The Golden Barrel Trophy
Designed in Switzerland and unveiled at Diageo Archive, the Golden Barrel Trophy represents the pinnacle of excellence in whisky making, showcasing two lions holding a whisky barrel. It is casted in bronze with 24K golden leaves on each side of the barrel. The Golden Barrel will be kept by the winner of the Whisky of the Year until next year’s competition and the name of each winner will be engraved in its marble base to commemorate the history of each annual Whisky of the Year. Basically, the Golden Barrel is to whisky what the World Cup is to football.
2022 Winner
Will be announced on June 15th, 2022 at 9:00 Eastern Standard Time.
2021 Winner
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s (and Ardbeg) Director of Distilling and Whisky Stocks.
2021 Whisky of the Year: Ardbeg Uigeadail - 95.9 Points.
2020 Winner
Stephanie MacLeod, John Dewar & Sons, Master Blender.
2020 Whisky of the Year: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old (96.4 points)
2019 Winner
Dr Bill Lumsden, The Glenmorangie Company, Director of Distilling and Whisky Stocks.
2019 Whisky of the Year: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 - 97 Points
(Pictured below: the whole team working at Glenmorangie Distillery)
2018 Winner
Graeme Cruickshank, Master Distiller at Aberlour Distillery
2018 Whisky of the Year: Aberlour A'Bunadh - 97.4 Points
2017 Winner
Brendan McCarron, Ardbeg Head of Maturing Whisky Stocks, with Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg Director of Distilling and Whisky Stocks
2017 Whisky of the Year: Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Exclusive - 97.3 Points
2016 Winner
Dr Bill Lumsden, The Glenmorangie Company, Director of Distilling and Whisky Stocks
2016 Whisky of the Year: Glenmorangie Signet - 97 Points
2015 Winner
Dr Jim Beveridge, Master Blender at Diageo
2015 Whisky of the Year: John Walker & Sons King George V - 97 Points
