A range of distillers and brewers have been named as finalists in the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2026.
Now in its 25th year, The Excellence Awards remain the industry’s most coveted recognition of ‘quality, craft and commercial ambition’.
This year’s drinks finalists span island gin distillers and whisky makers to craft brewers and cider innovators, reflecting the ‘breadth and confidence of Scotland’s increasingly diverse drinks sector’.
In Distilling Product of the Year (Dark Spirits), the three finalists are Deerness Distillery from Orkney, shortlisted for its Orcadian Moon Coffee Liqueur; Isle of Barra Distillers, for its Tales of the Tides Whisky – Pabbay; and, Woven Whisky Makers, with its WXC Coffee Infused Whisky.
The White Spirits category showcases the strength of Scotland’s gin scene, with a shortlist featuring Lussa Gin, distilled on the Isle of Jura by an all-female team; Isle of Skye Distillers‘ Misty Isle Salty and Sweet Gin; and the Orkney Gin Company’s Aatta Gin.
In the Beer & Cider Product of the Year, Edinburgh Cider Co is shortlisted for its Princes St Pineapple Cider; Six Degrees North is recognised for its Raspberry Beer; and St Andrews Brewing Company is in with its Yippie IPA.
Beyond the three drink-specific categories, two drinks businesses have been recognised in the wider business awards.
Jackton Distillery, home of RAER Scotch Whisky, has been shortlisted in both Best for Scottish (Independent Business of the Year) and Food Tourism Business of the Year, for its grain-to-glass model, female-led leadership and destination appeal in South Lanarkshire.
MD at Jackton, Jaynie Kean, is also shortlisted for Young Talent of the Year, while the Amber Restaurant and Whisky Bar at The Scotch Whisky Experience, currently celebrating 25 years on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, has also been shortlisted in the Food Tourism Business of the Year category.
See the full shortlist of finalists here.
Chief executive at SF&D Iain Baxter said: “The Excellence Awards serve as a reminder of just how much talent exists right across Scotland, from our islands and highlands to our cities and farming heartlands.
“Behind every nomination is a business that has worked hard to get here, and that deserves to be recognised. Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists.”
This year’s winners will be announced at an awards night in Glasgow in September, hosted by Saturday Kitchen presenter Matt Tebbutt.
