BenRiach confirms its icon status with Whisky Magazine award

Published on Friday 27 February 2009 20:33

CELEBRATIONS will no doubt be continuing this weekend at BenRiach after the Elgin distillery was named as an "icon of whisky" by Whisky Magazine.

After scooping the Scottish title, BenRiach went on to beat the Nikka whisky distillery company, of Japan, and the Heaven Hill distillery, from Kentucky, in the world final of the magazine's competition.

The prize is another feather in the cap of industry veteran Billy Walker, the master blender and managing director behind BenRiach, above right.

Walker said: "We are delighted to be recognised by such a prestigious whisky publication.

"The award reflects the incredibly hard work of our team and is the culmination of a fantastic five-year adventure."

Founded in 1898, BenRiach was bought by Walker – and Geoff Bell and Wayne Kieswetter, his South African business partners – from Chivas Brothers in 2004.

Last year, their Larbert-based company bought GlenDronach distillery, at Forgue, in Aberdeenshire, from Chivas Brothers.