SPIRITS BUSINESS AWARDS LIMITED BY COVID-19

 TOP 10 AWARD-WINNING SCOTCH WHISKIES

The global Covid-19 pandemic saw many brands unable to submit products to the original Scotch Whisky Masters competition as planned. The Spirits Business therefore staged a second virtual tasting of Scotch whiskies in September 2020, yielding a large number of Master, Gold and Silver medals across diverse categories.

Single Malt: Highland & Islands-Ultra Premium
Glengoyne 18 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky:

 

Just north of Glasgow, near the edge of the Highlands in the Campsie Fells, lies Dumgoyne Hill. Thanks to the crystal clear burn which carves its way down the hillside, the area became a favoured spot of illicit distillers. At one time, as many as 18 stills were said to be in operation in the vicinity.

One of them was owned by George Connell of Burnfoot Farm who applied for a distilling license in 1833, ten years after the passing of the infamous excise act of 1823. Over the years, Connell’s Burnfoot distillery would eventually come to be known as Glen Guin (valley of the wild geese) later anglicised to Glengoyne.

Despite its relatively southern location, Glengoyne is considered a Highland distillery as it stands a small fraction north of the designated line which separates the region from the Lowlands. This allowed Connell the benefit of the tax breaks offered to highland distillers whilst he could also enjoy access to the markets of Glasgow just 15 miles away.

Today, Glengoyne is owned by Ian MacLeod distillers. After increasing the sites production capacity, the current owners have seen the brand grow to become a well established fixture in the single malt market with a reputation for quality and consistency. The core range begins with a standard 10 year old and culminates in an exquisite 25 year old, with the proportion of sherry matured spirit in the blend generally increasing in older variants.

Glengoyne Distillery is known to have the slowest distillation in Scotland. Introduced in 2012, the Glengoyne 18 Year Old was revamped to replace the Glengoyne 17 Year Old. From the Highlands of Scotland, this single malt is matured in a mix of refill sherry casks and a generous portion of first-fill sherry casks. The packaging shows off the stunning golden tone and inviting glow imparted by the lengthy maturation. This is a wonderfully warming whisky for sure and an essential for any sherried whisky fan.

Sir Edwards 12 Year Old Blended Scotch

Distilled and matured in Scotland then bottled by Bardinet (who owns the brand) in Bordeaux, France, Sir Edward's 12 years old 43% ABV is a rare blend with a very high malt content, according to traditional Scottish distilling methods. It is aged for a minimum of 12 years in oak casks in Scottish cellars. It is a Gold medal - Scotch Whisky Masters 2011 and San Francisco Spirits Competition 2012 winner.

Only the finest grain and malt whiskies go into Sir Edward’s – each one meticulously selected by master craftsmen. Blended to achieve the perfect marriage of flavours then aged in oak barrels, the resulting spirit is wonderfully rich and full-flavoured with subtle notes of wood and malt. Unmistakably Scottish, unashamedly proud and unquestionably great value, Sir Edward’s offers a true taste of Scotland.

After a woody nose with a touch of vanilla, this top quality product reveals a grainy impression with hints of prune. The long and subtle finish reveals hints of toast, toffee and candied sugar. To be enjoyed neat or "on-the-rocks".

Glen Marnoch 12 Years Old Speyside Single Malt

One of the most successful players in the supermarket genre is German chain Aldi when it comes to quality and affordability. Their range is known by the name Glen Marnoch and merely serves as a white label name to cover some of Scotland's major whisky regions. Their standard single malt Speyside whisky priced under £20 (US$25), won a Master medal. It was praised for its dominant Speyside Single Malt flavours.

There’s a great deal of interest around whisky in general whether it’s in the media or talking with strangers in pubs. You can also tell from the most popular articles on Whisky Rover that tend to be these supermarket releases including the odd limited edition from Aldi such as the Glen Marnoch Highland Single Malt Rum Cask Finish

There are Speyside, Highland and Islay variants of Glen Marnoch, meaning that the whisky will be sourced from more than one distillery. Its flavours suggest that Glen Moray, Dalmore and/or GlenDronach are in use. The fact that these whiskies were tasted blind is a positive. Nowadays, it’s all too easy to be swayed by a fancy label, famous name or marketing spin when dealing with a whisky. This award takes everythingback to its essence, the whisky. 

The fact that this Glen Marnoch matched and bettered some more notable whiskies during the judging does not come as a surprise. The quality of whisky produced across Scotland nowadays is of a consistent standard and blenders have an array of stock when producing a release. It’s a No Age Statement release which fits in with the price point and lack of information generally about the origins. Whenever faced with a single malt bottling, it comes down to the price and the whisky experience. Far too many nowadays are overpriced and deliver very little except being an official bottling from a distillery and some fancy marketing spiel about a loch monster or an ancient witch.

