The finalists in the 2nd annual Scottish Whisky Awards have been announced with 128 whiskies progressing to the finals in the national competition which celebrates and promotes Scotch whisky.
The awards cover both taste and business performance and were judged by a highly experienced judging panel consisting of some of the world’s foremost experts in Scotch.
33 companies entered whiskies in the competition which were assessed by a 32-strong judging panel from the UK and mainland Europe. COVID restrictions prevented a judging day event so all judges participated in a series of blind tasting sessions, hosted, and moderated on Zoom by the international sensory management consultancy, Cara Technology. The top three performers will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in each of nine taste categories.
Three distilleries have been selected for the ultimate award of the competition, The Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers. Glasgow Distillery, GlenAllachie Distillery and Glenmorangie Distillery have been selected following a rigorous judging process which combined performance in business categories and the marks from the blind tasting.
Chair of the judging panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, commented;
“We are very pleased to see increasing interest in our 2nd year of The Scottish Whisky Awards, a particularly challenging year for distilleries and events. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the awards team, we have managed to stage a highly credible competition this year which allows us to present the all-important medals to the industry. Congratulations to all our finalists and many thanks to all our judges from around the world for participating.”
The awards are supported for a second year by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers as sponsors of the ultimate prize, The Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year. Graeme Dempster, Account Manager, commented;
“Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers are delighted to sponsor the Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year and we are pleased to see such a strong line up in the competition this year. Congratulations to all the finalists and good luck!”
The winners will be announced at the Scottish Whisky Awards live digital broadcast, a ticketed-only event which takes place on Thursday 19 November 2020 at 630pm. The event will be staged using the latest event technology which creates a digital awards experience in which guests can network on virtual tables, watch live interviews, and celebrate the news of the winners. Tickets for the event are available HERE.
The awards which were created by the PR and Events company KDMedia, are also a fundraising vehicle for The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland.
The Finalists in Full
BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers
Glasgow Distillery, Glasgow Distillery Company
GlenAllachie Distillery, The GlenAllachie Distillers Co.
Ardbeg Distillery, The Glenmorangie Company
Independent Bottler of the Year
Douglas Laing & Co
GreatDrams Ventures
Hannah Whisky Merchants
John Crabbie & Co
North Star Spirits
Product Launch of the Year
Glen Scotia Malts Festival, Loch Lomond Group
Glasgow Distillery 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Triple Distilled Release No.1, Glasgow Distillery Company
Glasgow Distillery 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Peated Release No.1., Glasgow Distillery Company
Excellence in Branding sponsored by Wolffe
The Scalasaig Island Hopper, Colonsay Beverages
Cu Bocan Single Malt, The Tomatin Distillery Co
Eden Mill St. Andrews
Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glasgow Distillery Company
The GlenAllachie Distillers Co.
Isle of Arran Distillers
Malt Riot, Glasgow Distillery Company
Tobermory Distillery, Distell International
Wemyss Vintage Malts
Brand Experience of the Year sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons
Bunnahabhain Distillery, Distell International Limited
Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, John Dewar & Sons
Isle of Raasay Distillery, R&B Distillers Limited
Loch Lomond Whiskies, Loch Lomond Group
Tourism Destination of the Year sponsored by Michael Laird Architects
The Clydeside Distillery, Morrison Glasgow Distillers
Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, John Dewar & Sons
Glen Scotia Distillery, Loch Lomond Group
The GlenAllachie Distillery, The GlenAllachie Distillers Co. Limited
Community Contribution of the Year sponsored by Bairds Malt
Chivas Brothers
Loch Lomond Group
Diageo
Deeside Distillery
Highland Park
Distell International
Excellence in Sustainability
Arbikie Distilling Limited
Diageo
The Tomatin Distillery Co
TASTE CATEGORIES
Single Malt - No Age Statement sponsored by Bruni Erben
2019 Release Single Malt; Eden Mill Distillery
Ardbeg An Oa; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Blaaaack; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Blaaaack Committee Release; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Committee Release 2020; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Corryvreckan; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Supernova; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Uigeadail; Ardbeg Distillery
Arran Barrel Reserve; Lochranza Distillery
Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Auchentoshan Distillery
Bunnahabhain Stireadair Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Chaos; North Star Spirits
Crabbie's Yardhead; John Crabbie & Co.
Cù Bòcan Creation #1; Tomatin Distillery
Deanston Virgin Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Deanston Distillery
Dream to Dram; Kingsbarns Distillery
Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch whisky - Peated Release No.1.; Glasgow Distillery
Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky - The Original; Glasgow Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Classic; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Classic Cabernet Cask Finish; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Classic Peated; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Classic Port Cask Finish; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Scotia Double Cask; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glen Scotia Victoriana; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake’; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie Signet; Glenmorangie Distillery
Highland Park Orkney Rowing Club; Highland Park
Highland Park Scottish Ballet 50; Highland Park
Laphroaig PX (GTR) Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Laphroaig Distillery
Laphroaig Quarter Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Laphroaig Distillery
Laphroaig Select Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Laphroaig Distillery
Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond Distillery
Single Malt Under 12 Year Old sponsored by Muntons
Ardbeg 10 Year Old; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Wee Beastie; Ardbeg Distillery
Arran 10 Year Old; Lochranza Distillery
Benromach 10 Year Old; Benromach Distillery
Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2009 Batch 4; Benromach Distillery
Crabbie 8 Year Old Highland Single Malt; John Crabbie & Co.
