The Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards returned to Edinburgh for their regional Scotland legs, where two new inductees were also welcomed to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame

After yet another year of challenges for the whisky industry, it was time to celebrate the inventiveness of its best people and places in the Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky awards.

As the world of drinks has slowly but surely began to make its journey to the ‘new normal’, the Icons of Whisky regional awards are reflecting that with a return to in-person ceremonies.

On Thursday 2^nd December, The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh welcomed the Scotch whisky industry’s finest, from bartenders to brand ambassadors, and retailers to visitor attraction managers, to celebrate the country’s 2022 Icons. The ceremony saw The Glenturret Distillery take the coveted Distiller of the Year title, while Glengoyne (part of Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd) was named Sustainable Distillery of the Year – a category which has seen increased entries as environmental issues move up the whisky-making agenda.

Icons of Whisky Scotland 2022 Winners and Highly Commended

Distiller
Winner
The Glenturret Distillery

Craft Producer
Winner
Ballindalloch Distillery

Highly Commended
Holyrood Distillery

Sustainable Distillery
Winner
Glengoyne

Highly Commended
Nc’nean Distillery

Visitor Attraction
Winner
The GlenAllachie Distillery

Highly Commended
Glenfarclas Distillery Visitor Centre

Distillery Manager
Winner
Ed Thom, Glenmorangie Company

Highly Commended
Ian Renwick, The Glenturret Distillery

Master Distiller / Master Blender
Winner
Julieann Fernandez, Distell International

Highly Commended
Michael Henry, Loch Lomond Group

Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador
Winner
Martin Markvardsen, Highland Park (Edrington Group)

Highly Commended
Jamie Morrison, The Glenturret Distillery

Visitor Attraction Manager
Winner
Debs Newman, Holyrood Distillery

Single Outlet Retailer
Winner
Inverurie Whisky Shop

Multiple Outlet Retailer
Winner
Robert Graham Ltd

Online Retailer
Winner
Abbey Whisky

Highly Commended
Robert Graham Ltd

Whisky Buyer
Winner
Mike Sharples, Abbey Whisky

Whisky Bar
Winner
Kaleidoscope Bar, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Whisky Hotel Bar
Winner
The Spirit Safe Bar at The Station Hotel, Rothes

Highly Commended
Freedom an’ Whisky at Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel

Communicator
Winner
Blair Bowman

PR Agency
Winner
Spey

Brand Innovator
Winner
Bacardi (John Dewar & Sons)

Independent Bottler
Winner
Lady of the Glen

Highly Commended
Douglas Laing & Co