Glasgow-based independent whisky bottler Brave New Spirits is celebrating this week after receiving several major awards in an international competition.
At the World Whiskies Awards annual announcement in Edinburgh on 5 December, the company received two “Icons of Whisky – Scotland” awards for the company, along with several additional awards for their whiskies following a series of blind tastings.
The Icons of Whisky awards celebrate the achievements of people and companies across the industry and were presented at the iconic Signet Library in Edinburgh’s historic old town. Brave New Spirits were named as “Independent Bottler of The Year” and received a second Icons award for their international sales team.
Further to the Icon announcements, two BNS whiskies received “Best in Category” awards following a series of blind tastings. Cask Masters North British 13yo received the award for best Single Cask Single Grain, whilst their Ardlair cask, bottled as The Untamed Grace as part of their WhiskyHeroes range, was named as best Highland Single Cask Single Malt.
The World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky are announced by Whisky Magazine each year, with events taking place in Scotland, Ireland, Japan, The USA and Asia. The winning whiskies and companies from each part of the world are then reviewed one final time, prior to the global winners being announced ahead of Whisky Live London in March 2026.
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“These awards mean such a lot for our young, small company” said a spokesperson for Brave New Spirits. “To have our business, sales team and whiskies recognised in such a competitive field, alongside some of the most respected names in our industry, is a testament to the efforts of our colleagues and distribution partners around the world.”
Brave New Spirits are currently planning their first releases of 2026, along with finalising the construction on Witchburn Distillery in Campbeltown, said to be the largest independent distillery project in Scotland for over 20 years.
BNS whiskies are now available in over 30 countries, with their first shipments to the USA and Spain scheduled for early 2026.
