Highland Queen blends come out on top at two global industry award ceremonies
Published Date: 7th June 2018

Two Highland Queen blended scotch whiskies have impressed the judging panels at two internationally acclaimed industry awards ceremonies – the International Spirits Challenge and The Scotch Whisky Masters.
Highland Queen Sherry Cask Finish, which has been extra-matured in the specially selected Spanish sherry casks for a minimum of 9 months, won the gold medal at both awards ceremonies. The expression has continued to impress some of the industry’s most respected judges with its sweet, spicy flavour profile which boasts indulgent notes of marzipan and dried fruit. This year marks the blend’s second consecutive Gold award at The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters, and last year it also won Silver Outstanding at the International Wine and Spirits Challenge and Silver at International Spirits Challenge.
The brand’s core expression, Highland Queen Blended Scotch Whisky, was also awarded the silver medal by both expert judging panels following a blind tasting, affirming itself as a delicious and classic blend.
Matthew Johns, Commercial Director at Highland Queen said: “Winning two gold and two silver medals at spirits award ceremonies of this calibre is fantastic news. Both the classic blend and sherry cask finish are continuing to impress top judges as well as consumers around the world in what is a very competitive market of quality blended scotch whiskies.
The International Spirits Challenge is recognised as a leading and influential spirits competition around the world which receives more than 150 entries from over 70 countries each year and is blindly judged by renowned spirits experts.
The Scotch Whisky Masters, part of the Global Spirits Masters has continued to seek and reward excellence from across the world, encouraging recognition among consumers and trade for quality in spirits. For the past decade, the competition has sought to retain its individuality as the only blind spirits tasting competition to use carefully selected and completely independent judges, including experienced bartenders, spirits journalists, and spirits educators.
Latest Whisky News
Aberlour - 24th September 2026
Crafted By Masters, Perfected By Time; Aberlour Unveils Its Oldest Permanent Expressions
Glenmorangie - 24th September 2026
Glenmorangie Distillery reveals its oldest-ever single malt whisky at 50 years old
Penderyn Distillery - 23rd September 2026
NINE: Liverpool and Wales Legend Ian Rush Launches Welsh Single Malt Whisky with Penderyn Distillery
Uile-bheist Distillery - 17th September 2026
Uile-bheist Distillery: Inverness Distillery Revamps As Tour Demand Doubles
The Glenlivet - 16th September 2026
The Glenlivet Captures The Sun-Soaked Spirit Of Provence In New Limited Edition 12 Year Old
Aceo Spirits - 15th September 2026
Aceo Spirits Releases New Island Peat Edition of Smoky Scot
Glen Scotia - 14th September 2026![]()
Glen Scotia Distillery unveils penultimate expression in Icons of Campbeltown series
Blind Summit Whisky - 9th September 2026
Blind Summit Whisky: Leith Whisky Bottler Creates Two Rare 35-Year-Old Macallan Whiskies From A Single Cask
Arbikie Distillery - 7th September 2026
Arbikie Unveils First-Ever Single Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Chivas Regal - 2nd September 2026
Charles Leclerc And Hikaru Nakamura Went Head-To-Head In A First-Of-Its-Kind Chivas Regal Showdown At Monza
The Dalmore - 1st September 2026
The Dalmore Reveal Fourth And Final Cask Curation Series: The Madeira Cask Edition
<< Read more latest news at Planet Whiskies
Trip to Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Distillery of the Month: September 2024
Tomintoul Distillery Tour
Planet Whiskies had a fantastic trip up to the Speyside Whisky region of Scotland in February 2024 to visit Angus Dundee Distillers Tomintoul Distillery within the Cairngorms National Park. Then, after the distillery tour and tasting, which was hosted by Iain Forteath, the master blender of Tomintoul, our press group travelled and stayed the night at the recently bought country home of Tomintoul House in the Aultmore Estate (previously called Aultmore House). Planet Whiskies has made the Tomintoul Distillery, Distillery of the Month for both March/April 2024.
Distillery of the Month: February 2024
Bushmills Distillery Tour
Planet Whiskies visited the new Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland on the 25th and 26th of September. Read our review of the experience of Bushmills and Northern Ireland at Planet Whiskies tour of Bushmills and Northern Ireland
You can also read the whole section about Bushmills Distillery.
Drams Delivered To Your Door
Drams Delivered To Your Door - The World’s Biggest Whisky Club Drops New Monthly Subscription Service

Whisky enthusiasts can now take their passion to the next level and have exceptional cask strength single malt whiskies delivered to their doors every month thanks to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's new 'Drop & Dram' subscription service.
Click for more details
Whisky Tasting Sets
Stay Connected
Get Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest news, popular news and exclusive updates.
























