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The Spirit of
Speyside Awards judging panel has
narrowed down the entries to eight
whiskies which will now go forward for
the peoples vote.
With Christmas fast approaching I
thought that this would be of interest
if you are looking to buy yourself
something special to dram over the
holiday season or perhaps buy a gift for
a friend of family member, a panel of
leading whisky experts has shortlisted
eight Speyside single malt whiskies in
the international Spirit of Speyside
Whisky Awards which will all now go
forward for the people's vote.
The initial judging process took place
earlier this month in the heart of
Speyside where 10 expert whisky writers,
industry representatives and specialist
retailers carried out a rigorous blind
tasting of 41 entries in total, before
scoring each whisky on its character and
flavour.
Over the next six months, the two
finalists in each category will be put
forward for judging by whisky drinkers
around the world, visiting destinations
in the UK and Europe and as far afield
as India and Canada. The Spirit of
Speyside Whisky Awards are the only
industry awards in the world to give
consumers the final say when it comes to
recognising the best Speyside Whiskies.
The best malts to be produced in this
world-famous whisky-making region will
then be unveiled at the opening ceremony
of the 2020 Spirit of Speyside Whisky
Festival in April after combining the
wisdom of whisky experts with
international consumers’ preferences.
This year’s category finalists which are
perhaps worth seeking out for yourself
if you haven't already tried them
include:
- 12 Years Old and Under: Aberlour
10 Year Old and Cardhu 12 Year Old
- 13 to 20 Years Old: Benromach 15
Year Old and Glenallachie 15 Year
Old
- 21 Years Old and Over: Glenfiddich
Grand Cru 23 Year Old and Glenfarclas 25
Year Old
- Non Age Statement: Tamnavulin
Sherry Cask Edition and Cardhu Amber
Rock
James Campbell, Chairman at The
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival,
said: "It was almost impossible to pick
just two finalists in each Awards
category this year - the standard of
whisky produced here in Speyside by our
local craftsmen and women is truly
exceptional.
"From Rome to Dublin, Amsterdam to
Cologne and Oslo to New Brunswick in
Canada, almost 1000 international whisky
lovers cast their votes last year, in
addition to the sessions held in
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Speyside itself.
We hope to increase this reach for the
2020 Awards, are we’re very much looking
forward to opening up the judging to
consumers over the next six months
before celebrating the winners at what
we believe is the finest whisky festival
in the world."
Annabel Meikle, Director of Keepers of
the Quaich said: "I was particularly
impressed with the calibre of entries
this year which encompassed a broad
spectrum of impressive aroma and
flavour. As the first stage of the
judging process is completely blind, it
allows us as judges to remain impartial.
It has been a privilege to take part
again this year and I’m excited to find
out how international whisky drinkers
voted at the Festival next year."
The winning whiskies in each category
will be announced at the opening of the
2020 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
in late April, meanwhile if you fancy
trying them for yourself you will find them available now from
specialist online whisky retailers
such as
The Whisky Exchange,
The Whisky Shop
and
Master of Malt
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