Icons of Whisky Scotland 2021 award winners announced in virtual ceremony

As well as celebrating the distilleries and the teams that work in them, the awards also focus on individuals and businesses that work to support and promote them and their products.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards results couldn’t be presented in person this year at a gala dinner.

Instead, the Whisky Magazine team have hosted virtual presentations to announce the regional winners, broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, said: "After an incredibly challenging year it has been wonderful to witness the perseverance of the whisky industry.

"We have seen new and creative development, and innovation in the face of unexpected restrictions. The resilience of those celebrated here is second to none."

Christopher Coates, editor of Whisky Magazine, added: "Each year I’m blown away by the level of commitment, expertise, and passion demonstrated by the talented individuals that can be found at every level of the whisky business.

"While standards are always high and the competition fierce, this year more than ever our judges have been left in awe of the industry’s efforts to educate, innovate, and creatively respond to the challenges of the past 12 months.

"In particular, the industry’s support of the on-trade and travel sectors has been commendable, while the swift production of sanitiser early on and ongoing charity fundraising efforts are truly inspiring testaments to the exceptional nature of the whisky trade.

"Simultaneously, we’ve also seen a number of impressive new releases and campaigns that can easily be counted among some of the best the world of whisky has ever seen."

The winners in full

Distiller Winner Whyte & Mackay

Highly Commended LVMH (The Glenmorangie Company)

Craft Producer Winner Arbikie Distillery

Highly Commended Ardnamurchan Distillery

Sustainable Distillery Winner Nc'nean Distillery

Highly Commended Glengoyne Distillery

Brand Innovator Winner Ardnamurchan Distillery

Highly Commended Nc'nean Distillery

Campaign Innovator Winner Ardbeg, The launch of Wee Beastie

Highly Commended Tomatin Distillery, The Lockdown Whisky Festival

Visitor Attraction Winner Holyrood Distillery

Highly Commended The Scotch Whisky Experience

Distillery Manager Winner Stewart Walker, Fettercairn Distillery

Highly Commended Ian Renwick, The Glenturret Distillery

Master Distiller / Master Blender Winner Bob Dalgarno, The Glenturret Distillery

Highly Commended Rachel Barrie, Brown-Forman

Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador Winner Scott Adamson, Tomatin Distillery

Highly Commended Paul Dempsey, Speyside Distillery

Visitor Attraction Manager Winner Stuart Hendry, Glengoyne Distillery

Highly Commended Mark Bruce, Jura Distillery

Single Outlet Retailer Winner Carnegie Whisky Cellars

Highly Commended Inverurie Whisky Shop

Multiple Outlet Retailer Winner Good Spirits Company

Highly Commended Robert Graham Ltd.

Online Retailer Winner Robert Graham Ltd.

Highly Commended Abbey Whisky

Supermarket Winner Tesco

Highly Commended Asda

Own Brand Supermarket Winner Lidl

Whisky Buyer Winner Sarah Sturgeon, Tesco

Highly Commended Mike Sharples, Abbey Whisky

Bar Manager Winner Andy Gemmell, The Gate

Highly Commended Mike Smith, The Bow Bar

Whisky Bar Winner Bon Accord, Glasgow

Highly Commended The Bow Bar, Edinburgh

Whisky Hotel Bar Winner SCOTCH at The Balmoral Hotel

Highly Commended Dornoch Castle Hotel

Whisky Bar Group Winner Whisky Bars of Scotland

Advertising Agency Winner Republic of Media

Design Agency Winner threebrand

Highly Commended Paul Collins Creative

Communicator Winner Moa Nilsson, Swedish Whisky Girl

Highly Commended Andrew Flatt, The Amateur Drammer

For more information about the Icons of Whisky awards, visit the website.

https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/scran-season-2-drams-with-outlander-star-sam-heughan/