Kingsbarns Dream to Dram

Kingsbarns Distillery was officially opened on St Andrews Day 2014 and has been subsequently been awarded a 4 star visitor attraction award by Visit Scotland. The founder of the distillery is Douglas Clement, a former golf caddie who was inspired to open a distillery near the famous golf courses in the St Andrews and Kingsbarns area.

A Visitor Centre was simultaneously opened by the Wemyss family owners and Clement. Distilling started in January 2015, with the first cask filled in March that year. Scotch whisky has to mature for at least 3 years before it can be bottled, so the Kingsbarns Distillery shop is stocked with the range from the family owner’s other whisky interest, the award-winning independent bottler, Wemyss Malts.

Wemyss Malts’ approach to their malt whisky range is to name the whiskies after each whisky’s natural flavour and aromas to allow whisky drinkers to better imagine each whisky’s taste.

Kingsbarns Dream to Dram scooped a Master in a tasting of premium Lowlands single malt whisky. Kingsbarns’ inaugural whisky was distilled exclusively from barley grown in east Fife. The distillery’s whisky came of age in March 2018. Dream to Dram has been “primarily” aged in first-fill Bourbon casks sourced from Heaven Hill Distillery, while 10% of the liquid has been matured in shaved, toasted and re-charred wine casks.

The Wemyss family owners are from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.

The  Wemyss family also own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including blended malt whiskies; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors, all of which are available for tasting and sale at The Kingsbarns Distillery.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2009 Batch 4

In 2020, the Benromach family distillery is unveiling its new identity. Benromach single malts are made using a manual method based on the know-how of the master distillers, and are aged exclusively in hand-filled, individually weighed, stencilled by hand casks and stowed in traditional dunnage warehouses, because at Benromach they believe making whisky by hand guarantees genuine character. Crowned with a red cap symbolising the distillery's iconic chimney, and adorned with a new logo inspired by a panel formerly situated on the distillery's pagoda roof, the Benromach bottles salute the history and authenticity of this distillery, which was founded in 1898. This new cask-strength 10-year-old bottling was distilled in 2009. A real little aromatic bomb, it was aged exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry barrels, 29 of them, to be specific, and bottled at 57.2% ABV, from which it draws its powerful notes of spices, candied black and red fruits, and chocolate. Like all Benromach expressions, it has a slightly smoky character of great refinement. A single malt to celebrate the emergence of the new Benromach identity, available in a limited edition.

The Benromach Distillery Company secured a number of medals during the competition including a Master for its Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2009 Batch 4.

Chivas Regal 18 Blue Signature 

Chivas Brothers, from Pernod Ricard, launched Chivas 18 Blue Signature, a unique Scotch whisky crafted in Scotland in 2018 as an exclusive tribute to Vietnam. 

The rich night blue colour of the Chivas 18 Blue Signature bottle represents hope, success, and growth in business. Chivas is one of the oldest Scottish Highland blended whiskies, crafted in the oldest Highlands distillery, Strathisla. Chivas blends are reputed for their premium aged mix while specially formulated with a higher whisky ratio, i.e. with a higher than average proportion of malts. As a result of being subjected to an extended ageing period in new first and second premium oak casks, the Chivas 18 Blue Signature has a rich, multi-layered flavour. This dedication to old-school distilling methods and the experience to produce only the best Scotch whiskies is evident every time you crack open a bottle. 

Chivas Regal made its debut in New York City in 1909 as a 25 YO premium deluxe whisky, the oldest crafted blend of the era. From there, Chivas Regal Whisky erupted into a global phenomenon, and today, over 4.4 million cases go through the hands of Scotch whisky connoisseurs. Chivas Regal 18 Blue Signature is a uniquely rich & multi-layered blend created by Colin Scott, one of the world’s most experienced Master Blenders. This highly awarded blend is produced using various malt and grain whiskies from distilleries all over Scotland, including its home, Strathisla distillery with its classic Speyside malt. Chivas 18 Blue Signature rewards the senses with 85 unique flavour notes in every drop.

Highland Park Viking Pride Travel Edition

The Travel Edition of Highland Park's 18 Year Old Viking Pride single malt is created from batches of 120 specially selected casks, and is bottled at the slightly higher strength of 46% ABV.

In their 18 Year Old Viking Pride Travel Edition, Highland Park celebrates doing things their own way (the hard way), and their commitment to the craft. Indeed, one crucial aspect of their craft is the marrying process.

The marrying process gives their whisky valuable time to harmonise in the cask before being bottled. A deliberately slow and unhurried stage, long since abandoned by many distilleries, cask harmonisation is what helps them achieve the intense balance that is their hallmark. By bottling their 18 Year Old at its marrying strength of 46% ABV, and using a high proportion of first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, the whisky’s delicious hints of heather honey, chocolate and cherries are intensified.

Viking Harmony is a rugged balance. It’s the painstaking result of hard work, sacrifice, and fierce dedication. It’s applying tough love and single-minded dedication to create distinctive single malts.

