It’s that time of year when whiskies from around the world are put under the microscope and rigorously judged on nose, palate, and finish. Alongside the Asian entries, hundreds of Scotch drams were poured blind, revealing the best Scotch whiskies of 2026 according to The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026. You’ll find the results laid out below.
During The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026, distilleries from Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown, the Highlands, and beyond once again proved why Scotch is so beloved. Household names like The Glenlivet, Aberlour, Glen Scotia, Talisker, and Lagavulin took home Master Awards, while several lesser-known whiskies also impressed with standout performances.
Scotch continues to raise the bar
The Scotch Whisky Masters is part of
The Global Spirits Masters Competitions. All entries are tasted blind by panels of seasoned judges from across the drinks industry. Brand name, packaging, and reputation don’t factor in, only what’s in the glass matters.
The 2026 edition delivered a wealth of Master and Gold medals. Scottish single malts especially shone, with Speyside producing by far the most winners.
Glen Scotia takes top honors
If one whisky must be crowned the big winner of The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026, it’s Glen Scotia.
The Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival Edition 2026 not only received a Master Award, it was later named Taste Master as well. That placed this Campbeltown single malt right at the top among the best whiskies in the entire competition.
The judges found notes of rich fruit, biscuit, leather, and spice. Remarkably, it wasn’t Glen Scotia’s only headline result. Glen Scotia Harbour, Glen Scotia 12 Years Old, and Glen Scotia 15 Years Old also earned Master Awards.
The Glenlivet and Aberlour dominate Speyside
Campbeltown claimed the top prize, but in sheer volume of medals, Speyside was the true powerhouse.
The Glenlivet racked up Master Awards across a range of ages—12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20 and 25 years old among them. Aberlour was on equally fine form. Both Aberlour A’Bunadh and A’Bunadh Alba received a Master, as did Aberlour 18 Years Old Double Sherry Cask Finish.
Other notable Speyside Master winners included Tomintoul 10 Years Old, Glenfarclas 15 Years Old, and The GlenAllachie 15 Years Old.
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What are the best Scotch whiskies of 2026?
Below is a complete overview of all Master and Gold medal winners at The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026, listed by category.
Blended – No Age Statement
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Chivas Brothers | Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute Original Reserve | Master |
| Sassenach Spirits | The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky | Master |
| InchDairnie Whisky | Islay Mist Original Blended Scotch Whisky | Gold |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Sir Edward’s Smoky Blended Scotch Whisky | Gold |
| The Borders Distillery | Right As Rain | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask Selection | Gold |
| Terroirs Distillers | Highland Queen Classic Blend | Gold |
| Diageo | Johnnie Walker Blue Label | Gold |
| Diageo | Old Parr Silver | Gold |
| Diageo | White Horse – Fine Old | Gold |
| Diageo | Buchanans Green Seal | Gold |
Blended – Aged Up to 12 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Bardinet | Sir Edward’s 12 Years-Old Blended Scotch Whisky | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s 7 Year Old American Barrel | Gold |
| Diageo | Old Parr 12 Year Old | Gold |
| Diageo | Johnnie Walker Black Label | Gold |
Blended – Aged Between 13 and 18 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Diageo | Old Parr 18 Year Old | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Chivas Regal XV | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Chivas Regal Extra Sherry Cask Selection | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s 17 Year Old | Gold |
| The GlenAllachie Distillers | White Heather 15 Years Old | Gold |
Blended – Aged Between 19 and 30 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Chivas Brothers | Royal Salute 21 Years Old Signature Blend | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Royal Salute 23 Years Old Taiwanese Edition | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Royal Salute 30 Years Old Key to the Kingdom | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Chivas Regal 25 Years Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s 23 Years Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s 30 Years Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Royal Salute 21 Years Old Blended Grain | Gold |
Blended – Standard, Premium, Super-Premium and Ultra-Premium
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Standard | InchDairnie Whisky | Lauder’s Blended Scotch Whisky | Gold |
| Standard | Quality Spirits International | Clan MacGregor | Gold |
| Premium | Diageo | Johnnie Walker Black Label | Gold |
| Super-Premium | Diageo | Johnnie Walker Black Ruby | Master |
| Ultra-Premium | Diageo | Johnnie Walker Blue Label | Master |
