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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The 18 best Scotch whiskies according to the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2025 - including Glenfiddich and Bowmore
The 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) medals have been awarded, with 10 Scotch whiskies given a coveted double gold accolade. Spirits at the awards are blind tasted by an expert and independent panel of judges selected by the organiser. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Double Gold medals are awarded according to a consensus reached by the judging panel. This year 18 Scotch whisky brands took home a double gold medal including single cask bottlings from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and a special release from Ardbeg. Picture: OurWhisky Foundation/Jo Hanley Here we take a look at all the double gold medal winners. Single Malts up to 12 years old category Glenmorangie Lasanta Single Malts between 13 and 20 years old Aberfeldy 16 Years Old Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Years Old Balblair 15 Year Old Bowmore 19-Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Mizunara Oak - Aged 16 Years The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Single Malts non age statement Loch Lomond Remarkable Copper Single Malt Scotch Whisky Single Malts 21 years old and over Scotch Malt Whisky Society 12.87 - Velvety smooth with a hint of spice (independent) A'Glac Charran 27 Year Old Glenfiddich 29 Year Old Grand Yozakura Scapa 21 Year Old Ardbeg Seann Chreag Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 23 Years Old Scotch Blends 21 years old and over Royal Salute 25 Year Old The Treasured Blend Royal Salute 30 Year Old Key to the Kingdom Over 100 Scotch whiskies were awarded a gold, silver, bronze or double gold medal at this year's tasting judging. The International Wine and Spirits Competition was created by Anton Massel in 1969 in London with the first official competition taking place in 1970. Competition entries now regularly exceed 12,000 and cover, as the name suggests, wines and spirits. You can find out more and see the full list at the IWSC website here.
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The 18 best Scotch whiskies according to the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2025 - including Glenfiddich and Bowmore
The 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) medals have been awarded, with 10 Scotch whiskies given a coveted double gold accolade. Spirits at the awards are blind tasted by an expert and independent panel of judges selected by the organiser. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Double Gold medals are awarded according to a consensus reached by the judging panel. This year 18 Scotch whisky brands took home a double gold medal including single cask bottlings from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and a special release from Ardbeg. Picture: OurWhisky Foundation/Jo Hanley Here we take a look at all the double gold medal winners. Single Malts up to 12 years old category Glenmorangie Lasanta Single Malts between 13 and 20 years old Aberfeldy 16 Years Old Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Years Old Balblair 15 Year Old Bowmore 19-Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Mizunara Oak - Aged 16 Years The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Single Malts non age statement Loch Lomond Remarkable Copper Single Malt Scotch Whisky Single Malts 21 years old and over Scotch Malt Whisky Society 12.87 - Velvety smooth with a hint of spice (independent) A'Glac Charran 27 Year Old Glenfiddich 29 Year Old Grand Yozakura Scapa 21 Year Old Ardbeg Seann Chreag Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 23 Years Old Scotch Blends 21 years old and over Royal Salute 25 Year Old The Treasured Blend Royal Salute 30 Year Old Key to the Kingdom Over 100 Scotch whiskies were awarded a gold, silver, bronze or double gold medal at this year's tasting judging. The International Wine and Spirits Competition was created by Anton Massel in 1969 in London with the first official competition taking place in 1970. Competition entries now regularly exceed 12,000 and cover, as the name suggests, wines and spirits. You can find out more and see the full list at the IWSC website here.
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Whisky chief buys Aberdeenshire estate castle and grounds after rewilding company has to sell up
The sale is one of many made across the Highlands Rewilding portfolio. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... One of Scotland's prominent whisky figures has bought an Aberdeenshire castle and grounds from a rewilding company that was forced to sell up over financial issues. Beldorney estate has been sold by Highlands Rewilding Grant Gordon, a scion of the William Grant & Sons whisky empire, which produces single malts including Balvenie and Glenfiddich, is in the process of buying Beldorney Castle and part of its 350-hectare estate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The property has been owned by former Greenpeace director Jeremy Leggett's company Highlands Rewilding since 2021. The mass-ownership company currently manages two rewilding projects in the Highlands of Scotland at the Bunloit Estate and here on the Beldorney Estate. It was previously in Mr Gordon's family when Sir William Grant, the founder of William Grant & Sons, owned the estate for a period in the early 1900s. The Scotsman understands the whisky chief has bought a large chunk of the estate including its castle, while a neighbouring landowner in the community has bought a smaller bit of land. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The statues of William and Elizabeth Grant, the founders of the distillery, can be seen in the courtyard of the distillery. No plans on the future management of the Aberdeenshire estate have been made public yet. Highlands Rewilding, a company set up to rewild areas of the country, was forced to sell off its estates, which also include Tayvallich on the west coast and Bunloit in Inverness-shire, to pay back an £11m loan taken out to purchase land for its initiatives. Entrepreneur Jeremy Leggett is founder and chief executive of Highlands Rewilding, which owns three estates in Scotland – he hopes the ground-breaking sale and agreement can be copied in other places Mr Leggett said a total of 17 buildings across the company's three areas of operation had been sold and most of its land - approaching 1,500 hectares - has been sold to buyers who he said 'still want to partner with the company on land management.' Some 500 hectares are still on the market, with Mr Leggett saying he hopes they will go to a buyer or buyers who will be 'willing to partner with us on land management so our team would be able to continue its nature-recovery work on the whole estate.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad These include the island of Danna and the Ulva Peninsula on the west coast, which are on the market in two lots for offers over £3,350,000 with Strutt and Parker. Commenting on the Beldorney sale, Mr Leggett said: 'I and the Highlands Rewilding team are very pleased with the end result of our sales of land and buildings on Beldorney. 'The land has been sold to two local families who are intent on continuing nature restoration. 'The buildings have returned to local families. We are delighted to see the same pattern of ownership transfer to local interests intent on nature recovery unfolding on Tayvallich. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'That pattern is a considerable secondary benefit of the Highlands Rewilding model. Meanwhile the primary benefit - data-led land-management for investable nature recovery - remains firmly in play, via partnerships underway and in train.' Mr Leggett said the large bridging loan from the state-owned UK Infrastructure Bank had been a 'risky' but necessary move to secure land at Tayvallich initially, half of which was then sold in a much-lauded deal to the Barrahormid Trust which will hold it in perpetuity for nature restoration and community development, including house building. Dr Josh Doble, Community Land Scotland's (CLS) policy manager, previously said CLS was 'deeply concerned' about the sales 'to repay enormous loans they took out to buy the land in the first place.' He previously told The Scotsman: 'Scottish land acquisitions should not be based upon these speculative financial models which require the rapid creation of underdeveloped natural capital markets in order to be financially viable.' Grant Gordon is a trustee of the Cabrach Trust, which he founded in 2011.
Press and Journal
17-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
How Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown has gone against the grain since 1886
There are few businesses that can boast being built stone-by-stone by their founder, but that's just one of Glenfiddich Distillery's claims to fame. In 1886, William Grant, former manager of the Mortlach Distillery, realised a long-held ambition to make his own dram. He had no financial backing, but a lot of determination. And as luck would have it, the owner of Cardhu Distillery, Elizabeth Cumming, decided to replace her stills. For the sum of £120, William snapped up old copper stills, the tuns and watermill. And in the spirit of Victorian innovation, William set about hand-building a distillery alongside his wife, nine children and a stonemason using stones from the River Fiddich. William named the distillery 'Glenfiddich' derived from the Gaelic Gleann Fhiodhaich meaning Valley of the Deer. He wanted to create 'the best dram in the valley', and remarkably achieved the seemingly impossible when his distillery came to fruition. On Christmas Day in 1887 the first 223 gallons of the balanced and sweet whisky flowed from the distillery's copper stills. Pure water from the Robbie Dhu spring above Dufftown gave Grant's malt whisky its unique taste. It was not long before Aberdeen-based blender William Williams purchased Glenfiddich's entire output becoming the sole supplier of the whisky. When Glenfiddich expanded to establish its Balvenie distillery in the 1890s, much of its equipment was picked up second hand. And even when the whisky production market in the north was saturated, and primary buyer Pattisons went bankrupt in the late 1890s, Glenfiddich