Annandale Distillery
DOUBLE SHORTLIST SUCCESS FOR ANNANDALE DISTILLERY AT THE 2026 SCOTTISH WHISKY AWARDS
by Lee Medd Sep 9 
3 mins
3 mins 
Annandale Distillery is celebrating after securing two finalist spots in the prestigious 2026 Scottish Whisky Awards—the nation’s premier independent competition celebrating excellence, heritage, and innovation across the Scotch whisky industry.
In the fiercely contested Single Cask Scotch 12 and Under category, Annandale earned double recognition for:
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Man O’ Words Double Oaked ex-Bourbon 2018 (Cask 513)
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Man O’ Words Double Oaked ex-Bourbon 2018 (Cask 301)
Having two individual casks from the exact same 2018 distillation year shortlisted side-by-side highlights the true artistry of Single Cask, Single Malt Scotch whisky. Where blended batches aim for uniformity, single cask releases celebrate unrepeatable individuality. Each cask breathes and matures in its own distinct micro-environment within the bonded warehouse, yielding a singular expression of time, oak, and craft that can never be replicated once the bottle is emptied.
Both finalist whiskies feature Annandale’s signature unpeated spirit style—named Man O’ Words in honour of local Dumfriesshire icon and Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, who once walked the very soil of Annandale as an exciseman.
The selected whiskies showcase Annandale’s innovative wood management. Unlike standard ex-bourbon barrels, these casks undergo a specialised “double oaked” toasting process during cooperage. The intense heat breaks down the structural oak into caramelised wood sugars deep within the staves, imparting remarkable sweetness, rich natural colour, and velvety depth to the spirit without requiring decades in the wood.
Alex Mackie, Head of Annandale Distillery’s Sensory Tasting Panel, commented on the nominations:
“Our sensory panel assesses hundreds of casks each year with meticulous discipline, and both Cask 513 and Cask 301 stood out immediately for their balance and maturity. The double oaked treatment on these 2018 fillings has accentuated our unique Annandale character; to have not just one, but two single casks from the same distillation year recognised by the Scottish Whisky Awards judging panel is testament to the quality and consistency of the spirit coming out of our bonded warehouses here in Annan.”
John Coombes, UK Trade Manager at Annandale Distillery, added:“This recognition arrives at an exciting time for Annandale across the UK trade. Industry buyers, specialist retailers, and discerning consumers are seeking authentic, premium single cask whiskies that tell a genuine story of provenance and craft. Having two bottlings shortlisted side-by-side in such a competitive category demonstrates real confidence in our portfolio and gives our trade partners an exceptional talking point heading into the festive period. We are thoroughly looking forward to joining friends and peers in Glasgow on 26th November.”
David Thomson, Co-Owner & Co-Founder of Annandale Distillery said:“We’re delighted to receive two nominations for our Single Cask bottlings. There’s no doubt that double oaked casks suit the style of our unpeated (Man O’Words) spirit, delivering a complex and balanced whisky that belies its relative youth. This is an important and much deserved accolade for Annandale’s dedicated production team.”
First established in 1836 and reborn in 2014 under the ownership of Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church, Annandale Distillery has steadily cemented its reputation as a leading destination for premium Single Cask Single Malt Scotch whisky.
The winners will be revealed at a black-tie awards dinner and ceremony taking place on Thursday, 26th November 2026, in Glasgow.