Blended Malt
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| No Age Statement | Coles | Black Hound Blended Malt Scotch Whisky | Gold |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | The GlenAllachie Distillers | MacNair’s Lum Reek 12 Years Old | Gold |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | The GlenAllachie Distillers | MacNair’s Lum Reek 10-Years Old Cask Strength Batch 3 | Gold |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | Scotch Malt Whisky Society | Batch 40 – Fruit Bomb | Gold |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | Scotch Malt Whisky Society | Batch 39 – The Five Regions | Gold |
| Ultra-Premium | Brave New Spirits | Cask Masters Campbeltown 11YO Festival Release | Gold |
Single Grain and Blended Grain
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Single Grain – No Age Statement | Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s Single Distillery | Gold |
| Single Grain – Aged Up to 12 Years | Scotch Malt Whisky Society | Batch 41 – Incognito | Gold |
| Blended Grain – Ultra-Premium | Atom Brands | That Boutique-y Whisky Company Blended Grain | Master |
| Blended Grain – Ultra-Premium | Brave New Spirits | Whisky Of Voodoo Coven Of The Red Veil | Gold |
Speyside – No Age Statement
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour A’Bunadh Alba | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour A’Bunadh | Master |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Old Ballantruan Speyside Single Malt Whisky | Gold |
| J&G Grant | Glenfarclas 105 | Gold |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Tomintoul Cigar Malt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky | Gold |
Speyside – Aged Up to 12 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Tomintoul 10 Years Old Speyside Single Malt | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 12 Years Old Rum and Bourbon Cask Selection (Taiwan Exclusive) | Master |
| Berry Bros. & Rudd | Classic Sherry Cask 12 Year Old | Master |
| Whisky 1901 | Dailuaine | Master |
| Speyside Distillers | Spey 12 Years Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s Single Malt Glenburgie 12 Year Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 12 Years Old Double Oak | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 12 Years Old Provence Edition | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 12 Years Old Rum Cask (GTR Exclusive) | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour 12 Years Old Double Cask Matured | Gold |
| Diageo | The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Years Old | Gold |
| Diageo | The Singleton of Glendullan 12 Years Old | Gold |
| J&G Grant | Glenfarclas 12 Years Old | Gold |
| The GlenAllachie Distillers | Meikle Tòir The Chinquapin One | Gold |
| The GlenAllachie Distillers | Meikle Tòir The Original | Gold |
Speyside – Aged Between 13 and 18 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 15 Years Old Distillery Exclusive 1st Fill European Oak | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 15 Years Old Sherry Cask (Taiwan Exclusive) | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 16 Years Old Distillery Exclusive Double Oak | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s Single Malt Glenburgie 18 Years Old | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 14 Years Old Cask Masters Collection (GTR Exclusive) | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 16 Years Old Cask Masters Collection (GTR Exclusive) | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour 18 Years Old Double Sherry Cask Finish | Master |
| J&G Grant | Glenfarclas 15 Years Old | Master |
| The GlenAllachie Distillers | The GlenAllachie 15 Years Old | Master |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Tomintoul 14 Year Old | Gold |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old | Gold |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Tomintoul 16 Year Old | Gold |
| Berry Bros. & Rudd | Classic Speyside Traditional Cask 16 Year Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 17 Years Old Small Batch | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Ballantine’s Single Malt Glenburgie 15 Year Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 14 Years Old Cognac Cask | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 15 Years Old French Oak Reserve | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 13 Years Old Sherry Cask (Taiwan Exclusive) | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 13 Years Old Triple Cask | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour 14 Years Old Double Cask Matured | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour 16 Years Old Double Cask Matured | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour 13 Years Old (Travel Retail Exclusive) | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Aberlour 16 Years Old (Travel Retail Exclusive) | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Longmorn 18 Years Old | Gold |
| Diageo | The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Years Old | Gold |
| Elixir Distillers | Tormore Aged 16 Years | Gold |
| J&G Grant | Glenfarclas 17 Years Old | Gold |
| Whisky 1901 | Whisky 1901 Tamnavulin | Gold |
