The 2023 winner of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale’s ‘Best Sommelier in the World’ award, Raimonds Tomsons, has partnered with the creators of 2022’s Best Irish Single Malt, representing the brand and its commitment to excellence.
About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to restore Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, elevating its potential as a luxury product. Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return premium Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey.
Raimonds will partner with the brand and work closely with Jay, championing its dedication to truly unique and exceptional Irish whiskeys across the globe. This partnership further exemplifies The Craft Irish Whiskey Co’s commitment to hospitality, coming off the back of a number of innovative collaborations with luxury restaurants, the continuation of its work with The Michelin Guide, and an exciting new partnership with World’s 50 Best Restaurants, as the awards’ Official Whiskey of the World Partner.
About Raimonds Tomsons
Tomsons is deeply embedded in and connected to the global wine community. In addition to winning the prize for The World’s Best Sommelier in 2023, he was presented with the award for Best Sommelier in Europe and Africa 2017. He has first-hand experience with the workings of several world-class restaurants including El Bulli, Noma, and Osteria Francescana, and has worked alongside chef Mārtiņš Rītiņš at restaurant Vincents in Riga, Latvia. Raimonds is also a board member of the Latvian Sommelier Association, a wine judge at the Decanter Wine World Awards, and a jury member for the world-renowned Star Wine Lists.
Raimonds Tomsons said: “Joining the team at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is an exciting milestone in my professional career. For me, being a sommelier means perpetual learning, and exploring the diverse world of wine, spirits, and other beverages. Fine whiskey has always been a spirit which I especially loved, so by joining Jay and his team as Global Brand Ambassador, I will have the opportunity to learn from the best, explore fine Irish whiskey in depth, and work on innovative whiskey and food pairings, sharing my knowledge and passion with others, and elevating the overall experience.”
The Whiskies
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s range of rare and ultra-rare Irish whiskeys includes its inaugural release, The Devil’s Keep, which won the award for The World’s Best Irish Single Malt at The World Whiskies Awards in 2022.
Another flagship whiskey for the brand, The Emerald Isle, became famous in 2021, when the first of only seven sets created sold at auction for $2,000,000. The oldest and rarest triple distilled single malt in existence, each The Emerald Isle set is presented in a stunning, one-of-a-kind collector’s chest, accompanied by a bespoke Fabergé Celtic Egg, handcrafted by a fourth-generation Fabergé Workmaster.
Other exceptional whiskeys include The Taoscán, the first and only whiskey of its kind, a Port & Chestnut finished whiskey, and The Aodh, with an extremely limited run of just 88 bottles.
To discover more, visit: craftirishwhiskey.com
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All imagery courtesy of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.