The World Whiskies Awards has revealed the winners in its Scotland round, marking the launch of the 2026 awards season. The winners were announced at the Signet Library in Edinburgh on 4 December 2025, at a ceremony which gathered leading members of Scotland’s whisky industry.
Guests were welcomed by Whisky Magazine founder Damian Riley-Smith and editor Bradley Weir. The duo reflected on how Scotland’s combined whisky legacy and craftsmanship continue to grow and define the worldwide whisky landscape.
During the event, whiskies were awarded in taste categories, including single malts, blended, and grain. The ceremony also saw the announcement of the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2026. New faces named Icons this year included Glanfarclas’ Calum Fraser as Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year and Kirsty Wright of Whyte & Mackay for Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year. Click here for the full list of Icons of Whisky Scotland 2026.
Winners in the World Whiskies Awards Scotland and Icons of Whisky Scotland will now compete against category winners from France, Ireland, Canada, Japan, America, and the Rest of World regions. The global winners — who will be named World’s Best — will be announced in March 2026.
During the evening, guests celebrated the induction of two new entrants to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, which recognises individuals whose lifelong dedication and expertise have shaped the modern whisky world. Susan Morrison, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Experience, and Gordon Motion, former master whisky maker for Edrington, became the newest members to join the Hall of Fame. Read the full article here.
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World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2026 — Category Winners
Blended
No Age Statement
Turntable, Bittersweet Symphony
More info: Turntable Spirits
12 Years & Under
Ballantine’s, 10 Years Old
More info: Ballantine's
13 to 20 Years
Dewar’s, 18 Years Old
More info: Dewar's
21 Years & Over
Ballantine’s, 23 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange
Blended Limited Release
No Age Statement
Johnnie Walker, Autumn/Winter Blend
Buy: Johnnie Walker Princes Street exclusive
13 to 20 Years
Dewar’s, 19 Years Old
More info: Dewar's
21 Years & Over
Dewar’s, Double Double 21 Years Old Magma Toast Level 3 Finished in French Oak Casks
More info: Dewar's
Blended Malt
No Age Statement
Noble Rebel, Smoke Symphony
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
MacNair’s House of Boutique Spirits, Lum Reek 12 Years Old
Buy: Master of Malt
21 Years & Over
The Octave, The Huntly
Buy: Master of Malt
Flavoured Whisky
Grain
No Age Statement
Spearhead, Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Buy: Master of Malt
21 Years & Over
Thompson Bros, An Edinburgh Dram — North British Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Buy: The Whisky Exchange
New Make & Young Spirit
Rye
No Age Statement
InchDairnie Distillery, RyeLaw Scottish Rye Whisky Vintage 2017
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
Single Cask Single Grain
13 to 20 Years
Cask Masters, North British 13 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
21 Years & Over
The Red Cask Company, Girvan 1995 #366056 First Fill PX HHD
More info: The Red Cask
Single Cask Single Malt
Scotch Highlands
No Age Statement
Stalla Dhu, C Gars Malt
More info: Stalla Dhu
12 Years & Under
WhiskyHeroes, The Untamed Grace
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
DS Tayman, Summer Edition
More info: DS Tayman
21 Years & Over
The Whisky Firm, Ben Nevis
More info: The Whisky Firm
Scotch Islay
13 to 20 Years
Tri Carragh, Lochindaal 16 Years Old
More info: Tri Carragh
21 Years & Over
Malts of Scotland, Bowmore 1999 MoS25028 for Taiwan
More info: Malts of Scotland
Scotch Lowlands
No Age Statement
Annandale, 2018 Man O’Words Double Oaked Ex-Bourbon Cask 504
More info: Annandale
21 Years & Over
The Whisky Firm, Burnside
More info: The Whisky Firm
Scotch Speyside
12 Years & Under
Stalla Dhu, Craigellachie 12 Years Old Rye & Ruby
More info: Stalla Dhu
13 to 20 Years
Stalla Dhu, Strathmill 14 Years Old Single Cask
More info: Stalla Dhu
21 Years & Over
Malts of Scotland, Tormore 1992 Rare Casks Mos24021
More info: Malts of Scotland
Single Malt
Scotch Campbeltown
13 to 20 Years
Glen Scotia, 15 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
Scotch Highlands
No Age Statement
Loch Lomond, Steam and Fire
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
anCnoc, 10 Years Old Peated
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
Loch Lomond, Waypoint — Falls of Falloch
More info: Loch Lomond Whiskies
21 Years & Over
Aberfeldy, 21 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange
Scotch Islands (Non-Islay)
No Age Statement
Isle of Raasay Distillery, Cask Strength
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
Jura, 12 Years Old
Buy: Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
Jura, 14 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
21 Years & Over
Scapa, 21 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
Scotch Islay
No Age Statement
Smokehead, Tequila Cask Terminado
Buy: Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
Ardbeg, Wee Beastie
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
Ardbeg, Anthology The Unicorn
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
21 Years & Over
Bowmore, 21 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
Scotch Lowlands
No Age Statement
Glasgow 1770, Peated
Buy: Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
InchDairnie Distillery, KinGlassie Double Matured Fife Aged 8 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
Bladnoch, 13 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange
Scotch Speyside
No Age Statement
The Glenlivet, Founder’s Reserve
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
The Glenallachie, The Sinteis Series Part II: 2015 Scottish Virgin Oak & Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured
Buy: Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
The Glenallachie, Masters of Wood: 17 Years Old Mizunara Virgin Oak & Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
21 Years & Over
Glenfarclas, 25 Years Old
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
Small Batch Single Malt
Scotch Highlands
No Age Statement
Nc’nean Distillery, Quiet Rebels: Simon
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
13 to 20 Years
Blair Athol, 20 Years Old Limited Edition
More info: Malts.com
Scotch Islay
13 to 20 Years
Caol Ila, 18 Years Old Jazz Festival Edition The Guitarist
More info: Malts.com
Scotch Lowlands
12 Years & Under
Glasgow 1770, Ruby Port Cask Finish
More info: Glasgow Distillery
Scotch Speyside
No Age Statement
Spey, Royal Choice
Buy: The Whisky Exchange | Master of Malt
12 Years & Under
Glen Moray, Warehouse 1 Peated Tequila Cask
