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