The finalists in the national celebration of Scotch whisky have been announced in the celebrated awards programme for the whisky business in Scotland.
The Scottish Whisky Awards has revealed that 53 companies and 167 Scotch whisky products have progressed to the finals. 42 judges have completed their assessments of over 200 Scotch whisky products and written assessments from over 30 companies involved in the production of Scotch.
Over 200 people are expected to join to celebrate the winners on St Andrews Day at a black-tie awards dinner which will also be broadcast live to ticket holders anywhere in the world.
Chair of the Judging Panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, commented;
““It’s becoming ever clearer now as we progress towards the end of this year, that the achievements of the Scotch whisky industry during the past year must not go un-noticed or unrewarded.
“We have had the privilege of reviewing the work that Scotch whisky businesses undertook throughout the pandemic. Their innovation, their resilience, and their support for their communities.
“Our Scottish Whisky Awards dinner is an opportunity for Scotch whisky businesses to come together and recognise their many achievements as they advance the cause of Scotland’s most important global product.”
The event will also announce the first ever recipient of the Professor Jim Swan Award for Services to Scotch Whisky. The award was created in 2019 with the support of the Swan family and seeks to highlight an individual in the industry who shares the much-admired character of the late Jim Swan as an independent, inclusive collaborator. A tribute to Jim Swan can be watched here.
The finalists are:
Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year sponsored by Bruce Stevenson
Ardbeg Distillery
Ardnamurchan Distillery
Glasgow Distillery
Glen Scotia Distillery
Product Launch of the Year sponsored by Saverglass
Ardnamurchan Distillery (AD/09.20:01)
Arbikie Distillery (Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye)
Badachro Distillery (Badachro Single Malt)
Distell International (Black Bottle the Alchemy Series)
Eden Mill St. Andrews (Hip Flask Series 16 & 17 Single Malt)
North Star Spirits (Single Cask 5 year old Glasgow Distillery Oloroso hogshead)
Wemyss Malts (Untold Riches)
Independent Bottler of the Year
Douglas Laing & Co
Hannah Whisky Merchants
Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
Murray McDavid
Na Bràithrean
North Star Spirits
Robert Graham
Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year sponsored by Michael Laird Architects
Ardnamurchan Distillery (AD/09.20:01)
Ardgowan Distillery (Ardgowan Clydebuilt & Ardgowan Discovery)
Clynelish Distillery (The Story of Clynelish)
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Rankin & Sons
Ardnamurchan Distillery
Alpha Whisky
Badachro Distillery
Isle of Raasay Distillery
Wee Spirit
Judges Awards of Merit
Community Contribution
Sustainability Award
Tourism Destination
The Taste Categories
Single Malt No Age Statement sponsored by Berlin Packaging UK
Ardnamurchan AD/04.21:03 ; Ardnamurchan Distillery
Auchentoshan American Oak; Auchentoshan Distillery
Auchentoshan Sauvignon Blanc Finish; Auchentoshan Distillery
Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Deanston Dragons Milk Stout Cask Finish; Deanston Distillery
Deanston Kentucky Cask; Deanston Distillery
Deanston Virgin Oak; Deanston Distillery
Eden Mill 2020 Release: Eden Mill St Andrews
Glasgow 1770 The Original; Glasgow Distillery
Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled; Glasgow Distillery
Glen Scotia Double Cask ; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glen Scotia Victoriana; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie Signet; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Kingsbarns Balcomie; Kingsbarns Distillery
Lochwood; Robert Graham
X By Glenmorangie; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Single Malt No Age Statement (Peated) sponsored by In-Drinks
Ardbeg An Oa; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Corryvreckan; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Scorch 2021 Committee Edition; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Scorch 2021 Main Release; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Uigeadail; Ardbeg Distillery
Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dha Islay; Bunnahabhain Distillery
CHAOS #1; North Star Spirits
CHAOS #2; North Star Spirits
CHAOS #3; North Star Spirits
Glasgow 1770 Peated; Glasgow Distillery
