In a blind tasting, our expert panel of nine judges, including whisky writers, industry representatives and specialist retailers, selected two finalists from each Whisky Awards category.
Justine Hazlehurst
Justine Hazlehurst is the founder of Kask Whisky, a whisky events company based in Edinburgh. As a proud citizen of Leith, she recently started the Leith Whisky Trail – walking tours, focusing on the history of the brokers, blenders and bottlers of what was once a thriving whisky district, which culminate in a tasting of some ‘blast from the past’ drams all linked to the area.
Having worked in Fife for many years before giving up her teaching career to pursue her passion to work in the world of whisky, Justine’s love of the Kingdom led her to set up the Fife Whisky Trail as well as jointly establishing the Fife Whisky Festival with Karen Somerville. In addition to writing for her own blog, Justine is a regular contributor to Malt, offering honest opinions and reviews of whisky.
Although since leaving teaching, Justine now drinks significantly less whisky, she believes that bottles of whisky should be opened, poured, shared and drunk in good company.
Ian Wisniewski
An unexpected assignment from a drinks magazine when he was starting out in journalism steered Ian Wisniewski into the industry where he has remained. His first visit to a malt whisky distillery was a turning point: he found it so fascinating that he decided he had to learn as much about Scotch whisky as he could, and he is still learning, visiting distilleries as often as possible and constantly asking questions.
Ian is a freelance writer, broadcaster and consultant, focusing on spirits, particularly Scotch whisky, vodka and gin, and contributes regularly to Whisky Magazine (UK and French editions) and Malt Whisky Yearbook, has written four books on whisky, including The Whisky Dictionary, as well as contributing to Michael Jackson’s Encyclopaedia of Whisky. He conducts tutored tastings, classes and courses on various spirits, and has given presentations at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Craft Expo London and The Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference, at which he was also the official conference journalist in 2017. He judges spirits in competitions including the World Gin Awards, The International Wine and Spirits Competition and is Chairman of the Vodka judges at the International Spirits Challenge (since 2005). As a regular visitor to distilleries he is always eager to learn more about the production process, which is one of his favourite subjects. He is a Master of the Quaich.
Ronnie Routledge
Ronnie Routledge's love of whisky has kept him working in the industry for 35 years in various roles for a number of well-known Independent bottlers and distilleries.
Having worked with Gordon & MacPhail’s diverse portfolio and Benromach distillery for many years in his earlier life gave him the foundations and knowledge to progress his career in various avenues.
Ronnie went on to work with Duncan Taylor Independent bottlers for two separate stints and worked directly for Glenglassaugh, Benriach and Glendronach distilleries before diversifying into the cask brokering world where he is currently “Head of Whisky” for Dalkeith Brokerage. His skills include Quality control, marketing, product development as well as performing ambassador roles.
He was honoured with a “Keeper of the Quaich” title in 2003 and has been an industry judge for over 20 years.
Rosalind Erskine
Rosalind is a Glasgow-based magazine editor turned digital editor, content creator and broadcaster who has plied her trade in some of the biggest cities in the world. After three years in London working in magazine publishing with big brands such as Hearst, Time Inc and Conde Nast, she spent three and a half years as editor of Emirates Home in Dubai where she led the complete re-design. Currently Rosalind writes about all things Scottish food and drink for the Scotsman. As well as this she co-created, co-produces and hosts the newspaper’s successful and award-nominated podcast Scran. Guests on this food and drink focused podcast include Outlander star Sam Heughan, Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins, celebrity chef Michel Roux Junior and master blender Dr Rachel Barrie.
Adam O'Connell
Adam O'Connell
Adam O'Connell has been writing for Master of Malt for over five years, contributing over 500 articles to its award-winning online blog, and tasting all kinds of whiskies, gins, rums, Tequilas, mezcals, brandies, vodkas, wines, beers, and cocktails along the way.
Karen Somerville
Karen Somerville is a Co-Director of The Fife Whisky Festival, with Justine Hazlehurst, the first female lead whisky Festival of its kind.
Scotch whisky and Scottish glassware are her favourite things. Her goal is to create products for the ultimate gifting experience.
Angels' Share Glass was founded by father and daughter, and is very much a family business with Karen’s husband now part of the team. Her father, Tom Young MBE, is a master glassblower and craftsman who has been manufacturing glass since 1979.
The company is a specialist glass manufacturer supplying glass worldwide. It designs pieces for many recognised companies, providing customers with premium handmade glassware and first-class customer service. Their product range includes distilling glassware like spirit bowls as well as a full branding and private labelling services and a full range of premium whisky giftware and glassware for the spirits industry, tourism retailers and the corporate gift market.
Karen has won a number of accolades including Women's Enterprise Scotland Ambassador.
Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson took up an accounting position with Tomatin in 1988, two years after the formation of the new company at the distillery. He progressed to company secretary and in 2009 was appointed MD of J & W Hardie Ltd, the company formed to progress the branded side of Tomatin’s business.
Next year Robert was appointed CEO of Tomatin and merged the two companies together with a revised strategy of stock evaluation, wood policy, sustainable energy and brand building. The company has re-emerged as a well-known brand winning a series of prestigious Scotch Whisky awards at home and overseas.
In 2018 Robert stepped down from the CEO position but continued for another year as a non-executive Director.
Robert is a Keeper of the Quaich and a supporter of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
John Boyle
John Boyle is Head of Drinks Division for Scottish Field Magazine, Cask & Still Magazine and The Cask & Still App. Scottish Field magazine has covered Scotland's luxury heritage for over 100 years, reviewing the latest and greatest lifestyle choices available in Scotland. Some of the regular features include Scottish fine dining, interior designs of the great Scottish manor houses, outdoor activities across the highlands and travel advice for those looking to discover the true and stunning beauty of Scotland.
Cask & Still Magazine is Scotland’s premier whisky and spirits magazine, available in distillery visitor centres, shops, bars and hotels across the country and dedicated to bringing news on Scotland's whisky and spirits industry. The CASK&Still App is the ultimate pocket guide on Scotland’s national drink, with trails covering some of our favourite parts of Scotland, and a mission to share unrivalled knowledge of Scottish whiskies, gins and rums with our community of the drink curious. We sup in these bars, and we spend our hard-earned cash in these shops, so if you want to know the best places to visit, drink, nose, taste and purchase your favourite spirits, then the CASK&Still App is all you need - available as a free download on Apple and Android.
Euan Duguid
Euan Duguid is the whisky writer for The Scots Magazine, the oldest magazine in the world.
Founded in 1739, the publication not only celebrates the nation’s rich heritage but promotes the new face of Scotland - and its vibrant future - to a global readership.
Euan’s malt musings blend his love of a good dram with his perennial yearning for a good yarn.
He introduces readers to a different whisky (and occasionally gin) each month - as well as the big characters, compelling tales and anecdotes that abound in the industry.
It’s a lifelong instinct for storytelling, honed during his previous role as an intrepid reporter of 12 years for a national newspaper.
In between an array of foreign assignments, ranging from frontline dispatches from Afghanistan, an encounter with a reviled cannibal war lord in deepest Africa to being skelped with serious sun burn in the Falklands, Euan could regularly be found embedded in Scotland’s whisky producing regions.
