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Bartender Spirits Awards

Bartender Spirits Awards
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Martin Duffy

Whisky Educator and Ex Sr. Master of Whisky for the entire Diageo whisky portfolio

Martin C. Duffy, Whisk(e)y Educator, is an internationally known spirits educator and enthusiast. His appreciation of adult libations started during his early years as a bartender and continues on to this very day. A stellar presenter on the finer qualities of spirits (ham always goes well with a good whiskey), he has studied the finer art of distilling with some of the most accomplished distillers, blenders & craftsmen in Scotland, Ireland, France, Holland, Canada and the United States.

For over 20 years, he has preached the gospel according to spiritus frumenti to well over 100,000 people throughout the world. Starting as one of the original Johnnie Walker Scotch Brand Ambassadors, and finally achieving the title of Sr. Master of Whisky for the entire Diageo whisky portfolio. In the spring of 2008, Martin assumed the newly created role of Diageo Reserve Spirits Brand Ambassador for the Republic of Ireland based out of St. James Gate (the famed Guinness Brewery) in Dublin. During his 2 years on the Emerald Isle, he trained over 700 restaurant, pub and hotel staff plus conducted over 60 consumer spirit seminars.

He has represented such brands as Johnnie Walker, The Classic Malts, Bushmills, Ciroc Vodka, Ketel One vodka, Jack Daniels, Baileys Irish Cream, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Old Pulteney, Tanqueray gin, Grand Marnier, FEW Spirits, Journeyman, anCnoc, Glen Grant, George Dickel, Bowmore, Bulleit Bourbon, Benedictine D.O.M., Redemption Rye and Glenrothes.

In 2014, Mr. Duffy was selected by Chilled Magazine as one of their top 100 Drink Industry Influencers in the United States. Since August of 2014, Marty has been honored to be selected as the sole U.S. Brand Representative of the iconic Glencairn whisky tasting glass, a product of Scotland.

In addition to his love for his enviable roles, his Celtic heritage, family and country, Mr. Duffy is an accomplished cartoonist, a fanatic barware collector and a self-confessed know-it-all.

Meet our Judges

Kapri Robinson

US Bartender of the year 2024, Netflix Drinks Master's and Bartender of The Year 2023 at Liquor.com

Mike Ryan

Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago