The Scottish Whisky Awards, the national celebration for achievements in the Scotch whisky industry, has unveiled its list of finalists as part of its 5th annual competition.

40 distilleries and 174 Scotch Whiskies have been selected in the competition following judging which included a comprehensive blind tasting event when over 1200 samples of whisky were poured and presented to an expert judging panel.  

With results now processed and independently audited, finalists in 11 taste categories and 6 business categories have now been revealed in the awards, the only one of its kind in Scotland.

Alan Wolstenholme, chair of the Whisky Awards commented;

“It's important to recognise and honour the Scotch Whisky Industry's achievements during the last year. The judges and I had the pleasure of assessing the efforts made by Scottish whisky companies through their determination, product taste and responsibility to their local communities and sustainability efforts.

The Scottish Whisky Awards dinner gives Scottish whisky companies a chance to join together and celebrate all of their successes while promoting Scotland's most significant global product. On behalf of the judging panel, I want to thank all entrants for taking the time to enter this year’s competition.”

The awards are supported for a fifth year by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers as sponsors of the ultimate prize, The Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year.  Two Highland distilleries and one island distillery will compete for the top title won last year by Isle of Raasay Distillery.  The finalists are Arbikie Distillery, The Glenmorangie Distillery and Lagg Distillery.   

Graeme Dempster, Commercial Account Executive for Bruce Stevenson, commented;

“Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, soon to be renamed as Howden, 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 we look forward to celebrating the industry’s accomplishments in November.”

The Professor Jim Swan Award for services to Scotch Whisky, a lifetime achievement award for someone who has served in the industry, will also be presented. The honor, which was established in 2019, aims to recognize the greatly valued qualities of the late Jim Swan as an independent, comprehensive collaborator and adviser to the whisky industry.

The winners will be announced at the event which takes place on St. Andrews Day, Thursday 30th November 2023 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Glasgow Central. 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. 

Tickets for the event are available HERE.

 

The Finalists in Full:

Business Competition

Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year sponsored by Bruce Stevensons Insurance Brokers

Arbikie Distillery, Arbikie Highland Estate

Lagg Distillery, Isle of Arran Distillers

The Glenmorangie Distillery, The Glenmorangie Company

 

Independent Bottler of the Year sponsored by Rankin Bros

Brave New Spirits

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky

Goldfinch Whisky

Hannah Whisky Merchants

Hunter Laing Company

Little Brown Dog Spirits

Murray McDavid

North Star Spirits

 

Tourism Destination of the Year sponsored by Anchorpoint

8 Doors Distillery, Wick

Ardnahoe Distillery, Isle of Islay

Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh

 

Excellence in Branding sponsored by Saverglass

Goldfinch Whisky Merchants - Paloma

Isle of Arran Distillers, Lagg Distillery

Raer Scotch Whisky

The Broody Hen Scotch Whisky

 

Excellence in Sustainability sponsored by Michael Laird Architects

Arbikie Distillery

Nc'nean Distillery

The Glenturret

 

Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Eastern Exhibition & Display

Arrival, Holyrood Distillery

Ryelaw, InchDairnie Distillery

Tri Carragh, Stravaig Spirits

 

Taste Competition

Blended Malt

Bladnoch Distillery – Bonailie

Brave New Spirits - Cask Noir,Mysteries of The Wee Toon, 6 Year Old Campbeltown Blended Malt

Decadent Drinks - 17 Year Old Blended Malt Notable Age Statements

Douglas Laing & Co - Rock Island 10 Year Old

Douglas Laing & Co - The Epicurean 12 Year Old

Elixir Distillers - Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask

Elixir Distillers - Elements of Islay Cask Edit

Elixir Distillers - Elements of Islay Sherry Cask

Hunter Laing & Company - Campbeltown Journey

Hunter Laing & Company - Hebridean Journey

Hunter Laing & Company - Islay Journey

Loch Lomond Group - Nobel Rebel: Orchard Outburst Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Loch Lomond Group - Nobel Rebel: Smoke Symphony Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers - Old Perth Pedro Ximenez

North Star Spirits - Campbeltown 8 Year Old

The Lost Distillery Company - Jericho - Classic Selection

The Lost Distillery Company - Lossit - Classic Selection

The Lost Distillery Company - Stratheden - Archivist's Micro-Batch Selection

 

Blended Scotch sponsored by Close Bros

8 Doors Distillery - Seven Sons Blended Scotch Whisky - 8 Year Old

Bladnoch Distillery - Pure Scot Midnight Peat

Bladnoch Distillery - Pure Scot Signature 106

Brave New Spirits - Lighthouse Blended Scotch Whisky - Lightly Peated

Brave New Spirits - Royal Cabinet 19 Year Old

Cockburns of Leith - Cockburns of Leith Founder's Reserve

CVH Spirits - Black Bottle 10 Year Old

CVH Spirits -Black Bottle Original

Dornoch Distillery Company - TB/BSW

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky - Black Bull 12 Year Old

North Star Spirits - The Fool

North Star Spirits - The Magician

Raer Scotch Whisky - RAER Oloroso Expression Whisky

Raer Scotch Whisky - RAER Pedro Ximenez Expression Whisky

Roslin Distillers - An Gearasdan

Summerhall Distillery - The Broody Hen Blended Scotch Whisky

Woven Whisky - Experience N. 17 // Synchonicity

Woven Whisky - Experience N.13 // Catalyst

Woven Whisky - Experience N.15 // Shindig

Woven Whisky - Experience N.16 // Loom

 

Single Cask 12 and Under sponsored by Scott Pallets

Ardgowan Distillery Company - Inverdarach Editions Wing Woman Reserve 02 Dha

Brave New Spirits - Yellow Edition Ruadh Maor 11 Year Old Single Cask

Goldfinch Whisky Merchants - The Kilnsman's Dram; Caol Ila; Sherry Octave 11 Year Old

GreatDrams Ventures - Craigellachie 10 Year Old

Little Brown Dog Spirits - Little Brown Dog - Benrinnes 2012

North Star Spirits - Bruichladdich 12 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Glen Garioch 8 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Glenfarclas 11 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Linkwood 10 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Williamson 11 Year Old

Roslin Distillers - Tormore 12 Year Old

Speyside Distillers Co - SPEY Spirit of Speyside Festival Bottle 2023 8 Year Old

 

Single Cask 13 and Over

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky - The Single Cask Collection Glentauchers 2008 - 14 Year Old

Goldfinch Whisky Merchant - The Goldfinch Wine Series - German Sweet White Wine

Goldfinch Whisky Merchants - Paloma - Ardmore

Goldfinch Whisky Merchants - The Goldfinch Wine Series - Tawny Port finish

North Star Spirits - Bowmore 26 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Glenburgie 27 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Glentauchers 14 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Mannochmore 14 Year Old

North Star Spirits - Strathmill 15 Year Old

The Single Cask - Tobermory 1994 27 Year Old

Woodrow's of Edinburgh - Mannochmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky

 

Single Malt No Age Statement (Peated)

Angus Dundee Distillers - Tomintoul Cigar Malt

Angus Dundee Distillers - Tomintoul Peated

CVH Spirits - Ledaig Sinclair Series - Rioja Cask Finish

Hunter Laing & Company - Scarabus Batch Strength

Isle of Arran Distillers - LAGG Single Malt - Corriecravie Edition

Isle of Arran Distillers - LAGG Single Malt - Kilmory Edition

Isle of Raasay Distillery - Distillery Special Release

Isle of Raasay Distillery - Tourism Destination of the Year, Manzanilla Cask

Kilchoman Distillery - 100% Islay 13th edition

Loch Lomond Group - Glen Scotia Campbeltown Harbour Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers - Mac-Talla PX Limited Edition

Murray McDavid - Cask Craft Double Finish - Croftengea

Speyside Distillers Co - SPEY Fumare Overture

The Glenmorangie Company - (Product Under Embargo)

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg An Oa

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg BizarreBQ

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg Corryvreckan

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg Heavy Vapours

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg Hypernova

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg Smoketrails

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg Uigedail

 

Single Malt No Age Statement (Unpeated)

Angus Dundee Distillers - Glencadam American Oak Reserve

Angus Dundee Distillers - Glencadam Reserva Andalucia

Angus Dundee Distillers - Tomintoul Seiridh

Bladnoch Distillery - Bladnoch Liora

Bladnoch Distillery - Bladnoch Vinaya

Brave New Spirits - The Highland Shepherd

CVH Spirits - Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair

CVH Spirits - Deanston Virgin Oak

Holyrood Distillery - Arrival

Isle of Arran Distillers - Arran Single Malt - Quarter Cask; The Bothy

Isle of Arran Distillers - Arran Single Malt - Sherry Cask; The Bodega

Loch Lomond Group - Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond Steam & Fire Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Murray McDavid - Cask Craft Bourbon Finish - Auchroisk

