The north, north east, Highlands and Islands whisky producers have celebrated picking up gongs at the national awards.
There were many big wins for whisky distilleries in the north, north east, Moray and the Highlands and Islands this week as 12 of the region’s distilleries took home a prize at the 2020 second annual Scottish Whisky Awards on November 19.
Presented virtually by Des Clarke, winners included Ardbeg, Glenmorangie, Tomatin and the Isle of Rasaay Distillery.
More than 125 whiskies progressed to the finals of the national competition, which aims to celebrate and promote Scotch whisky.
A 32-strong judging panel from across the UK and Europe assessed the entries, including some of the world’s biggest Scotch experts. Due to the pandemic, the award’s usual “judging day” was moved online and judges participated in numerous blind taste tests online to help whittle down the winners.
Good luck to all at the @whisky_awards tonight! #whiskyawards20 pic.twitter.com/ndZJ8gbF0j
— Tomatin Whisky (@Tomatin1897) November 19, 2020
The chairman of the judging panel, Professor Alan Wolstenholme, said: “Congratulations to all our winners for their success in this most challenging of years. Winning a Scottish Whisky Award is a significant achievement given the intense competition and rigorous judging.
“This year, we have seen distilleries, suppliers and producers step up to support their local communities when they needed it most. Scotch Whisky continues to demonstrate its strength, resilience, creativity, and community spirit. It is an industry which continues to shine brightly in good times and bad. We in Scotland can all be very proud of this.
“I applaud all of our winners and encourage them to make the most of this recognition by promoting Scotch worldwide as the whisky of choice.”
There were nine taste categories, each of which had a gold, silver and bronze winner, along with seven business categories with one overall winner. The categories and winners from the region are as follows:
Single malt no age statement
- Silver: Ardbeg Blaaaack Committee Release; Ardbeg distillery (Islay)
Single Malt under 12 Year Old
- Gold: Ardbeg 10 year old; Ardbeg Distillery
Single Malt 13-16 Year Old
- Gold: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban; Glenmorangie distillery
- Silver: Highland Park Saltire Edition 2; Highland Park Distillery
Single Malt 17-20 Year Old
- Gold: Tomatin 18 Year Old; Tomatin Distillery
- Silver: Craigellachie 17 Year Old; Craigellachie Distillery
- Bronze: Glenmorangie 19 years old; Glenmorangie Distillery
Single Malt 21 Year Old and Over
- Gold: Bunnahabain 25 year old; Bunnahabain Distillery
The GOLD MEDAL for Single Malt 21 Year Old and Over sponsored by Sanderson Weatherall @S_Weatherall goes to Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky @Bunnahabhain @distellgroup #whiskyawards20 #scotch #whisky #Scotland pic.twitter.com/GyLTkEEg5C
— Scottish Whisky Awards (@whisky_awards) November 19, 2020
- Silver: Royal Brackla 21 Year Old; Royal Brackla Distillery
- Bronze: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1995; Glenmorangie Distillery
Single cask and speciality whisky
- Bronze: Tomatin Decades II; Tomatin Distillery
Brand Experience of the Year
- Isle of Rasaay Distillery
