In a blind tasting, our expert panel of ten judges, including whisky writers, industry representatives and specialist retailers, selected two finalists from each Whisky Awards category.
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.
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.
Peter Klas
After a very successful career in TV and film, Peter, who had built up an extensive knowledge of Scotch whisky over the years, was inspired after visiting the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. in 2013 to follow his passion. He opened “Scotia Spirit “ a Scotch Whisky shop and Scottish luxury goods store in Cologne. His shop has been very successful and in 2018 he opened an additional tasting room where they regularly host two whisky tasting sessions for customers daily.
Peter has played a key role in opening the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards to an international audience by hosting our first tasting and voting session in Cologne in 2016. This provided the template for whish has been followed in many other international destinations.
Peter was appointed as a lifetime International Ambassador of Spirit of Speyside in 2018
Marjana-Maja Kozul
“Maja” is Manager of Bishops Arms Gustav in Malmo, Sweden and provides training on whisky for the staff at all 39 of the famous Bishops Arms Bars throughout Sweden.
In 2018 “Maja” was appointed a Brand Ambassador for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. With over 350 whiskies at her bar at Gustav Malmo, she has acquired a deep knowledge of Scotch. Places at her regular whisky tasting events throughout the year are in great demand.
Hamish Marshall
A trained chef and one-time Restauranteur, Hamish Marshall cut his teeth as a sales representative with Lang Brothers Distillers, then part of the Robertson & Baxter Group. The formation of the Macallan Langs Partnership brought an opportunity to join the team that built The Macallan brand into the No 1 Malt Whisky brand on Speyside and Scotland.
After 20 years of spirits, Hamish moved to the wine, joining BRL Hardy’s Europe where he spent 10 years. The company grew significantly to become the No 1 wine brand in the UK and Europe. Hamish became UK Sales Manager only departing when the Hardy family sold the business.
In the final decade before retirement, Hamish consolidated his wide wine trade experience as the UK sales manager, with the UK’s largest wine and spirit bottlers.
Hamish has lived within a strolling distance of the River Spey for almost 50 years and although it was wine that earned him his living for many of those years, whisky and particularly Speyside’s fine offerings, have always been closest to his heart.
Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen joined the retail industry as soon as he turned 18 years old, working with his father and served his time as an Assistant Manager of a Wine Rack off-licence whilst studying at University. The father-son partnership worked, and their Aberdeen store was successful.
When the entire chain entered administration in 2009, the father-son team setup Fountainhall Wines with the backing of an ex-customer. Working independently brought number of new exciting challenges. They bought the business outright in 2017.
In 2013 they opened a store in Stonehaven. Moving to a popular tourist town pushed Steve to learn about whisky as he was asked by tourists for an introduction to whisky or to be offered something a little more special than they could find back home. As he explored the differences between the whisky regions and individual distillery characteristics, Steve’s passion for whisky grew and he has gained the Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s ‘Diploma in Single Malt Whisky’. He hosts whisky tastings and in his spare time enjoys travelling around Scotland visiting distilleries and meeting people involved in whisky production.
Speyside and the Spirit of Speyside Festival have a special place in his heart, and he is happiest when visiting the region.
Frank Scott
For over 30 years Frank Scott has co-owned the Lunar Rogue Pub in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada with his wife Jackie. It has been recognized as one of the "World's Best Whisky Bars" by the Whisky Magazine while Reader's Digest recently recognized it as one of 10 top places to visit in Canada as well as other influential publications. The Lunar Rogue has over 800 whiskies available.
For many years Frank has hosted fun filled whisky tastings throughout North America. He is chairman of the New Brunswick Spirits Festival which has now been running for almost 30 years and is regarded as Canada's oldest and best Spirit Festival. It offers over 375 ultra-premium brands to sample.
Frank has completed the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School and in 2014 Frank and Jackie were honoured to be named the Festival’s International Ambassadors. In 2016 Frank was made a Keeper of the Quaich.
Fergus Simpson
Despite a lifelong interest in whisky, Fergus Simpson only started in the whisky business later in life on returning to his native Scotland.
He worked at William Grant and Sons, in Dufftown, as a senior guide, leading VIP tours and trade visits to The Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie Distilleries. During this time, he gained GCD technical qualifications from The Institute of Brewing and Distilling.
Between two spells working in Dufftown, Fergus managed Duncan Taylor's retail store in Huntly for three years, and was also on their tasting/selection panel. On retiring from William Grant, he was tempted back to Duncan Taylor, and early in 2017 became their first Whisky Ambassador. Since then, he has travelled extensively all over the globe attending whisky shows and conducting masterclasses.
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.
Nicola Young
Nicola Young is a long time Ambassador for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and travels the country exhibiting at whisky festivals and hosting tastings for their members. Nicola is also one half of the Whisky Boys blog, a father and daughter duo which reviews and shares current global whisky news.
Nicola has a very healthy interest in everything Scottish, from holidaying on the fabulous west coast islands, discovering historic literature and reading about Scotland's colourful and sometimes tragic past. However, most importantly she is passionate about the history of Scotch. Currently studying Scottish History at The University of Glasgow she has been able to dedicate more time to her passion and will soon graduate before taking her whisky journey further.
