World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2026

The World Whiskies Awards has announced the winners of its Scotland round, officially opening the 2026 awards season.
The results were revealed on 4 December 2025 at Edinburgh’s historic Signet Library, where leading figures from Scotland’s whisky industry gathered to celebrate excellence in whisky making.

The event began with a warm welcome from Whisky Magazine founder Damian Riley-Smith and editor Bradley Weir. Both highlighted how Scotland’s unparalleled whisky heritage and craftsmanship continue to influence and elevate the global whisky industry.

Awards were presented across multiple taste categories, including single malt, blended, and grain whiskies. The ceremony also unveiled the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2026. Among the newly recognised Icons were Glanfarclas’ Calum Fraser, named Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year, and Whyte & Mackay’s Kirsty Wright, awarded Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year. (Click here to view the full list of Icons of Whisky Scotland 2026.)

Winners from the Scotland round of both the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky will now advance to compete against top contenders from France, Ireland, Canada, Japan, the United States, and other global regions. The ultimate winners — the World’s Best — will be revealed in March 2026.

The evening also honoured two new inductees into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, which celebrates individuals whose lifelong dedication has shaped the modern whisky landscape. Susan Morrison, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Experience, and Gordon Motion, former master whisky maker at Edrington, were welcomed as the latest members of this distinguished group.