mental decline and encroaching insanity held at bay by these two and the show team. I await the inevitable call up for whatever the next sadistic plan that Dawn comes up with is... . #whiskyshow #neveragain #maybenextweek

A post shared by Billy Abbott (@meatrobot) on Oct 13, 2020 at 5:07am PDT

View the other nominees

• Neil Ridley
• Ian Burrell
• The Three Drinkers
• Becky Paskin

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is a global drinks producer and exports company steeped in Scottish heritage. It is the only Pernod Ricard business dedicated entirely to Scotch whisky and comprises a prestigious range of single malt and blended whiskies. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet.