SCOTCH WHISKY LOSES DECADE OF GROWTH IN 2020 TO COVID AND US TARIFFS

SWA FACTS AND FIGURES OF 2020: ANNUS HORRIBLIS

Global exports of Scotch Whisky fell by more than £1.1bn during 2020. The export figures are the lowest they have been in a decade, as the combined impact of Covid-19 and the 25% tariff in the United States hit distillers hard.

In 2020, the export value of Scotch Whisky exports fell 23% by value to £3.8bn. The number of 70cl bottles exported fell by 13% to the equivalent of 1.14bn.

The value and volume of exports to most of Scotch Whisky’s top 10 markets fell as countries went into lockdown to combat the spread of Covid-19 during 2020. The closure of hospitality and travel restrictions impacting airport retail globally saw export values fall in 70% of Scotch Whisky’s global markets compared to 2019.

Exports to the EU 27, the industry’s largest regional export market, fell by 15%.

It is the continued impact of tariffs by the USA on exports of Single Malt Scotch Whisky thereto that has caused the most significant losses. The United States is Scotch Whisky’s most valuable market, valued at over £1bn in 2019 when it accounted for a fifth of global exports.

In 2020, exports of Scotch Whisky to the US fell by 32% to £729m, a loss of £340m compared to 2019, and accounting for around one third of total global export losses.

The SWA celebrated with a silent song and dance when prize goof Diaper Don lost the US Presidency and the new President scrapped Trump’s cursed tariff early 2021.

The 25% tariff on Single Malt that the industry is forced to pay to the US is in large part a result of a continuing dispute between the EU, UK and US governments over subsidies granted to Airbus and Boeing.

The Scotch Whisky industry has now paid over half a billion pounds in tariffs on behalf of the UK government because of the subsidies that the government granted to the aerospace sector in breach of World Trade Organisation rules.

Export volume of Scotch Whisky in 2020 was the equivalent of 1.14bn 70cl bottles, down 12.6% compared with 2019.

Exports have fallen in 127 of 179 global markets.

Exports by value are now at their lowest level since 2010 when £3.48bn was exported.

Scotch Whisky exports to the US were valued at £1.07bn in 2019 – the industry’s first billion pound market.

Compared to Scotch Whisky, other spirits categories, including tequila, mezcal, Cognac and American whiskey, performed positively in the US market during 2020.

                                                                            TABLE 1

                                      TOP 10 EXPORT DESTINATIONS FOR SCOTCH WHISKY (BY VALUE) IN 2020 

COUNTRY	EXPORTS 2019	EXPORTS 2020	CHANGE %
USA	£1,069m	£729m	- 31.8
France	£432m	£375m	-13.1
Singapore	£300m	£247m	-17.6
Taiwan	£205m	£182m	-11.5
Latvia	£142m	£176m	+23.6
Germany	£185m	£139m	-24.9
Japan	£147m	£114m	-22.1
Australia	£117m	£113m	-03.17
Spain	£180m	£109m	-40.0
China	£89m	£107m	+20.4

TABLE 2

     TOP 10 EXPORT NATIONS FOR SCOTCH WHISKY (BY VOL 0.7L BOTTLES) 2020   

COUNTRY	EXPORTS 2019	EXPORTS 2020	CHANGE %
France	176 m Bottles	173m bottles	+01.5
USA	127 m	112m	-12.3
India	131 m	95 m	-27.8
Brazil	43 m	45 m	+05.7
Japan	60 m	45 m	-26.2
Germany	50 m	43 m	-14.3
Mexico	51 m	42 m	-17.9
Latvia	35 m	39 m	+11.9
Poland	33 m	37 m	+14.6
Spain	57 m	36m	-26.1

 TABLE 3

  SCOTCH WHISKY EXPORTS BY GLOBAL REGION (DEFINED BY VALUE) 2020

VARIATION AS PERCENTAGE OF GLOBAL EXPORTS
European Union	£1,256 bn	-15.1%	33%
Asia and Oceania	£998 m	-19.4%	26%
North America	£904 m	-29.6%	24%
LatAm and Caribbean	£260 m	-31%	07%
Africa	£137m	-22.0%	03.6%
MENA	£121m	-49.4%	03%
Western Europe (non-EU)	£93m	+11.5%	02%
Eastern Europe (non-EU)	£35m	-04.8%	01%

THE WORLD'S BEST WHISKIES

World Whiskies Awards 2021

The results are in for the International Whisky Competition, highlighting the best whiskies for 2021 from all around the world. Hosted in Estes Park, Colorado, this year where an entire panel of professionals blind tasted every single entrant before scoring based on a 100-point scale system, Scotland’s Ardbeg Uigeadail has officially been crowned the King of the Casks – stacking up an impressive 95.9 points to win The Golden Barrel Trophy.

In terms of overall rankings, Scotland has – unsurprisingly – managed to lock out the Top 3 spots with the Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 in second place (95.1 points), followed by Dewar’s Double Double 32 YO in third (95 points). But that isn’t to say it’s a completely domination. Taiwan has been staking their claim, placing fourth with the Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (94.6 points), and placing in three other spots within the Top 15. These awards are global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of drinks. These awards select, reward and promote the world’s best drinks to consumers and trade across the globe.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Sight: Colour (0 points), Visual Appeal (5 points)

Nose: Intensity & Complexity (15 points), Distinctiveness of Aromas (10 points), Balance of Aromas (10 points)

Taste/Mouth Feel: Palate & Balance (10 points), Alcohol, Body & Complexity (10 points), Distinctiveness of Flavours (10 points), Balance Between Flavours (10 points)

Finish: Length & Finish (10 points), Quality of Finish (10 points)

Whisky of the Year: Ardbeg Uigeadail (Islay, Scotland)

                                    

Winner Golden Barrel Trophy: Ardbeg

THE BEST WHISKIES IN THE WORLD

Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 points

Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 – 95.1 points (Highland, Scotland)

Dewar’s Double Double 32 YO – 95 points

Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 94.6 points (Taiwan)

King Car 40th Anniversary Selected Wine Cask Matured Single Malt Whisky – 94 points (Taiwan)

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.7 points (Taiwan)

Dewar’s Double Double 21 YO – 93.6 points (Scotland)

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO (Batch 2) – 93.4 points (Islay, Scotland)

Glenmorangie Signet – 93.1 points (Highland, Scotland)

Kavalan Solist (Oloroso) Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93 points (Taiwan)

Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92.97 points (Islay, Scotland)

Ardbeg An Oa – 92.87 points (Islay, Scotland)

Aberlour A’Bundah – 92.73 points (Speyside, Scotland)

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 YO – 92.67 Pts (Highland, Scotland)

CATEGORY AND AGE WISE AWARDS 

BEST SINGLE MALT (ALL CATEGORIES, ALL COUNTRIES)

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 Pts (Islay, Scotland)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 – 95.1 Pts (Highland, Scotland)

3rd Place: Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 94.6 Pts (Taiwan)

BEST BLENDED WHISKY  (ALL CATEGORIES, ALL COUNTRIES)

1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old – 95 Pts (Scotland)

2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old – 93.6 Pts (Scotland)

3rd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old – 92.37 Pts (Scotland)

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 – 95.1 Pts

3rd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 2) – 93.4 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH NAS (NO AGE STATEMENT)

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Signet – 93.1 Pts

3rd Place: Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92.97 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 10 YEAR OLD & UNDER

1st Place: Ardbeg Wee Beastie – 91.67 Pts

2nd Place: Ardbeg Ten – 91.17 Pts

3rd Place: Glenmorangie The Original – 89.93 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 12 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenlivet 12 Year Old – 90.93 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or 12 Year Old – 90.53 Pts

3rd Place: Aberlour 12 Year Old –  89.47 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 13-14 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – 92.67 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Elementa 14 Year Old – 89.77 Pts

3rd Place: The Glenlivet 14 Year Old – 89.07 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 15 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate Batch No. 2 – 89.67 Pts

2nd Place: The Glenlivet 15 Year Old – 89.5 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 16-17 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Aberlour 16 Year Old – 92.33 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Tribute 16 Year Old – 92.23 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 18 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old – 92.37 Pts

2nd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – 92 Pts

3rd Place: Aberlour 18 Year Old – 87.53 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 19-25 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 – 95.1 Pts

2nd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 2) – 93.4 Pts

3rd Place: Glenmorangie 19 Year Old– 90.97 Pts

BEST ISLAY SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail - 95.9 Pts

2nd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 2) – 93.4 Pts

3rd Place: Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92.97 Pts

BEST HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 – 95.1 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Signet – 93.1 Pts

3rd Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – 92.67 Pts

BEST SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh – 92.73 Pts

2nd Place: Aberlour 16 Year Old – 92.33 Pts

3rd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – 92 Pts

BEST LOWLAND SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Peated – 88.67 Pts

BEST NEW SCOTCH RELEASE 2021

1st Place: Ardbeg Scorch 2021 Committee Release – 91.63 Pts

2nd Place: Dewar's Portuguese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 90.23 Pts

