Winners Announced in 3rd Annual Scottish Whisky Awards
The winners in the national awards programme for Scotch whisky have been announced following a St Andrews day dinner and celebration held in Glasgow.
The 3rd annual Scottish Whisky Awards revealed the winners from its comprehensive competition that included the blind tasting of 200 Scotch whiskies and the assessment of 58 distilleries and whisky producers.
The ultimate award of the night, Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Bruce Stephenson Insurance Brokers, was presented to Glen Scotia Distillery in Campbeltown. Part of the Loch Lomond Group, the distillery won praise for its commitment to the community, excellent product development and high-quality standards achieved in a challenging year. They also collected a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal in two taste categories.
Over 300 people joined in the St Andrews Day dinner and celebration which paired a three course Scottish meal paired with Scotch Whisky supplied by Johnnie Walker, Glen Garioch and Glen Scotia distilleries.
Chair of the Judging Panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, commented,
“Congratulations to all the winners in this year’s Scottish Whisky Awards. We have very much enjoyed reviewing the work of the Scotch whisky industry which has shown real innovation, resilience, and dedicated support for local communities. All of the efforts in judging, tasting, researching, reading, and debating are worth it as we all work together to increase the promotion of Scotch whisky as the number one whisky of choice in the world.”
The event also presented the first ever Dr Jim Swan Award for Services to Scotch Whisky. The award was presented to Sheila Burtles, a sensory expert who was the first ever female scientist to advise the Scotch Whisky industry on flavour. Her most famous achievement is as co-inventor of the first ever Whisky Flavour Wheel, created in 1979. Aged 92, Ms Burtles accepted the award at a private presentation at home with her award presented by Charlie Maclean the renowned whisky expert and judge in the Scottish Whisky Awards. He commented.
“It is with the greatest possible pleasure that I have been asked to present this award. I first met Sheila in 1992 when I was invited to a course which she was giving on sensory skills and without a word of a lie this course changed my life. She really is an unsung hero of the Scotch whisky industry. She deserves immense credit for making the link between chemistry and the language we use to describe flavour and for being the first to display it in a wheel. This idea was taken up very rapidly taken up all over the world. She really is a wonderful person and deserves every recognition.”
Working with Dr Jim Swan, Burtles created the Scotch Whisky Flavour Wheel which was quickly adopted in brewing and in the US by the wine industry. Since then, it has also been developed in many new modern versions over decades by authors, academics, and major whisky brands worldwide.
Receiving the award, Sheila Burtles said,
“This is really unbelievable. I can only thank everybody who remembers me and for this award. I was so fortunate to be able to work with Jim Swan. I was a very lucky girl in the job I did, and I met wonderful people throughout Scotland. I suppose I must admit that I was a wee bit of a pioneer in the whisky industry when I dared to turn up alone among several men. I really feel very lucky, and it has been a splendid journey.”
Among the big winners in the evening were Glenmorangie who won 2 gold award medals for Glenmorangie The Signet and The Accord, their 12 year old Single Malt. North Star Spirits were celebrated for their haul of awards as Independent Bottler of the Year and also for collecting three Gold Medals for their Spica 40 Year Old Blend, Supersonic Mach 4 Blended Malt and for their 11 year old Bunnahabhain Single Malt Single Cask bottling.
The awards were sponsored for a third year by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers. Graeme Dempster, Account Manager, commented;
“Very many congratulations to all the winners in the Scottish Whisky Awards. It has been a hugely rewarding positive experience taking part in the competition this year and we wish all the medallists and winners every success in the months and years ahead.”
The winners in full:
Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year sponsored by Bruce Stevenson
WINNER: Glen Scotia Distillery
FINALISTS:
Ardbeg Distillery
Ardnamurchan Distillery
Glasgow Distillery
Product Launch of the Year sponsored by Saverglass
WINNER: Ardnamurchan Distillery (AD/09.20:01)
FINALISTS:
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
WINNER: North Star Spirits
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
FINALISTS:
Douglas Laing & Co
Hannah Whisky Merchants
Murray McDavid
Na Bràithrean
Robert Graham
Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year sponsored by Michael Laird Architects
WINNER: Ardnamurchan Distillery (AD/09.20:01 Single Malt)
FINALISTS:
Ardgowan Distillery (Ardgowan Clydebuilt & Ardgowan Discovery)
Clynelish Distillery (The Story of Clynelish)
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Rankin & Sons
WINNER: Isle of Raasay Distillery
FINALISTS:
Ardnamurchan Distillery
Alpha Whisky
Badachro Distillery
Wee Spirit
Judges Awards of Merit
Ardnahoe Distillery for Tourism and Community Contribution
Tomatin Distillery for Community Contribution
Kingsbarns Distillery for Tourism
Glenmorangie Distillery for Sustainability
TASTE CATEGORIES
Single Malt No Age Statement sponsored by Berlin Packaging UK
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Glenmorangie Signet, The Glenmorangie Distillery.
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Glen Scotia Double Cask, Glen Scotia Distillery.
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Glasgow 1770 The Original, Glasgow Distillery.
FINALISTS:
Ardnamurchan AD/09.20:01; 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 Triple Distilled; Glasgow Distillery
Glen Scotia Victoriana; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Kingsbarns Balcomie; Kingsbarns Distillery
Lochwood; Robert Graham
X By Glenmorangie; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Single Malt No Age Statement (Peated)
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Glasgow 1770 Peated; Glasgow Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dha Islay; Bunnahabhain Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: CHAOS #2; North Star Spirits
FINALISTS:
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
CHAOS #1; North Star Spirits
CHAOS #3; North Star Spirits
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; Murray McDavid
Single Malt Under 12 Year Old
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Laphroaig 10 Year Old; Laphroaig Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Deveron 10 Year Old; Macduff Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2009 Batch 4; Benromach Distillery
FINALISTS:
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
Chronicle; Chapter 7 Whisky
Glenmorangie Original; The Glenmorangie 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); Murray McDavid
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 Winter UK
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Glenmorangie The Accord 12 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old; Aberfeldy Distillery
Aultmore 12 Year Old; Aultmore Distillery
Crabbie 12 Year Old; John Crabbie Distillery
Deanston 12 Year Old; Deanston Distillery
Glenmorangie Lighthouse; 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 sponsored by Cooper Software
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Glen Scotia 15 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Year Old; Aberfeldy Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Glenmorangie Cognac Cask Finish 13 Year Old; The Glenmorangie Distillery
FINALISTS:
Aberfeldy 16 Year Old; Aberfeldy Distillery
Benromach Aged 15 Years; Benromach Distillery
Bowmore 15 Year Old; Bowmore Distillery
Craigellachie 13 Year Old; Craigellachie Distillery
Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter - Limited Edition; 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
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Glen Garioch 17 Year Old The Renaissance 3rd Chapter; Glen Garioch Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Deanston 18 Year Old; Deanston Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Glen Garioch 1999 Wine Cask Matured; Glen Garioch Distillery
FINALISTS:
Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 3; Ardbeg Distillery
Ardnamurchan Highland Single Malt; Ardnamurchan Distillery
Aultmore 18 Year Old; Aultmore Distillery
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old; Bunnahabhain Distillery
Craigellachie 17 Year Old; Craigellachie 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 sponsored by Sanderson Weatherall
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Royal Brackla Oloroso Palo Cortado & Perdo Ximenezv 21 Year Old; Royal Brackla Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Aultmore 21 Year Old; Aultmore Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old; Bunnahabhain Distillery
FINALISTS:
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
Benromach Aged 21 Years; Benromach Distillery
Glen Scotia 25 Year Old; Glen Scotia Distillery
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1996; The Glenmorangie Distillery
Tobermory 23 Year; Tobermory Distillery
Single Cask 12 Year Old and Under
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old (Series 012); North Star Spirits
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Glen Garioch Hand filled Minnesota 2012 American Trilogy First fill cask 1355; Glen Garioch Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Bruichladdich Lochindaal 10 Year Old (Series 014); North Star Spirits
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
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
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
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Auchentoshan Distillery Cask - 1997 Oloroso; Auchentoshan Distillery
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: The Loch Fyne Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old; The Loch Fyne
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Blair Athol 14 Year Old (Series 014); North Star Spirits
Alpha Two, Croftengea, 13 Year Old, Madeira Cask; Alpha Whisky
Auchentoshan 1998, Aged 22 Years; Chapter 7 Whisky
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
Tobermory 26 Year Old (Series 016); North Star Spirits
Blended Scotch Whisky
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Black Bottle; Distell International
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Black Bottle Double Cask; Distell International
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Clansman Blended Scotch; Loch Lomond Group
FINALISTS:
Black Bottle Island Smoke; Distell International
Loch Lomond Signature Blended Scotch; Loch Lomond Group
The Glenlee; Murray McDavid
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Supersonic Mach 4; North Star Spirits
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Ardgowan Distillery Clydebuilt Series Shipwright; Ardgowan Distillery Company
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Supersonic Mach 2; North Star Spirits
FINALISTS:
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 3; 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
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Artful Dodger Whisky Collective (Burnside) 1989 30 Year Old; Artful Dodger Whisky Collective
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: The Vatting Series - 6yo Peatside (PX + Bourbon Finish); Murray McDavid
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: The Vatting Series - 11yo The Speysiders (Ximenez-Spinola PX Finish); Murray McDavid
FINALISTS:
The Lockdown Lock-in Dram; GreatDrams Ventures
Blended Scotch Whisky – Aged
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Spica; North Star Spirits
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Artful Dodger Whisky Collective 1978 41 Year Old; Artful Dodger Whisky Collective
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Black Bottle 10 Year Old; Distell Internatinal
FINALISTS:
Crafted Blend Series – 11 year old Half n Half (Moor Beer Finish); Murray McDavid
Crafted Blend Series – 12 year old Seumas II; Murray McDavid
Single Grain Scotch Whisky
GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Spearhead Single Grain Scotch Whisky; Loch Lomond Group
SILVER MEDAL AWARD: Loch Lomond Single Grain; Loch Lomond Distillery
BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: Select Grain Series 13yo North British (Murca Tawny Port Finish); Murray McDavid
FINALISTS:
Arbikie Highland Rye 1794; Arbikie Distillery
Loch Lomond Single Grain Peated; Loch Lomond Distillery
Wee Smoky; Wee Spirit
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.