Murray McDavid - Cask Craft Madeira Finish - Inchgower

Murray McDavid - Cask Craft Sherry Finish - Tullibardine

Nc'nean Distillery - Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Glenmorangie Company - (Product Under Embargo)

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Signet

The Glenturret - The Glenturret Triple Wood 2023 Release

Tomatin Disillery - Tomatin Legacy

 

Single Malt 12 and Under sponsored by Winter & Company

Angus Dundee Distillers - Old Ballantruan 10 Years Old

Brave New Spirits - Celtic Revival 12 Year Old

Brave New Spirits - Whisky of Voodoo The High Priest

CVH Spirits - Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

CVH Spirits - Deanston 12 Year Old

CVH Spirits - Ledaig 10 Year Old

CVH Spirits - Tobermory 12 Year Old

Hunter Laing & Company - Scarabus 10 Year Old

Isle of Arran Distillers - Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt

John Dewar & Sons - Aberfeldy 12 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 12 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - Aultmore 12 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - Royal Brackla Oloroso 12 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - The Deveron 10 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - The Deveron 12 Year Old  

Loch Lomond Group - Glen Scotia 10 Year Old  

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond 10 Year Old  

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Inchmoan  

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Inchmurrin

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond 12 Year Old  

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers - Càrn Mòr Porter Cask, in collaboration with Wasted Degrees Brewing

Murray McDavid - 9 Year Old Linkwood (Port + Oloroso + PX)

The Benromach Distillery Co. - Benromach Peat Smoke Sherry

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg 5 Year Old Wee Beastie

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg 8 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg Ten Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Palo Cortado

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie The Accord

The Glenturret - The Glenturret 10 Year Old Peat Smoke 2023 Release

The Glenturret - The Glenturret 12 Year Old 2023 Release

The Glenturret - The Glenturret 7 Year Old Peat Smoke

Tomatin Disillery - Tomatin 12 Year Old

 

Single Malt Aged 13-16

Angus Dundee Distillers - Glencadam 15 Year Old

Angus Dundee Distillers Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old

Chapter 7 Whisky - Monologue Glenrothes 14 Year Old

Chapter 7 Whisky - Monologue Secret Orkney 16 Year Old

John Dewar & Sons - Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Year Old

John Dewar & Sons - Craigellachie 13 Year Old  

Loch Lomond Group - Glen Scotia 15 Year Old  

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond 14 Year Old  

Stravaig Spirits - Tri Carragh Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Glen Garioch 14 Year Old

The Benromach Distillery Co. - Benromach 15 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - (Product Under Embargo)

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie The Elementa

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie The Tribute

 

Single Malt Aged 17-20 sponsored by VCL Vintners

Angus Dundee Distillers - Glencadam 18 Year Old

John Dewar & Sons - Craigellachie 17 Year Old Scotch Single Malt Speyside

John Dewar & Sons - Royal Brackla Palo Cortado 18 Year Old  

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond 18 Years Old  

The Glenmorangie Company - (Product Under Embargo)

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie 18 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie 19 Year Old

 

Single Malt Aged 21 and Over sponsored by Sanderson Weatherall

Angus Dundee Distillers - Tomintoul 25 Year Old

John Dewar & Sons - Aberfeldy 21 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 21 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - Craigellachie 23 Year Old  

John Dewar & Sons - Royal Brackla Oloroso - Palo Cortado; Perdo Ximenez 21 Year Old

Roslin Distillers - Allt A'Mhullin (Rosie's Cask) 30 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt

The Glenmorangie Company - Ardbeg 25 Year Old

The Glenmorangie Company - Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1998

 

Single Grain sponsored by InDrinks

Ardgowan Distillery Company - Clydebuilt Riveter

Ardgowan Distillery Company - Discovery Number 5

Brave New Spirits - Ecosse G 12 Year Old

Brave New Spirits - Yellow Edition Single Grain, North British 13 Year Old Single Grain (PX Cask)

Loch Lomond Group - Loch Lomond Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Loch Lomond Group - Spearhead Single Grain Scotch Whisky