IWSC Emerging Talent Awards: Rye Sweeney Named 2026 Spirits Business Winner

IWSC news

Thu 16 Apr 2026

By Zoe Cunliffe

The IWSC is delighted to announce Rye Sweeney as the winner of the 2026 Emerging Talent in Spirits Business Award, recognising one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking new voices shaping the global spirits industry. 

Selected from a diverse international field of producers, educators, innovators, and brand builders, Rye impressed the judges with their originality, community-driven approach, and commitment to making whisky culture more inclusive, joyful, and progressive. 

This year’s judging panel - Dawn Davies MW (Head Buyer, The Whisky Exchange), Olivier Ward (Spirits Writer & Consultant), and Ally Ayres (Founder, Karu Distillery), praised the breadth and quality of entries. Rye’s impact, authenticity, and momentum placed them firmly at the top of the shortlist. 

A New Kind of Spirits Leader 

Rye’s journey into the spirits industry began with a passion for whisky, but it was the community they found within the sector that inspired them to stay. After leaving the corporate world, they embraced hospitality, education, and advocacy roles across London and Melbourne, bringing their queer identity and neurodivergent perspective into spaces where such representation had been limited. 

The judges highlighted their ability to combine expertise with empathy, using hospitality as a tool for connection, safety, and celebration. 

"Rye's bringing a fresh, fun, much-needed new energy to whisky. Their approach is different, inclusive and exactly what the category needs right now." - Dawn Davies MW 

Drag & Drams: A Global Whisky Movement 

One of Rye’s most impactful initiatives is Drag & Drams , a queer whisky collective co-founded in 2024. Initially a Pride fundraiser, it has grown into an international series of events across London, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tasmania, and Paris. 

The concept blends education, performance, cocktails, and community, empowering local queer communities to continue hosting events independently.
 
"It’s incredibly hard to build something from nothing, and they've done it with authenticity and commercial instinct. The momentum behind Drag & Drams is impressive." - Olivier Ward 

Championing Inclusion in Whisky 

Rye’s influence extends beyond events. They have become a visible advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the whisky sector - an industry recently scrutinised for issues including misogyny, racism, and discrimination. 

In 2026, they were part of the founding team of Shared Spirit, a whisky festival centred on safety, inclusivity, and alternative ways of enjoying spirits. The festival includes cocktails, beer pairings, food, music, and education, designed to welcome new drinkers and create a space where everyone feels represented. 

"They're not just talking about inclusion; they're building structures that make it real. Rye's work is reshaping what whisky culture can be." - Ally Ayres 

Rapid Career Impact 

Although Rye has only been in the spirits industry for a few years, their achievements are significant: 

  • Rose to Assistant Bar Manager at Soho Whisky Club within six months  

  • Led panels at international whisky shows  

  • Analysed casks and collaborated with distillers  

  • Managed bar takeovers across Europe and Australia  

  • Launched a cocktail programme challenging the ‘whisky must be neat’ stereotype  

  • Built a global community around Drag & Drams  

  • Inspired individuals and communities through visibility and advocacy  

The judges agreed that this combination of creativity, empathy, and ambition makes them a standout emerging leader. 

On being told they had won the award, Rye said "Being recognised amongst such a strong cohort of lovely humans doing incredible things in the industry is a true honour. Reading their stories has reminded me that we are not alone in seeking to challenge and grow the industry for the better, and I am all the more inspired to continue to advocate for greater equality of treatment and opportunity for marginalised comes within the industry through education, hospitality and of course, good humour and silly, safe events!"

Supporting the Next Stage of their Journey 

As part of the prize, Rye will receive a £2,500 travel bursary, which they plan to use to expand Drag & Drams to new cities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Moray, Henley, Amsterdam, and Tasmania. 

The bursary will also support smaller distilleries owned by marginalised individuals, purchasing stock for international bar takeovers and amplifying voices across the whisky community. 

This aligns with the IWSC’s mission to champion global spirits talent and support those shaping the future of the industry. 

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