10 whiskies that won awards in 2021

If you're looking for an ideal gift for a whisky fan, or just to treat yourself, these whiskies all won awards in 2021.

Published 25th Oct 2021
Updated 9 th Aug 2023

Why not toast the festive season with one of these award-winning whiskies? From blends to single malts, and with prices starting at £16, there's something for all tastes and budgets.

Glenfarclas 25 Year Old

The Glenfarclas 25 year old was named the overall winner at this year's Spirit of Speyside awards, having also won a sliver award in the 21 year and over category.

This family run distillery is a favourite of those that love a sherry Speyside whisky, and the 25 year old is no exception as it spent all its time in Olorosso sherry casks.

Buy here, £134.95

The Sassenach

Outlander star Sam Heughan's whisky, The Sassenach, has won a plethora of awards including double gold at this year's San Fransisco World Spirits Championship and double gold at New York World Wine and Spirits Competition.

The blended whisky, which launched last year and was a sell out success, also won gold at this year's Scotch Whisky Masters.

One of four gold medallists in the blended non-age statement category, the judges praised the whisky for its 'nutty nose' and the palate of 'caramel, toffee and citrus sharpness.'

Buy here, £74.95

Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old

Glenfiddich Grand Cru is a (as the name suggests) 23 year old single malt, which has been aged in American and European oak casks before being finished in French oak cuvée wine casks for up to six months.

The Glenfiddich Grand Cru won gold in this year's Spirit of Speyside awards in the 21 year and over category.

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Buy here, £220

GlenAllachie 10 Year Old

The GlenAllachie 10 year old Batch 4 was named the World’s Best Single Malt at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards.

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts an almost 50-year tenure in whisky.

 Buy here, £56.95

Glen Scotia 25 Year Old

Another winner at this year's Scotch Whisky Masters was the 25 year old Glen Scotia.

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It won a masters accolade in the Single Malt: Campbeltown – Aged between 19‐30 Years category.

It was also recently named best whisky at the San Francisco World Spirits Championship.

Buy here, £495

Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old

Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old won the coveted title of The Scotch Whisky Taste Master 2021.

The Bunnahabhain team describe this whisky as smooth and sweet – sherry, caramel, berries and cream are balanced with roasted nuts to make a delicate yet complex single malt.

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Buy here, £323.40

Lidl Abrachan Blended Peated Malt

The supermarkets also picked up awards in this year's Scotch Whisky Masters, as Lidl received a gold in the blended malt up to £20 category for its Abrachan Blended Peated Malt whereas Aldi picked up a gold for its Highland Green Blended Malt.

Caperdonich 18 Year Old Peated Whisky

This peated single malt won a high scoring gold medal at this year's International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The judges tasting notes described it as: "sensationally peaty with sweet wine, redcurrant and smoky bonfire richness. High notes of medicinal coupled with an exotic hint of banana. Elegantly spicy with remarkable tarry depth and complexity. A rare gem, drying on the finish."

Buy here, £115

Malt Riot, the Glasgow Distillery

In the Premium Blended Malt, priced from £21-£30, at this year's Scotch Whisky Masters, Malt Riot from the Glasgow Distillery Company won silver and was praised for its 'delicate and fresh' nose.

The whisky is inspired by the malt tax protests that took place in 1725. These started in Glasgow, then spread across the nation, where protesters came together to demand the tax on malted barley be overturned.

Buy here, £24.95

Black Bottle Alchemy series

This new release from Black Bottle has had success on the awards front, as both Double Cask and Island Smoke won a coveted Masters Award from the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters 2021.

Buy here, £26

Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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