Whisky heroes honoured at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival awards
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Awards were at the forefront of last night's Spirit of Speyside opening dinner, with both whiskies and individuals dedicated to the industry recognised.
Winners of the 2022 Whisky Awards were announced on the night, after six months of judging from countries as far afield as Germany, Canada and Norway.
Following a day of blind judging at the Station Hotel in Rothes on Tuesday, the whiskies for the 2023 contest were also selected.
As well as the whiskies themselves, awards were handed over to the Ambassador of the Year, International Ambassador, Unsung Hero and for Lifetime Achievement.
The Lifetime Achievement winner was Alan Winchester, who has spent 47 years in the whisky industry and has been involved with 21 distilleries over the years.
He was heavily involved in projects including the reopening of Glen Keith and the building of a new distillery at Dalmunach. He also represented Chivas Brothers on various industry bodies.
Mr Winchester was named The Glenlivet Master Distiller in 2009. He is a Master of the Keepers of the Quaich and also received the coveted International Spirits Challenge Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival named him its ambassador in 2012 due to his long association with the event and his strong support over the years, which has included hosting many events.
The International Ambassador Award was presented to Annabel Meikle, who began her career in the Scotch whisky industry back in 2001with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
She moved on to become the global brand ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg and later set up her own consultancy as the Whisky Belle.
She became the director of the Keepers of the Quaich in 2015, and was presented the award due to her many years promoting the Scotich whisky industry and also the festival.
The Spirit of Speyside Ambassador Award went jointly to Steph and Lauren Murray due to their work in integrating whisky into their own business and also supporting the festival itself.
It was highlighted that during the 10 years since the Murray family aquired the Dowans Hotel in Aberlour, the sisters have been the driving force behind the transformation, with the support of their parents. They have hosted many festival events at the hotel, including some that have raised money for charity.
Unsung Hero was Billy Wright, a distillery worker who has raked the grass, worked in the cooperage and in the warehouse.
Mr Wright has spent his entire working life at The Glenlivet and is still going strong today.
His cheerfulness was said to inspire everyone around him, while he and his wife remain part of the community living no further than a ston'e throw away on the family croft. His passion for The Glenlivet has encouraged his brother, son and nephew to follow in his footsteps.
The winners of the 2022 Whisky Awards are as follows:
12-year-old and under
Gold winner - Benriach 12yo
Silver winner - Benromach 10 yo
13-year-old to 20-year-old
Gold winner - Glenlivet 15yo
Silver winner - Aultmore 21yo
Non-age statement:
Gold winner - Tamnavulin Spanish Granache Cask
Silver winner - Aberlour A'bunadh
Overall winner
Aultmore 21yo
The finalists for the 2023 Whisky Awards are as follows:
12-year-old and under
Cragganmore 12yo
Tamdhu 12yo
13-year-old to 20-year-old
Glenlivet 18yo
Tamdhu 18yo
21-year-old and over
Glenfiddich 21 yo
Glenlivet 25yo
Non-age statement
Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask Finish
Glenfiddich Fire and Cane
