Clydebuilt Sailmaker wins at the World Whiskies Awards in Scotland

Clydebuilt Sailmaker, from Ardgowan Distillery, has just won another award at the World Whiskies Awards 2023. Sailmaker scooped the prize in the first round for Scotland under the category “Blended Malt - No Age Statement”.

Ardgowan’s success comes just one week after the distillery was awarded some of the highest marks from the independent taste panel at the Scottish Whisky Awards, with a total of three Gold Medals – Clydebuilt Sailmaker, Discovery No.4 and Inverdarach Potstill Editions Aon.

Reflecting on the win, Martin McAdam, CEO at Ardgowan Distillery, said:

“We’re delighted to have won Best Blended Malt at the Whisky Magazine World Whisky Awards. We’re pleased Sailmaker has been so well received, and a big thanks to our team who made it all possible. It was also such an honour to win three Gold Medals at the Scottish Whisky Awards. Our team’s dedication, passion and commitment make us proud every day, and we couldn’t be more pleased to see this recognised.”

The World Whiskies Awards, which took place at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh on December 8th, commends the best whiskies in sixteen categories, covering style and production methods, and aims to recognise the best Scotch whiskies by celebrating the people working to deliver Scotland’s national drink. The competition is judged by a panel of industry experts, bringing together market knowledge and industry experience to identify excellence and innovation in Scottish whisky distilling.

Ardgowan will compete in round two for the title of World’s Best in the World Whisky Awards and will begin production at its eco-friendly single malt whisky distillery, gin distillery and visitor centre in 2024.

Clydebuilt Sailmaker is a unique blended malt combining six distinctive whiskies from Highland, Lowland and Speyside Distilleries. Each of these whiskies has matured in first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks, personally selected by Max McFarlane, Master Whisky Maker at Ardgowan Distillery.

NOSE: Peppery, with an intriguing balance of dried spices, stone fruits, fresh nectarines, chocolate truffles, and Seville orange marmalade.

PALATE: Relaxes slowly to reveal long-lasting butterscotch, marzipan, mangoes, and a hint of vanilla essence.

FINISH: Rich sherry pervades – raisins and spice.

Clydebuilt Sailmaker has been bottled at 48% ABV, without colouring or chill-filtering. It retails at £52.50 via the distillery’s online shop here.