The World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2026 ceremony was held on 4 December 2025. The event celebrated the whiskies, people, and places of Scotland’s whisky industry, and their defining contributions to the global whisky landscape.
The evening saw the announcement of the taste category winners in the World Whiskies Awards Scotland round and the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2026.
A notable moment of the evening included the induction of two industry legends into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognises individuals whose longstanding dedication and expertise have shaped the modern whisky world.
Joining the Hall of Fame for 2026 are Susan Morrison, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Experience, and Gordon Motion, former master whisky maker for Edrington.
Inductee 104: Susan Morrison, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Experience
Susan Morrison is chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Experience, leading one of Scotland’s most recognised visitor attractions and a cornerstone of Scotch whisky tourism. With over 35 years in the industry, Morrison has guided the organisation through periods of major transformation, investment, and change while maintaining its commitment to quality, people, and inclusive multi-lingual storytelling.
Beginning her career at the Scotch Whisky Experience (then Heritage Centre) the day the doors opened in 1988, Morrison worked across operations, retail, and management, developing whisky-tasting experiences, and the Scotch Whisky Training School, before progressing to director and ultimately chief executive in 2018.
Morrison has contributed extensively to Scotland’s wider tourism and whisky sectors through roles including chair of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions and membership of the Edinburgh Napier University Industry Advisory Board. She co-founded the Distillery Visitor Centre Manager forum and the Castlehill Business Partnership, both of which promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across two of Scotland’s most respected industries.
A graduate of languages from the University of Strathclyde, Morrison’s passion for welcoming international visitors has not diminished over the decades. Her enthusiasm to ensure that every new team member and every visitor receives the warmest of welcomes into the world of Scotch whisky continues to inspire a new generation of whisky lovers and professionals.
Inductee 105: Gordon Motion, former master whisky maker for Edrington
Over a remarkable 27-year career at Edrington, Gordon Motion helped shape the soul of some of Scotland’s most revered single malts. His journey into whisky was anything but conventional. Beginning with a computer science degree, it was a distillery tour that sparked a lifelong passion, leading him to Heriot-Watt University for a postgraduate diploma in malting, brewing, and distilling.
Before whisky, Motion honed his craft in breweries and maltings, including Bushy’s on the Isle of Man, where he brewed beer for the legendary TT races. In 1998, he joined Edrington as assistant to master blender John Ramsay, eventually stepping into the role himself in 2008. As master blender, he oversaw icons like the Famous Grouse, the Macallan, and the Glenrothes.
In 2018, his focus turned solely to Highland Park, where his influence became indelible. He expanded the core range to include 21-, 30-, and 40-year-old expressions, created the bold Cask Strength series, hand-selected more than 400 exceptional single casks, and unveiled the distillery’s oldest release to date — a majestic 56-year-old single malt.
Motion retired in July 2025, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and integrity.
