The national awards celebration for the Scotch Whisky Industry has revealed its plans to broadcast a digital event this year to reveal winners in its annual competition.
The 2nd Annual Scottish Whisky Awards reported a 50% increase in the volume of entries in this highly challenging year of business for distilleries and independent bottlers. The competition which launched in March of this year has now completed its judging in both the business and the taste competition with panels assessing over 150 whiskies from 40 producers.
Winners will be announced as part of a digital event which will be broadcast from the Glasgow Doubletree Hilton hotel by comedian Des Clarke, however the event will only be open to registered ticket holders who will be able to watch from any computer or mobile phone device.
The chair of the judging panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, commented,
“It's important that we take time to recognise the achievements of the Scotch whisky industry in this year when businesses have been faced by extraordinary challenges. We've been very heartened to read of the phenomenal social enterprise going on across Scotland to support communities and it has reminded us all about the truly special role Scotch whisky has in Scottish society."
Kirsten Speirs, Director of KDMedia, founder of the programme, commented;
“We’re excited to be adding this digital event to our Scottish Whisky Awards programme and it is something we will certainly schedule on a long term basis. It is an opportunity to extend our reach beyond the live experience and bring in others from around the world to join in our celebrations of Scotch. Naturally, we are disappointed not to see everyone live this year, but we are encouraged by the positive support of finalists and sponsors to get involved.”
This week, judging the awards completed after 25 whisky experts from across the UK and Europe participated in live tastings on Zoom, moderated by global sensory experts, Cara Technology. Samples of Scotch whisky had been carefully decanted and dispatched to the homes of the judging panel and were arranged into a series of sessions. Marks are now being analysed and the finalists will be announced shortly.
Details on the new digital event can be found here