survived. Ever-innovative, Grants adapted their business to supply retailers directly, taking Glenfiddich confidently into the 20th Century. In spite of failing health, William Grant continued working into his twilight years, and died in 1923 aged 83. By the time he died his blends were enjoyed across the world. But when William Grant's grandson, former teacher Gordon Grant, joined the firm in 1923 America was in the throes of prohibition. During prohibition, the production and consumption of alcohol was banned by federal government. However, like his forebears, Gordon took a different approach. Rather than quell output, to the surprise of industry contemporaries, the Grants ramped up production. When prohibition ended, Glenfiddich was one of only six operating distilleries and was poised to supply aged whisky to the US. Into the 1950s, William Grant's great-grandson Charles Gordon became involved in the family business. Recognising the importance of its heritage, while looking to the future, Charles made the distillery self sufficient. He introduced dedicated on-site coppersmiths in 1957 to maintain the distillery's unique stills, and established the distillery's own cooperage two years later. To this day, Glenfiddich is one of only a handful of distilleries that still produces its own casks. This investment in traditional, time-served practices went against the grain of other producers who were mechanising and modernising their ways. But in a way, it rooted Glenfiddich in the golden age of whisky. In 1956, the distiller even broke the mould when it came to bottles – literally – changing from the standard shape to a triangular one. It was designed by Hans Schleger, a Polish-born graphic designer and leading light in Britain's modernist movement. Schleger was the man behind iconic imagery such as the London Transport bus stop sign and wartime propaganda posters. The bottle was borne from a need to stand out against fierce competition from whisky conglomerate Distilling Company Limited, the precursor to Diageo. Grant's could not match DCL's advertising budgets for brands like Johnnie Walker, but the unique triangular – or tround – bottle spoke for itself. The shape was inspired by the trio of ingredients – water, air and malted barley – used in the production of Grant's blends. Like a script from Mad Men, it was a masterstroke in PR. Posters, also designed by Schleger, popped up around Scotland before the launch. Like some kind of riddle they depicted three colourful brushstrokes in a triangle shape with the words 'Stand Fast by Grant's'. The grand reveal took place on November 14 1956 at London's Savoy no less, with an audience that included William Grant's youngest daughter Miss Grant of Balvenie – by then an octogenarian. The radical triangular bottle received plaudits from industry insiders and the press alike. National newspapers carried the story the following day, with The Scotsman concluding: 'It is long-shaped and pleasant to hold. The hand closes round it – which is comforting to the person pouring – and it is elegant to look at.' Businessmen liked that the slim bottle slid neatly into briefcases, while hoteliers could stack it easily in cellars. But the bottle would also prove a secret weapon in breaking Scotch into the American market. In 1961, Grant's relaunched Glenfiddich single malt in a green version of the triangular bottle and labelled it 'straight malt'. With global audiences accustomed to blends, Glenfiddich was said to be the first single malt advertised outside of Scotland in 1963. The same year, under threat of a grain shortage, Glenfiddich established the most sophisticated grain distillery in Europe at Girven to guarantee its supply. By the 1970s the appetite for single malt was growing universally and whisky production in Scotland boomed. But with the rise inevitably came the fall, and while some may argue you can never have too much whisky, like Wall Street in the 1930s it all came crashing down. In the late '70s the UK economy was hit with high inflation and low growth, suddenly there was a glut of whisky and nobody buying it. It was described as 'the whisky loch', there was so much excess whisky it could have filled a loch. In attempts to stabilise an industry in turmoil, many distilleries which opened during the golden era closed in the early 1980s. Grants were already ahead of the curve, recognising the potential of whisky as a tourist attraction, they opened Glenfiddich's visitor centre in July 1969. Previously it had 'an open invitation' to all visitors to unofficially see its distilleries. The Press and Journal reported how an old part of the distillery building had been converted into an official visitor reception area. Maintaining the link with the past, the centre was in part of the building built by William Grant back in 1886. One of the directors, Alexander Grant Gordon said it was 'one of the most important ways of developing our business'. It was a wise move, because while others floundered in the whisky loch, Grants steamed ahead. Advertising campaigns, clever product placement on television and a commitment to its single malt brand also helped buoy the brand through turbulent times and into its centenary. In a nod to the past, Glenfiddich marked its 100th anniversary in 1987 with a special limited-edition batch bottled on Christmas Day in 1986. Even now, Glenfiddich's heritage is part of its blend; the stills in Stillhouse Two are the same size and shape of those used back in 1886 and remain direct fired. Despite increased demand, the distillery resisted increasing the size of its original stills to ensure the original flavour was retained. Instead it just added more stills. In 1992, when asked what makes Glenfiddich unique, the distillery replied: 'The craftsman and not the accountant always has the last word at Glenfiddich.' Now, Glenfiddich remains entirely owned by the fifth generation of the Grant family – descendants of the enterprising and unwavering William. And while William only sought to create the best dram in the valley, he created the best-selling single malt in the world.