Glen Scotia Campbeltown Harbour; Glen Scotia Distillery
Isle of Raasay Hebridean Single Malt; Isle of Raasay Distillery
Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask Finish; Tobermory Distillery
Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Distillery
Mac-Talla Mara; Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
Mac-Talla Terra; Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
Scarabus; Hunter Laing & Company
Smoky Scot; ACEO
Single Malt Under 12 Year Old sponsored by Winter UK
Ardbeg 10 Year Old; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg 8 Year Old; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardbeg Wee Beastie; Ardbeg Distillery
Benchmark Series 8 Year Old Linkwood (Koval Bourbon Finish); Murray McDavid
Benromach Aged 10 Years; Benromach Distillery
Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2009 Batch 4; Benromach Distillery
Chronicle; Chapter 7 Whisky
Deveron 10 Year Old; Macduff Distillery
Glenmorangie Original; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Laphroaig 10 Year Old; Laphroaig Distillery
Ledaig 10 Year Old ; Tobermory Distillery
Loch Lomond 10 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Mystery Malt Series 6 Year Old Safe Haven (Ximnez- Spenola PX Finish); Murray McDavid
Parkmore Selection 7 Year Old Auchroisk (Madeira Finish); ACEO
Scarabus 10 Year Old; Hunter Laing & Company
Smokin Stag - Batch 1; Robert Graham
South Star 10 Year Old Speyside Mannochmore; North Star Spirits
South Star Highland Blair Athol 10 Year Old; North Star Spirits
South star Islay 8 Caol Ila; North Star Spirits
Single Malt 12 Year Old sponsored by Cooper Software
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aultmore 12 Year Old; Aultmore Distillery
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Crabbie 12 Year Old; John Crabbie Distillery
Deanston 12 Year Old; Deanston Distillery
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie Lighthouse; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Accord 12 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Loch Lomond 12 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Inchmoan; Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Inchmurrin; Loch Lomond Distillery
Benchmark 12 Year Old Glenallachie (Cognac Finish); Murray McDavid
Royal Brackla Oloroso 12 Year Old; Royal Brackla Distillery
The Deveron 12 Year Old; Deveron Distillery
Tobermory 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Tobermory Distillery
Single Malt 13 - 16 Year Old
Aberfeldy 16 Year Old; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Year Old; Aberfeldy Distillery
Benromach Aged 15 Years; Benromach Distillery
Bowmore 15 Year Old; Bowmore Distillery
Craigellachie 13 Year Old; Craigellachie Distillery
Glen Scotia 15 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter - Limited Edition; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie Cognac Cask Finish 13 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate 15 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Elementa 14 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie The Tribute 16 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Loch Lomond 14 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Single Malt 17 - 20 Year Old sponsored by Sanderson Weatherall
Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 3; Ardbeg Distillery
Aultmore 18 Year Old; Aultmore Distillery
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Craigellachie 17 Year Old; Craigellachie Distillery
Deanston 18 Year Old; Deanston Distillery
Glen Garioch 17 Year Old The Renaissance 3rd Chapter; Glen Garioch Distillery
Glen Garioch 1999 Wine Cask Matured; Glen Garioch Distillery
Glen Scotia 18 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie 18 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Glenmorangie 19 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Ledaig 18 Year Old; Tobermory Distillery
Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond Distillery
Royal Brackla Palo Cortado 18 Year Old; Royal Brackla Distillery
Single Malt Over 21 Year Old
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Scotch Single Malt Highland; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 21 Year Old Scotch Single Malt Highland; Aberfeldy Distillery
Ardbeg 25 Year Old; Ardbeg Distillery
Aultmore 21 Year Old; Aultmore Distillery
Benromach Aged 21 Years; Benromach Distillery
Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Glen Scotia 25 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1996; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Royal Brackla Oloroso Palo Cortado & Pedro Ximenezv 21 Year Old; Royal Brackla Distillery
