Stirling Distillery’s unaged whisky has been named Best Scottish New Make Spirit at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards 2025.
Competing against some of the world’s top whisky makers, the win is a remarkable achievement for one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries, and for 19-year-old distiller Hugo McCann, son of founders, June and Cameron McCann. Their daughter, Elle McCann, also serves as distillery manager.
Reflecting on the honour, Cameron McCann said: “We are immensely proud to have been recognised as Scotland’s Best New Make Spirit. To stand alongside the best whiskies in the world is a fantastic achievement for our small, independent distillery.
“This award is a testament to the dedication and skill of our team, particularly Hugo, whose talent continues to shine. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey for Stirling Distillery as we establish ourselves in the whisky world.”
Distilled in the shadow of Stirling Castle, using water sourced from the heart of Stirling, the distillery’s whisky is said to offer a ‘strong sense of place, combined with expert craftsmanship’, leading to a product that has received high praise from industry experts and whisky enthusiasts alike.
To mark this achievement, Stirling Distillery plans to release a limited number of casks, to be filled in early 2026 with the award-winning New Make Spirit, offering whisky fans the opportunity to invest in the distillery’s future. Cask Club members will receive first access to these exclusive releases.
