The Icons if Whisky Scotland mark that time of the year when Whisky Magazine celebrates the nation’s top people, bars, producers and retailers. Those taking the coveted top spots have been chosen for showing particular dedication and drive, taking not just their companies, but the industry too to another level.

These were presented on Friday, 6 December 2019 at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh.

Additionally, to these winners and highly commended people and places, we are honoured to include two Hall of Fame inductees this year.

Inductee 62

Maureen Robinson, Diageo

Inductee 63

Dr. Bill Lumsden, The Glenmorangie Company

Icons of Scotland Winners 2019

Distiller of the Year, sponsored by Glencairn
Glenfarclas Distillery

Highly Commended
Ian Macleod Distillers

Master Distiller/ Master Blender of the Year, sponsored by Steklarna Hrastnik
Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie

Highly Commended
Rachel Barrie, Brown-Forman

Craft Producer of the Year, sponsored by Wade Ceramics
Ballindalloch Distillery

Highly Commended
Daftmill Distillery

Brand Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Westrock
Isle of Arran Distillers

Highly Commended
AnCnoc

Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by Christies
Glen Moray Distillery

Highly Commended
GlenAllachie Distillery

Distillery Manager of the Year, sponsored by Larkfire
Callum Fraser, Glenfarclas Distillery

Highly Commended
Graham Eunson, Tomatin Distillery

Sustainable Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Scotch Bonnet
Ardnamurchan Distillery

Highly Commended
Deanston Distillery

Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year
Karen Fullerton, Glenmorangie

Highly Commended
Danny Dyer, William Grant & Sons

Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year
Brian Robinson, Ballindalloch Distillery

Highly Commended
Claire Southern, Speyside Distillery “The Snug”, Aviemore

Bar of the Year
Bon Accord, Glasgow

Highly Commended
Ben Nevis, Glasgow

Bar Manager of the Year
Frank Murphy, Pot Still, Glasgow

Highly Commended
Mandy Silver, Curly Coo, Stirling

Hotel Bar of the Year
Ardsheil Hotel, Ardsheil

Highly Commended
Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch

Communicator the Year
Dr Chris White, http://www.edinburghwhiskyblog.com           

Highly Commended
Jim & Nicola Young, http://www.whiskyboys.com

Campaign Innovator
Ardbeg Distillery – Masters of Smoke

Highly Commended
Douglas Laing & Co. – A Remarkable Encapsulation of Scotland’s Whisky Islands

PR Agency of the Year
SPEY

Highly Commended
Beeline PR

Design Agency of the Year 
Breeze Creative, Glasgow     

Highly Commended
Contagious, Edinburgh

Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year
Good Spirits Company, Glasgow

Highly Commended
Royal Mile Whiskies/Drinkmonger

Online Retailer of the Year      
Royal Mile Whiskies

Highly Commended
Abbey Whisky

Single Outlet Retailer of the Year, sponsored by The Glenturret
Gordon & MacPhail

Highly Commended
Green Welly Stop

Whisky Buyer of the Year       
Arthur Motley, Royal Mile Whiskies

Highly Commended
Michael Hanratty, Carnegie Whisky Cellars

Own Brand Supermarket of the Year  
Aldi

Highly Commended
Lidl

Supermarket of the Year         
Aldi     

Highly Commended
Tesco

Travel Retailer of the Year      
World of Whiskies, Edinburgh, Glasgow & Aberdeen Airport

Highly Commended
The Whisky Cellar, Inverness Airport