Tobermory 23 Year; Tobermory Distillery
Single Cask 12 Year Old and Under
Alpha One, Royal Brackla, 12 Year Old, Oloroso Sherry Cask, Alpha Whisky
Ardnamurchan 5 Year Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Benrinnes 9 Year Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Bruichladdich Lochindaal 10 Year Old (Series 014); North Star Spirits
Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old (Series 012); North Star Spirits
Caol Ila 8 Year Old (Series 014); North Star Spirits
Eden Mill Hip Flask Series Number 16; Eden Mill St. Andrews
Eden Mill Hip Flask Series Number 17; Eden Mill St. Andrews
Glen Garioch Hand filled Minnesota 2012 American Trilogy First fill cask 1355; Glen Garioch Distillery
Isle of Raasay Single Malt Peated Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Single Cask Release; Isle of Raasay Distillery
Orkney 12 Year Old (Series 015); North Star Spirits
Single Cask 13 Year Old and Over
Alpha Two, Croftengea, 13 Year Old, Madeira Cask, Alpha Whisky
Auchentoshan 13 Year Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Auchentoshan 1998, Aged 22 Years; Chapter 7 Whisky
Auchentoshan Distillery Cask - 1997 Oloroso; Auchentoshan Distillery
Blair Athol 14 Year Old (Series 014); North Star Spirits
Dalwhinnie 13 Years Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Glen Moray 14 Year Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Linkwood; North Star Spirits
Loch Lomond Inchfad 14 Years Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
The Loch Fyne Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old; The Loch Fyne
Tobermory 26 Year Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Blended Scotch Whisky
Black Bottle; Distell International
Black Bottle Double Cask; Distell International
Black Bottle Island Smoke; Distell International
Clansman Blended Scotch; Loch Lomond Group
Loch Lomond Signature Blended Scotch; Loch Lomond Group
The Glenlee; ACEO
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Ardgowan Distillery Clydebuilt Series Shipwright; Ardgowan Distillery Company
Big Peat; Douglas Laing & Co
Malt Riot; Glasgow Distillery Company
Naked Malt; Beam Suntory
Old Perth Cask Strength; Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
Old Perth Original; Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
Peat Chimney; Wemyss Malts
Scallywag; Douglas Laing & Co
Spice King; Wemyss Malts
Supersonic Mach 2; North Star Spirits
Supersonic Mach 3; North Star Spirits
Supersonic Mach 4; North Star Spirits
The Hive; Wemyss Malts
The Living Cask Batch 10; The Loch Fyne
The Scalasaig; Colonsay Beverages
Timorous Beastie; Douglas Laing & Co
Velvet Fig; Wemyss Malts
WaterProof; MacDuff International
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – Aged
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective (Burnside) 1989 30 Year Old; Artful Dodger Whisky Collective
The Lockdown Lock-in Dram; GreatDrams Ventures
The Vatting Series - 11yo The Speysiders (Ximenez-Spinola PX Finish); Murray McDavid
The Vatting Series - 6yo Peatside (PX + Bourbon Finish); Murray McDavid
Blended Scotch Whisky – Aged
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective 1978 41 Year Old; Artful Dodger Whisky Collective
Black Bottle 10 Year Old; Distell Internatinal
Crafted Blend Series – 11 year old Half n Half (Moor Beer Finish); Murray McDavid
Crafted Blend Series – 12 year old Seumas II; Murray McDavid
Spica; North Star Spirits
Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Arbikie Highland Rye 1794; Arbikie Distillery
Loch Lomond Single Grain; Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond Single Grain Peated; Loch Lomond Distillery
Select Grain Series 13yo North British (Murca Tawny Port Finish); Murray McDavid
Spearhead Single Grain Scotch Whisky; Loch Lomond Group
Wee Smoky; Wee Spirit
The Judges Award of Merit
Three merit awards will be presented on the evening.
Tables at the Scottish Whisky Awards St Andrews Day Dinner can be purchased here. Tables of ten cost £1550.00 + VAT and include entertainment, a three-course gourmet meal, paired with Scotch whisky and including wine. Tickets to watch the digital broadcast from anywhere in the world can also be purchased and include a place in a digital awards room enabled by video calls, group messages and live chat functions. The event will be hosted once again by comedian and broadcaster, Des Clarke.
The awards, 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.