Fettercairn Distillery has announced a three-year deal with The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award as headline sponsor, marking the latest step in the Aberdeenshire producer’s growing commitment to supporting Scotland’s music scene and the artists shaping it.
The partnership will see Fettercairn back Scotland’s national music prize, which is now in its 15th year. Produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), The SAY Award celebrates the cultural impact and contribution of outstanding Scottish albums, with more than 280 longlisted records recognised and over £425,000 in prize money awarded to date.
The collaboration builds on Fettercairn’s recent creative ventures linking whisky and music. In 2025, the distillery launched its Vanguard series, exploring flavour-led whisky making, alongside a partnership with previous SAY winners Barry Burns of Mogwai and singer-songwriter Kathryn Joseph. The artists collaborated on Lorica, a specially commissioned piece of music inspired by the tasting notes of the Vanguard whisky.
Thom Watt, Global Brand Controller at Fettercairn, said: “Last year, we worked with two iconic Scottish artists, Kathryn Joseph and Barry Burns, on Lorica – a specially commissioned piece of music inspired by the tasting notes of our Vanguard whisky. That project showed us just how much whisky and music have in common and we look forward to continuing to explore that connection.
“We are passionate believers in celebrating the creativity, ingenuity and inclusive culture of Scotland, not to mention the joy of discovering a life-changing new album. These shared values are why everyone at Fettercairn is absolutely delighted to be supporting The SAY Award as it returns to Dundee, only 35 miles from the distillery, in its landmark 15th year. We can’t wait to support and celebrate some fantastic Scottish albums.”
The SAY Award Ceremony will return to Dundee’s Caird Hall on Thursday 5 November 2026, where last year’s winner, Kai Reesu, is set to perform in front of an audience of more than 1,500 fans and industry professionals.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the SMIA, added: “It’s hard to believe that 2026 marks 15 years of SAY. To date, 280 longlisted albums have been celebrated and championed, and over £425,000 in prize money has been distributed to outstanding Scottish artists.
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“Music and whisky have always gone hand in hand for me – there’s nothing quite like putting on a record with a dram in hand, and I know that’s true for so many people across Scotland and beyond. That’s what makes a partner like Fettercairn so fitting for SAY – they understand that shared culture of discovery, whether that’s a new whisky or a new favourite album.
“We’re delighted to be returning to Dundee’s Caird Hall this November for a landmark celebration, and to be welcoming Fettercairn on board as our headline partner.”
Lorica by Barry Burns and Kathryn Joseph is available on streaming platforms, with tickets for the 2026 ceremony now on sale via Dundee Box Office.