3rd Place: Ardbeg Scorch 2021 Limited Edition – 90.13 Pts

BEST BLENDED SCOTCH 10 YEAR AND UNDER

1st Place: Dewar's Portuguese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 90.23 Pts

2nd Place: Dewar's Japanese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 87.97 Pts

3rd Place: Dewar's Ilegal Smooth - 8 Year Old – 87.6 Pts 

BEST BLENDED SCOTCH 12-15 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Dewar’s 12 Year Old The Ancestor – 89.6 Pts

2nd Place: Dewar’s 15 Year Old The Monarch – 88.2 Pts

3rd Place: Imperial 12 Year Old Blended Scotch – 86.2 Pts

BEST INDIAN WHISKY

1st Place: Mithuna by Paul John Indian Single Malts – 90.7 Pts

2nd Place: Paul John Nirvana Unpeated Indian Single Malt Whisky – 89.73 Pts

3rd Place: Paul John P.X. Select Cask Indian Single Malt  – 89.1 Pts 

BEST DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR : KAVALAN TAIWAN

Kavalan Distillery, Taiwan won a total of 18 awards, one Best Other Single Malt Whisky fpr its Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, 11 double golds and six gold medals. The distillery representation was true to type, with very strong whiskies, at or around cask strength. The list ran like so: 

AWARD	WHISKY
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist PX Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan 10th Anniversary Earth Silver Wine Cask Matured Single Cask Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang - Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

                    Image Source: Whisky.com

THE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

 

 
THE WORLD DRINKS AWARDS

The World Drinks Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of drinks. Presented by TheDrinksReport.com, acclaimed global professionals select, reward and promote the world’s best drinks to consumers and trade across the globe.

WORLD'S BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES

Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt 12 Years & Under

The Glenallachie 10 Yo Batch 4

Gold Medal Winners

Darkness 8 YO 47.8% ABV Independent Bottler

Aultmore 18 YO 46% ABV John Dewar & Sons Ltd

Braes of Glenlivet 27 YO 48% ABV Chivas Brothers

Benromach Contrasts: Organic 46% ABV Benromach

Silver Medal winners include Glenlivet 18 YO & Craigellachie 13 YO.

Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt 13 to 20 Years

Tomintoul Whisky 16 YO

Gold Medal Winners: Aultmore 18 YO 46% ABV John Dewar & Sons Ltd

The Silver Medal winners included the Tamdhu 12, Glenallachie 13, Glenlivet 18 YO, the Craigellachie 12 YO and the Tomintoul 21 YO

The Bronze was bagged by Caperdonich 18 YO Peated, Ballantine's Glenburgie Single Malt 15 YO and a Longmorn 23 YO

21 Years & Over     

Winner-Glen Keith 21 YO Scotch Single Malt

Gold Medal Winner: Braes of Glenlivet, 27 YO

No Age Statement

Winner : Aberlour A’Bunadh

Gold Medal Winner

Benromach Contrasts: Organic

WORLD'S BEST BLENDED SCOTCH

Dewar's Double Double 21 Years Old

WORLD'S BEST BLENDED MALT

Chivas Regal Ultis

BEST GENERIC WHISKY BRANDS IN THE WORLD

Alongside the best whisky brands that have been pleasing lovers of the spirit for years comes a new influx of distilleries making subtle differences to switch things up. These whisky brands are introducing unique flavour profiles, unusual ageing methods, and thinking up new tricks as time passes to keep the drink at the forefront of our minds. And when it comes to whisky, the cliché is true: there really is something for everyone.

Take a glance through amber-tinted glasses to explore a huge range of our favourite drams, from the peaty Laphroaigs to the smooth Balvenies and the unconventional Highland Park.

        

CATEGORY	WHISKY
Best budget	Speyburn
Best value	Glen Moray
Best entry-level	Craigellachie
Best for the money	Highland Park
Best under $50	Glenlivet
Best Scotch whisky	Glenmorangie
Best tasting	Longmorn
Best sipping	Oban
Best neat	Glengoyne
Best for a foggy day	Chivas Regal
Best for a rainy day	Laphroaig
Best for an Old Fashioned	Balvenie
Best single malt	Singleton of Glen Ord 18 YO
Best Blended Scotch	Buchanan’s
Best in complexity	Bunnahabhain
Best top shelf single malt	Macallan
Best top shelf Blended Scotch	Johnnie Walker
Best peated	Ardbeg
Best smoky	Lagavulin
Best sherried	Glendronach