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28th March 2025 |
Allan
Bartlett, cooper at Highland distiller
Tomatin, has been named ‘Cooper of the
Year’ at the 2025 Icons of Whisky
Awards.
 Allan Bartlett, cooper at Highland
distillery Tomatin, has been named
‘Cooper of the Year’ at the 2025 Icons
of Whisky Awards.
With 21 years of experience at Tomatin,
Allan honed his craft under the guidance
of former head cooper Iain Duthie, who
dedicated 39 years to the distillery.
Before securing the global title, Allan
was first recognised as ‘Cooper of the
Year for Scotland’ in the 2025 Icons of
Whisky regional awards.
He is only the third person in the
19-year history of the awards to receive
this prestigious honour—and just the
second from a Scotch whisky distillery.
The award, introduced in 2023, was first
claimed by Andy Moore of Loch Lomond
Distillery, followed by Rafa Cabello
from Spain’s Casknolia in 2024.
As Tomatin’s cooper, Allan meticulously
inspects and repairs each cask before it
is filled. Over his tenure, he has
worked on more than 37,000 carefully
selected barrels, ensuring the highest
standards of maturation.
Tomatin is one of only four Scottish
distilleries with an on-site cooperage,
an essential part of its commitment to
quality. By handling barrel repairs
in-house, the distillery maintains
greater control over maturation while
partnering with a broader range of
suppliers than most competitors.
In addition to sourcing casks from
cooperages, Tomatin collaborates
directly with wineries, breweries, and
distilleries to procure barrels for its
Highland single malt, creating a diverse
and distinctive whisky range.
Reflecting on his achievement, Allan
Bartlett said: "To be internationally
recognised by the Icons of Whisky Awards
as a leading figure in the industry is a
real privilege, and I’m thrilled to take
this award home to Tomatin Distillery. I
wouldn’t be here without Iain Duthie,
who taught me the tricks of the trade.
"Coopering is a traditional craft which
requires care, commitment and skill,
taking years to master. I’m proud to
play a role in preserving this important
part of Scotch whisky heritage at
Tomatin."
With a rich heritage tracing back to the
15th century, Tomatin has been home to
generations of dedicated whisky
craftsmen and their families since the
establishment of the current distillery
in 1897.
Organised by Whisky Magazine, the Icons
of Whisky Awards recognise the most
outstanding individuals and locations in
the industry, celebrating excellence
across the sector.
You will find the current
Tomatin whisky range available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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