Press and Journal
16-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Major Highland landowner Anders Holch Povlsen sees wealth soar by almost £1 billion
A list of Scotland's richest people shows major Highlands landowner Anders Holch Povlsen has grown his net worth by almost £1 billion in the past year. The new Sunday Times Rich List 2025 reveals he has retained his position as Scotland's richest person. Meanwhile, media and television personality Georgia Toffolo is ranked as the wealthiest person in Scotland under 40, after marrying Brewdog co-founder James Watt earlier this year. The top entrepreneurs from the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeen have been unveiled ahead of Sunday's magazine which will list the 350 richest in the UK. Fashion billionare Anders Holch Povlsen is Scotland's largest private landowner, owning more than 220,000 acres of land – including a dozen of Highland estates. He remains Scotland's wealthiest man with a fortune of £7.7bn. His home, Aldourie Castle, sits on the shores of Loch Ness. Anders' Highland company Wildland Limited posted pre-tax losses of £8.1 million for the year ending July 31 2024. His wealth stems from the Danish fashion retailer Bestseller, founded by his father, Troels Holch Povlsen, in 1975. Anders, 52, is now chief executive and sole owner of the business. He also has a stake in the struggling fast-fashion outfit Asos. He is the 23rd richest person in the UK. Chairman of Moray-based distiller William Grant and Sons, Glenn Gordon is the second richest person in Scotland. The family firm owns brands including Glenfiddich and Grant's whisky, Drambuie, Hendrick's gin and Sailor Jerry rum. The Glenfiddich chief has seen a £779m rise of net worth in the past 12 months. Aberdeen oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood has seen a slight rise to his fortunes in the past year. The third wealthiest in Scotland, 80-year-old Sir Ian was born in Aberdeen and is behind Granite City firm Wood, which is currently subject to a takeover bid. This year, the billionaire picked up the 2025 Significant Contribution Award at the Offshore Achievement Awards (OAAs). Lord Laidlaw is a Keith-born businessman and a former member of the House of Lords who has seen his wealth drop by £11m in the past year. The founder of the Institute for International Research (IIR), which became the world's largest conference and training company. He sold the firm in 2005 for around £770m to Informa Plc and is the 10th wealthiest person on the Sunday Times Scottish list. Georgia Toffolo ranked as the wealthiest person under the age of 40 in Scotland. The reality TV star has seen her net worth soar as the list values hers, and her husband James Watt, wealth as a couple The number of billionaires has dropped for three successive years and now sits at 156. The list of 350 individuals hold a combined wealth of £772.8bn – down by 3% in the 37th edition. Sunday Times Rich List compiler Robert Watts said: 'Our billionaire count is down and the combined wealth of those who feature in our research is falling. 'We are also finding fewer of the world's super rich are coming to live in the UK. 'Homegrown young tech entrepreneurs and those running centuries-old family firms are also warning of serious consequences to a range of tax changes unveiled in last October's budget. 'Our research continues to find a wide variety of self-made entrepreneurs building fortunes not just from artificial intelligence, video games and new technologies but also mundane, everyday items such as makeup, radiators and jogging bottoms.'
