Top 10 award-winning Scotch whiskies of 2015
The latest installment of the annual Global Scotch Whisky Masters saw expert judges blind taste test a record number of entries – these are 10 of the competition’s most highly ranked expressions.
Looking at the latest Global Scotch Whisky Master medalists, we round-up the top 10 award-winning Scotch whiskies of 2015Run by The Spirits Business magazine, The Global Scotch Whisky Masters seeks to award outstanding expressions during a strict and comprehensive blind tasting competition.
Out of a total of more than 180 entries – a record-breaking number across the entire Global Masters series since its launch – a plethora of brands received the ultimate Master accolade, a testament to the prevailing quality in the sector.
While the individual scores of each entrants are not disclosed, these are 10 of the highest ranking Scotch whiskies recognised in the competition – listed in no particular order.
Click through the following pages to view the top 10 award-winning Scotch whiskies of 2015. To see the full list of Global Scotch Whisky Masters 2015 medalists, click here.
Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old
Owner: Burn Stewart Distillers
Medal: Master
One of the stars of the Global Scotch Whisky Masters 2015 show was Burn Stewart Distillers’ Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old. Re-introduced as an no-chill-filtered spirit, with natural colour and a higher strength of 46.3%, the expression is described as having an aroma of Sherry and sweet caramel dessert entwined with oak and polished leather. This leads to an “indulgent” flavour of sweet berries, cream and roasted nut with a “soft and dry” finish.
The Balvenie 30 Year Old
Owner: William Grant & Sons
Medal: Master
Speyside distillery The Balvenie really flexes its muscles with its 30 Year Old expression. Matured in American oak and Sherry casks before being bottled at cask strength, the whisky is said to have a nose of flowers and honey and a “rich, warming palate” offering flavours of cigar leaf, Sherry and peat.
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
Owner: John Dewar & Sons
Medal: Master
John Dewar & Sons, owned by Bermuda-based drinks group Bacardi, launched a 21 Year Old version of Highland single malt Aberfeldy in 2005, and the expression has sat at the core of the brand’s range ever since. With a “fruity” and “zesty” nose, the whisky offers vanilla, honey and smoke on the palate. In August last year, Bacardi revealed it would be releasing several new expressions from its five malt distilleries, including Aberfeldy.
Aberlour 15 Year Old Double Cask Matured
Owner: Pernod Ricard
Medal: Master
Aged in both Bourbon and Sherry oak, Aberlour 15 Year Old Double Cask Matured was the only Master awarded in the Single Malt Speyside: Aged 13-18 Years category. The whisky, which in its final year of ageing sat in specially selected Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks, stood out from the other entrants with its balance of nutty, dry Sherry notes with sweeter cinnamon flavours.
Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt Whisky
Owner: Aldi
Medal: Master
The success of value supermarket Aldi in the Global Scotch whisky Masters 2015 has already started to grab headlines around the world. Its Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt Whisky impressed in what the judges described as a “competitive” and “diverse” category. Bottled exclusively for Aldi, the 12-year-old whisky was praised for its light style with flavours of “cooked apples” and a “hint of spice”.
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old
Owner: Burn Stewart Distillers
Medal: Master
Impressing the panel with its “phenomenal nose”, Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old was awarded a Master medal in the Single Malt Islay: Aged up to 13-18 Years round. Similar to its older award-winning 25 Year Old cousin, the whisky has been re-inroduced as a non-chill-filtered expression and bottled at a higher strength of 46.3%. It has an aroma of “honeyed nuts” and sea salt, with a flavour of Sherry, oak and spice.
Ballantine’s 30
Owner: Pernod Ricard
Medal: Master
Described as an “excellent balance of sweet and spice”, Ballantine’s 30 excelled in the Blended: Aged 19-30 Years round of the competition. Sitting at the higher end of the Ballantine’s portfolio, the 30 Year Old is described by brand owner Pernod Ricard as a “deeper, more complex” whisky compared to its 21 Year Old version, with a “powferful and opulent” fruity flavour.
Dewar’s Signature
Owner: John Dewar & Sons
Medal: Master
Showing that blends can earn their stripes in the ultra-premium Scotch whisky segment, Dewar’s Signature is described as the brand’s “most exquisite blend”. A self-proclaimed blend of some of the rarest whiskies from across Scotland, Dewar’s Signature sits at the pinnacle of the John Dewar & Sons range and boasts a “long, smoky” finish with subtle hints of honey.
Rock Oyster
Owner: Douglas Laing & Co
Medal: Master
Praised by judges for its “fresh and vibrant” notes, Douglas Laing & Co’s Rock Oyster is a blend of “maritime malts” from islands such as Jura, Islay, Arran and Orkney. The expression, described as having an “oceanic character”, was released only this year as part of Laing’s regionally themed blends.
Buchanan’s 18 Year Old Special Reserve Scotch
Owner: Diageo
Medal: Master
Super-premium blended whisky Buchanan’s 18 Year Old Special Reserve is described by brand owner Diageo as “soft on the tongue”. The expression is a blend of 15 individual whiskies, including Dalwhinnie, each of which have aged for a minimum of 18 years.