Glen Moray Fired Oak 10 Year Old; Glen Moray Distillery
Glenmorangie Original; Glenmorangie Distillery
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Laphroaig Distillery
Ledaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky; Tobermory Distillery
Loch Lomond 10 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
The GlenAllachie Speyside Single Malt Whisky - Wood Finish Batch 2 - 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish; GlenAllachie Distillery
Single Malt 12 Year Old
Aultmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Aultmore Distillery
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Crabbie 12 Year Old Island Single Malt; John Crabbie & Co.
Deanston 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Deanston Distillery
Glenmorangie Lasanta; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Accord; Glenmorangie Distillery
Highland Park Ness of Brodgar's Legacy 12 Year Old; Highland Park
Inchmoan 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Inchmurrin 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Royal Brackla Distillery
The Deveron 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Macduff Distillery
Tobermory 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky; Tobermory Distillery
Tomatin 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Tomatin Distillery
Single Malt 13-16 Year Old
Aberfeldy 16 Year Old, Scotch, Single Malt, Highland; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Year Old, Scotch, Single Malt, Highland; Aberfeldy Distillery
Benromach 15 Year Old; Benromach Distillery
Bowmore 15 Year Old GTR Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bowmore Distillery
Bowmore 15 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bowmore Distillery
Crabbie 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt; John Crabbie & Co
Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Craigellachie Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Heritage 15 Year Old; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Scotia 15 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Elementa; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Tribute; Glenmorangie Distillery
Highland Park Saltire Edition 2; Highland Park
The GlenAllachie Speyside Single Malt 15 Year Old; GlenAllachie Distillery
Single Malt 17-20 Year Old Sponsored by Cask and Still
Ardbeg 19 Year Old 2020 Edition; Ardbeg Distillery
Aultmore 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ; Aultmore Distillery
Bowmore 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bowmore Distillery
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Craigellachie 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Craigellachie Distillery
Deanston 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Deanston Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Heritage 18 Year Old; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Scotia 18 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie 18 Year Old; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie 19 Year Old; Glenmorangie Distillery
Ledaig 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky; Tobermory Distillery
Royal Brackla 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Royal Brackla Distillery
The Deveron 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Macduff Distillery
Tomatin 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Tomatin Distillery
Single Malt 21 Year Old and Over Sponsored by Sanderson Weatherall
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old, Scotch, Single Malt, Highland; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 21 Year Old, Scotch, Single Malt, Highland; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aultmore 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ; Aultmore Distillery
Bowmore 25 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bowmore Distillery
Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Glen Moray Elgin Heritage 21 Year Old; Glen Moray Distillery
Glen Scotia 25 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1995; Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1996; Glenmorangie Distillery
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Royal Brackla Distillery
Blended Malt – Under 12 Year Old
Big Peat; Douglas Laing & Co Ltd
Clydebuilt Coppersmith; Ardgowan Distillery
Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky; Glasgow Distillery
Nectar Grove Batch Strength; Wemyss Vintage Malts
Peat Chimney Batch Strength 002; Wemyss Vintage Malts
Scallywag; Douglas Laing & Co
Spice King Batch Strength 002; Wemyss Vintage Malts
The Hive Batch Strength; Wemyss Vintage Malts
The Scalasaig - Maiden Voyage; Colonsay Beverages
Waterproof; Macduff International
Blended Malt 12 Year Old and Over sponsored by Halewood
GreatDrams Blended Cask Series Batch 03; GreatDrams Ventures
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old; GlenAllachie Distillery
MacNair's Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old; GlenAllachie Distillery
Sirius; North Star Spirits
Velvet Fig Aged 25 Years; Wemyss Vintage Malts Ltd.
Single Cask & Speciality Whisky sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery Rentals
29.269 - It rubs the lotion on its skin; The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
37.127 - Coconut curry down the Douro valley; The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Arbikie Highland Rye 4 Year Old; Arbikie Distillery
Crabbie 30 Year Old Speyside Single Malt; John Crabbie & Co.
Crabbie 40 Year Old Speyside Single Malt; John Crabbie & Co.
Hip Flask Series No. 15; Eden Mill Distillery
Isle of Jura 1992 #1857; Hannah Whisky Merchants
Knockdhu 8 Year Old; GreatDrams Ventures
Lochindaal 2009 Bourbon Barrel Cask #59; Hannah Whisky Merchants
Longmorn; North Star Spirits
Robert Graham's Dancing Stag Selection 2005 Tomintoul; Robert Graham
Tomatin Decades II; The Tomatin Distillery
Tomintoul 2005 with First-Fill Amontillado Sherry Finish #19A; Hannah Whisky Merchants