Shops and Retailers

Icons of Whisky Awards

Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year

Robert Graham

Originally founded in Glasgow in 1874, Robert Graham have over a hundred years of retail experience and have now opened shops in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge and London. They also offer their very own award-winning independently bottled single cask series of rare and special whiskies, the Dancing Stag. Robert Graham also stock an impressive range of cigars, the perfect partner to accompany your dram.

Shortlist

• Drinkmonger
• Cadenhead's Whisky Shop
• Drinkmonger
• Luvians Bottle Shop

Online Retailer of the Year

Royal Mile Whiskies

Royal Mile Whiskies is a regular in these categories, but the crown fits particularly well this year as the company has just launched a new-look site. The specialist whisky merchant has streamlined its online selection to offer buyers a more focused retail experience. 

Shortlist

• Robbie's Whisky Merchants
• Abbey Whisky
• The Green Welly Stop
• Singlemaltsdirect.com
• The Whisky Shop Dufftown 

Single Outlet Retailer of the Year

Gordon and MacPhail

Opened on 24 May 1895 on South Street, Elgin it is still going strong to this day. The store boasts a Whisky Room stocking around 1,000 different single malts. Discover your new favourites with the superb whisky tasting service where enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike can indulge in everything from regional and educational tastings to food pairings.

Shortlist

• Royal Mile Whiskies
• The Good Spirits Company
• The Green Welly Stop
• Robbie's Whisky Merchants
• TB Watsons
• The Whisky Shop Dufftown

Travel Retailer of the Year

World of Whiskies - Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports

For the second year running, World of Whiskies has taken the Travel Retailer title. World of Whiskies first opened in 1992, and following the success of the first two stores, the retailer now features in seven of the UK’s major airports. Whether after the perfect gift, or simply adding to your collection with the latest exclusives, the stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh are suitably stocked. With over 300 world whiskies selected by expert buyers, the highly trained staff are on hand to offer an exceptional experience. 

List of Whisky Shops and Whisky Retailers

• Whisky Fix, Oban, located on the Whisky Coast of Scotland, is adjacent to Oban Distillery. As well as being a beautiful part of the world, the shop is strategically positioned where many Campbeltown, Highland and Islay distilleries are only a short trip away! 

• Whisky Galore at The Green Welly Stop has been selling Scotch Whisky since 1976. In 2013 and 2015 they were 'Highly Commended' in The Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky Scotland Award for Online Retailers. 

• The Good Spirits Co. in Glasgow is one of the most refreshing whisky shops around at the moment, with one of the coolest and most laid back atmosphere’s you’ll find on this list. Good Spirits stock not only whiskies from Scotland and abroad but also some of the best gins, vodkas, tequilas and any other quality spirit you care to mention. They also do regular tastings, have a nearby craft beer shop and are just about to launch more premises. Watch this space.

• Cadenhead’s – Edinburgh & Campbeltown is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler has perhaps one of the best pedigrees of any of the shops on this list. Their staff at both their Edinburgh site and Campbelltown – where they began – are highly knowledgeable and well known for being characters within the whisky world. Family owned, Cadenhead’s offer a community feel and while their range of whisky is mainly from their own independently bottled range (as well as some of the best Campbelltown whiskies), they have access to the best single cask stock in the country and regularly bottle some rare gems that you wouldn’t get access to anywhere else.

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Edinburgh. Give someone the gift of an SMWS membership and access some truly incredible single cask whiskies from around the world. With two venues in Edinburgh and the combined knowledge of the Society itself means you’ll be spoiled for choice. The Society stocks unique cask strength whiskies from distilleries all across Scotland and beyond, with bottle names serving as playful tasting notes

• Loch Fyne Whiskies, Inveraray, Argyll. They say Loch Fyne is a magical place and we won’t argue, as not only is it home to some of the best seafood in the world it is also home to this Aladdin’s cave of whisky. The staff are always around to chat about our national drink, pour you a taster or impart some valuable whisky knowledge but be warned you may end up spending more than you want to.

• TB Watson, Dumfries, Scotland. One of the best known spirits shops thanks to the efforts of the management team. With a massive range of great whiskies and spirits, the shop also offers tastings and their very own whisky club. Having opened nearly 100 years ago, the shop itself has gone from strength to strength but it’s the online store – Drambusters – and their whisky festival that has really seen them shine.

• The Whisky Shop Dufftown, Moray, based in the heart of Speyside, this small whisky shop is run by a dedicated team with a well stocked range of over 600 whiskies. With no less than six operational distilleries and the annual Spirit of Speyside festival in close proximity, the shop is perfectly located and the ideal place to to end up after a day trip to the area. The shop also offers regular tastings in the evenings, which – if you give them enough notice – can be tailored specifically to your requirements, should you wish to try before you buy.