Glenmorangie and Ardbeg have triumphed at prestigious industry awards, with whiskies from both brands celebrated as category leaders. Judges at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2025 handed coveted trophies – reserved for best-in-class whiskies – to both Glenmorangie The Lasanta 15 Years Old and Ardbeg Seann Chreag 21 Years Old. And the exceptional craft of both Distilleries, owned by The Glenmorangie Company, was further recognised during the competition’s rigorous blind tastings, as their whiskies won a total of 20 accolades classed gold or above.
For 180 years, Glenmorangie’s whisky creators have been endlessly imaginative on their quest for excellence. By continually pushing the boundaries of single malt and elevating the Distillery’s classics, they ensure Glenmorangie is the world’s most highly awarded Highland single malt. This year, at the 30th ISC, their reimagined Glenmorangie The Lasanta was rewarded with a double gold – and the only trophy in the category Single malts between 13 and 20 years old. Now aged 15 years in an enhanced selection of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, The Lasanta was described by judges as “beautifully complex”. They added: “Layers of floral sweetness, rich malt and a treacle-like texture made this a standout single malt, with remarkable balance and finesse.”
Meanwhile, Glenmorangie The Altus 25 Years Old – first tasted by Harrison Ford in the brand’s viral campaign film Once Upon a Time in Scotland – was one of eight other Glenmorangies to strike gold. Marrying whisky aged in bourbon casks with whisky finished in Madeira wine casks, The Altus brings Glenmorangie’s elegant spirit character to a new pinnacle of flavour. The recently released limited edition Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices also won gold. Inspired by global spice markets’ fragrant aromas and rainbow hues, it is the first Glenmorangie finished in four different cask types.
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The ISC, which awards trophies to only 2% of its thousands of entries, also had high praise for Ardbeg, the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt whisky. Named after the highest peak on Islay, the Distillery’s remote island home since 1815, Ardbeg Seann Chreag won double gold – and the trophy for the category Islay single malts 21 years old and over. Matured in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, this Travel Retail exclusive won judges’ admiration with its “complex balance of tarry peat smoke and rich sweetness”.
The Glenmorangie Company’s Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, who oversees both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, said: “The International Spirits Challenge is one of the most prestigious competitions out there – and its awards are hotly contested. So it is a real testament to our efforts that our whiskies have won 20 of these sought-after awards. At Glenmorangie, we never stop searching for ways to make our whiskies even better, and I’m delighted our reimagined Glenmorangie The Lasanta has been recognised as the best in its category. Ardbeg Seann Chreag is a colossal whisky, which takes our Distillery’s most complex smoky, sweet flavours to new heights. It richly deserves a rare and prestigious trophy.”
Glenmorangie The Lasanta 15 Years Old is available to purchase at glenmorangie.com, the Distillery Visitor Centre in Tain, and select retailers. Ardbeg Seann Chreag 21 Years Old is available to buy exclusively in global Travel Retail outlets and at the Distillery Visitor Centre.
