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