The Icons of Whisky Scotland are presented in Edinburgh each year and continue to celebrate the nation's top whisky people, bars, producers and retailers.
Our Icons of Whisky are nominated by and voted for online by members of the industry. After this process is complete, Anthony Denny, publisher & managing editor; Rob Allanson, editor; and Christopher Coates, Scotch whisky editor, act as an editorial panel that collates the results, debates tie breakers and finalises the results. The process remained the same this year, although we have added some new categories for the 2020 awards, to mirror the growing reach and impact of whisky and the professionals working within the industry.
Distiller of the year
Winner
Glenfarclas Distillery
Highly Commended
Ian Macleod Distillers
Craft Producer of the year
Winner
Ballindalloch Distillery
Highly Commended
Daftmill Distillery
Sustainable Distillery
Winner
Ardnamurchan Distillery
Highly Commended
Deanston Distillery
Brand Innovator of the year
Winner
Isle of Arran Distillers
Highly Commended
AnCnoc
Visitor Attraction of the year
Winner
Glen Moray Distillery
Highly Commended
Master Distiller/ Master Blender of the year
Winner
Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie Distillery
Highly Commended
Rachel Barrie, Brown-Forman
Distillery Manager of the year
Winner
Callum Fraser, Glenfarclas Distillery
Highly Commended
Graham Eunson, Tomatin Distillery
Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the year
Winner
Karen Fullerton, Glenmorangie
Highly Commended
Danny Dyer, William Grant & Sons
Visitor Attraction Manager of the year
Winner
Brian Robinson, Ballindalloch Distillery
Highly Commended
Claire Southern, Speyside Distillery "The Snug", Aviemore
Bar of the year
Winner
Bon Accord, Glasgow
Highly Commended
Ben Nevis, Glasgow
Bar Manager of the year
Winner
Frank Murphy, Pot Still, Glasgow
Highly Commended
Mandy Silver, Curly Coo, Stirling
Hotel Bar of the year
Winner
Ardsheil Hotel, Ardsheil
Highly Commended
Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch
Communicator of the year
Winner
Dr Chris White, Edinburgh Whisky Blog
Highly Commended
Jim & Nicola Young, Whisky Boys
Campaign Innovator
Winner
Ardbeg Distillery – Masters of Smoke
Highly Commended
Douglas Laing & Co. – A Remarkable Encapsulation of Scotland’s Whisky Islands
PR Agency of the year
Winner
SPEY
Highly Commended
Beeline PR
Design Agency of the year
Winner
Breeze Creative, Glasgow
Highly Commended
Contagious, Edinburgh
Multiple Outlets Retailer of the year
Winner
Good Spirits Company, Glasgow
Highly Commended
Royal Mile Whiskies/Drinkmonger
Online Retailer of the year
Winner
Royal Mile Whiskies
Highly Commended
Abbey Whisky
Own Brand Supermarket of the year
Winner
Aldi
Highly Commended
Lidl
Single Outlet Retailer of the year
Winner
Gordon & MacPhail
Highly Commended
Green Welly Stop
Buyer of the year
Winner
Arthur Motley, Royal Mile Whiskies
Highly Commended
Michael Hanratty, Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Supermarket of the year
Winner
Aldi
Highly Commended
Tesco
Travel Retailer of the year