Speyside – Aged Between 19 and 30 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 25 Years Old Sample Room Collection | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | Longmorn 22 Year Old | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 20 Year Old Small Batch | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 19 Year Old Small Batch | Master |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Sample Room Collection | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Longmorn 30 Year Old | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | The Glenlivet 19 Year Old Cask Masters Collection (GTR Exclusive) | Gold |
| Diageo | The Singleton of Dufftown 21 Year Old | Gold |
| Gordon & MacPhail | Benromach 21 Years Old | Gold |
| J&G Grant | Glenfarclas 25 Years Old | Gold |
Other Speyside categories
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Standard | Quality Spirits International | Spey River Sherry Cask | Gold |
| Premium | Aceo Spirits | Osprey 10 Years Old Sherry Cask Maturation | Gold |
| Single Cask | Brave New Spirits | WhiskyHeroes The Malt Marauder Glen Moray 11YO | Master |
| Cask Strength | Speyside Distillers | Spey Brume Dorée 12 Years Old | Gold |
Highlands & Islands – Aged Up to 12 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Coles | Levenside 10YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky | Master |
| Diageo | Talisker 10 Year Old | Master |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam 10 Year Old | Gold |
| Coles | Levenside Special Reserve Single Scotch Whisky | Gold |
| Loch Lomond Group | Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Perfectly Balanced | Gold |
| Whisky 1901 | Whisky 1901 Ardmore | Gold |
| Whisky 1901 | Whisky 1901 Glen Garioch | Gold |
Highlands & Islands – Aged Between 13 and 18 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam 18 Years Old | Master |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam 17 Years Old Réserve de Calvados | Gold |
| Loch Lomond Group | Loch Lomond 18 Years Old | Gold |
| Tullibardine | 15 Years Old | Gold |
| Tullibardine | 18 Years Old | Gold |
Highlands & Islands – Aged Between 19 and 30 Years
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Cartel Bros | The GlenJourneys | Gold |
| Chivas Brothers | Scapa 21 Years Old | Gold |
Highlands & Islands – No Age Statement
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam American Oak Reserve | Master |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam Reserva Andalucía | Gold |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam Reserva PX | Gold |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam Reserva de Porto Branco | Gold |
| Angus Dundee Distillers | Glencadam Reserva de Porto Tawny | Gold |
| Loch Lomond Group | Loch Lomond The Original Triple Oak | Gold |
| Tullibardine | Sovereign | Gold |
Highlands & Islands – Premium
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Loch Lomond Group | Loch Lomond 12 Years Old | Gold |
Campbeltown
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Single Malt | Coles | Glen Scotia Harbour Single Malt Scotch Whisky | Master |
| Special Edition | Loch Lomond Group | Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival Edition 2026 | Master & Taste Master |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | Loch Lomond Group | Glen Scotia 12 Year Old | Master |
| Aged Between 13 and 18 Years | Loch Lomond Group | Glen Scotia 15 Year Old | |
Islay – No Age Statement
| Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Ardnahoe Distillery | Ardnahoe Infinite Loch | Gold |
| Ardnahoe Distillery | Ardnahoe Bholsa | Gold |
| Elixir Distillers | Port Askaig Sherry Cask | Gold |
| Elixir Distillers | Port Askaig 100 Proof | Gold |
| Kilchoman Distillery | Kilchoman Machir Bay | Gold |
| Kilchoman Distillery | Kilchoman Batch Strength | Gold |
Other Islay categories
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | Kilchoman Distillery | Kilchoman Rockside 11 Years Old | Master |
| Aged Up to 12 Years | Elixir Distillers | Port Askaig Aged 8 Years | Gold |
| Aged Between 13 and 18 Years | Diageo | Lagavulin 16 Year Old | Master |
| Aged Between 13 and 18 Years | Elixir Distillers | Port Askaig Aged 15 Years | Gold |
| Premium | Berry Bros. & Rudd | Classic Islay Traditional Cask | Gold |
| Cask Strength | Ardnahoe Distillery | Ardnahoe Cask Strength | Gold |
Lowlands and Scottish Rye
| Category | Distillery/brand | Whisky | Medal |
| Lowlands – Aged Up to 12 Years | InchDairnie Whisky | KinGlassie Double Matured | Gold |
| Lowlands – Aged Up to 12 Years | InchDairnie Whisky | KinGlassie Raw | Gold |
| Rye | InchDairnie Whisky | RyeLaw Scottish Rye Whisky Vintage 2017 | Gold |
Scotland reaffirms its whisky credentials
The Scotch Whisky Masters 2026 once again highlights the astonishing breadth of Scotch whisky. Hundreds of medals were awarded to countless distilleries. When it comes to quality, Scotch offers a world of flavor: everything from blends and single grains to smoky Islay malts and classic Speyside single malts.
So tell us: have you tasted any of these award-winning Scotch whiskies yet, and which one will you pour next? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