It’s setting up a distillery at the end of the world, knowing that harsh conditions create harmonious whiskies. It’s hand-turning malt, day in, day out, knowing that the hard way is the best way. And it’s making casks the same way our Viking ancestors made longboats, knowing that tradition still defies convention. Viking Harmony is what is dig out of a 4,000-year-old peat moor, 4 metres down, one shovel at a time… with the occasional use of a mechanical digger when more strength is required.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy. If you can appreciate that, then pour yourself a Highland Park, and raise your glass to what’s in it.

Scottish Leader Signature Blended Scotch Whisky

Distell’s Scottish Leader Signature was given a Gold in the Blended – Premium flight for having notes of “dried fruit and lots of cereal” with more of an Island malt influence than the original Scottish Leader, resulting in a smokier blend.

The brand has been revitalised with a new look and an enhanced recipe with a pronounced West Coast island single malt content. Modern, tall and proud, the bottle has clean-edged glass chamfers skilfully designed to show case the rich gold colours of the new liquid. ­The strength of the brand is also represented in the new soaring eagle brand icon, an inherently Scottish symbol, which conveys success, vision and power – the characteristics of a great leader and the essence of the Scottish Leader brand.

The new, sophisticated Scottish Leader Signature has a more pronounced island malt influence than the Original, with a rich, smoky profile. The new range of Scottish Leader whiskies – enhanced Original and new Signature – are created to encourage people to share and celebrate occasions together, recognising individual and group successes across all aspects of our lives, large and small.

Scottish Leader Signature is an extra special whisky, combining the finest, hand-selected malt and grain whiskies. Inspired by centuries of tradition, the result is a distinctively rich Scotch whisky notes of honey and our signature hint of sweet Hebridean smokiness. Ideal for those seeking a premium blended Scotch that is a little bit different. Scottish Leader is an award winning, internationally respected, blended whisky.

Taisteal Explorer’s Single Grain Whiskies Bags Gold

Hong-Kong-based Milestone Beverages has added a blended whisky and an outstanding single grain to its Taisteal Explorer’s Scotch Series.

Milestone Beverages released its first product, a single malt Scotch, in 2018, which was praised for being affordable, versatile and delivering exceptional quality. The brand’s name is taken from the Gaelic word for ‘journey’. The Taisteal range comprises three different whisky styles: single malt Explorer’s Malt, single grain Explorer’s Grain and blended Scotch Explorer’s Blend.

The single malt is produced at Loch Lomond, one of only four distilleries in Scotland with an on-site cooperage. The distillery is famed for its unique pot stills, which have special distillation trays in the neck, permitting more contact with the cooling alcohol vapour, resulting in different flavour nuances.

The two new whiskies, Explorer’s Grain and Explorer’s Blend, are produced by Angus Dundee. The producer’s signature style is achieved due to the lye pipes, which run upwards at an angle of 15 degrees. Combined with master blending techniques, this results in an “elegant, aromatic, nutty and fruity spirit”.

Explorer’s Malt is said to deliver “mature woodiness” with a “mellow velvety smokiness” and “earthy hints of peat”. Meanwhile, Explorer’s Grain is described as having flavours of toffee and floral notes that lead to a “delicate, silky and fruity palate”. Completing the trio is Explorer’s Blend, which is said to have aromas of chocolate and vanilla fudge, combined with baked spices to create a “rich, balanced and nutty palate”. Each whisky has been bottled at 40% ABV and is available to purchase across Asia, including Hong Kong, and Europe.

The Gauldrons

Douglas Laing & Co’s Campbeltown NAS Blended Malt ‘The Gauldrons’ picked up a Gold medal. The Gauldrons, which represents the sixth region in Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts range, takes its name from the “dark sandy coves” in Campbeltown.

After serving with the Royal Air Force throughout WWII, Fred Douglas Laing (FDL) worked with an American friend largely to develop the King of Scots brand to sell throughout Europe and the USA. Soon, FDL took sole ownership of the business and set up preferred filling programs with Distilleries throughout Scotland. Many of these deals remain in place today, some based on a handshake over 70 years on.

Born in 1950, Fred Jr. joined Whyte and MacKay Distillers on a classic, quaintly old-fashioned apprenticeship. Working across all departments, Fred uncovered the secrets of blending and bottling, before joining his father in 1972. In 2015, Fred Jr. brought out the monstrously maritime Malt, Rock Island. This new arrival in turn officially formed the family of Remarkable Regional Malts.

2017 was a landmark year; Douglas Laing and Co. unveiled plans to build a new Whisky Distillery on the banks of the River Clyde. The final Remarkable Regional Malts family member was also unveiled – The Gauldrons from Campbeltown. Occupying a remote location, even by Campbeltown’s standards, on the extreme west coast of Scotland, The Gauldrons literally means “bay of storms”. But, it’s not just the dark storm clouds that set the pulse racing and the hair on the back of your neck stand on end…it’s the beachy 46.2% ABV The Gauldrons.