19-05-2025
Scotland's best whiskies crowned at World Whiskies Awards - see list of winners
Distilleries across the country have been recognised for their whiskies.
The winners of the annual World Whiskies Awards have been unveiled. Distilleries across Scotland were recognised at the awards, which promote the best whiskies to consumers and trade around the world.
The overall Best Scotch Highlands Single Malt prize was awarded to the Glenmorangie Signet Reserve. The whisky is a rare edition of the Ross-shire distillery's award-winning Glenmorangie Signet.
The Glenmorangie Signet Reserve is made from specially selected Signet that spent an additional 12 months of aging in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The process enhances the whisky's complexity and richness, resulting in a release of highly limited quantities each year.
According to the Glenmorangie website, the original Signet came about when the distillery's whisky creators began exploring "the richer side" of Glenmorangie's flavour profile. One week each year is wholly dedicated to the creation of Signet, with all other operations paused.
The espresso-like spirit is distilled, before being aged in bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks. The whisky, which was first released in 2008, is known for its depth and complexity.
World Whiskies Awards judges commented: "Figs, dates, and treacle tart come to the forefront on the nose, while a luscious, velvety-textured palate offers caramel."
The Glenmorangie Signet Reserve is available to purchase from retailer Master of Malt for a price of £329.90. It can also be bought from The Whisky Exchange for £330.
Meanwhile, taking home the 12 Years & Under prize at the World Whiskies Awards was the Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Years Old. The release, which is from Loch Lomond Distillery, was aged in three different types of American Oak casks.
The Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Years Old features fruity and sweet notes, which the distillery is known for. It also includes flavours of peach, apricot, toffee and vanilla.
Judges stated: "Hints of fresh tobacco align with chocolate orange on the nose, setting the tone for an intricate sipping experience. Juicy orchard fruits and honey sit in a mouth-coating texture on the palate, before bubblegum and pineapple emerge on the finish.
"A well-rounded, moreish whisky."
The Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Years Old can be purchased from Master of Malt for £42.95. It is also in stock at The Whisky Shop for £56.
Elsewhere, the winner of the 13 to 20 Years award was the Loch Lomond Waypoint Series - Falls of Falloch 16 Years Old. Also from Loch Lomond Distillery, the limited-edition whisky is part of a series that celebrates natural landmarks.
The unpeated 16-year-old single malt was distilled in Swan Neck stills and matured in ex-Bourbon casks, before being finished for 12 months in ex-Cognac barrels. It features aromas of honeycomb, tropical fruit, and vanilla toffee, as well as tasting notes of dried apple and hints of peach.
A bottle of the Loch Lomond 16 Year Old Waypoint Series Falls of Falloch can be picked up from The Whisky Shop for £84. It is also available from Loch Fyne Whiskies for the same price.
Finally, the winner of the 21 Years & Over prize at the World Whiskies Awards was the Royal Brackla Sherry Cask Finish 25 Years Old. The whisky was initially matured for 25 years in opulent first-fill Bourbon barrels, before being finished in PX Sherry Casks.
Praised by judges for its "uplifting and classy nose", the Royal Brackla Sherry Cask Finish 25 Years Old features aromas of toffee apple, raisin, and dried fig. Meanwhile, its tasting notes include caramel, muscovado sugar, green apple, and cookie dough.
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Best Scotch Highlands Single Malt — Glenmorangie Signet Reserve
12 Years & Under — Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Years Old
13 to 20 Years — Loch Lomond Waypoint Series - Falls of Falloch 16 Years Old
21 Years & Over — Royal Brackla Sherry Cask Finish 25 Years Old
