Fife-based independent Scotch whisky bottler Saltire Rare Malt has secured six finalist spots across four categories at the 2026 Scottish Whisky Awards. The nominations include Independent Bottler of the Year and Excellence in Branding.
Four Saltire whiskies have reached the taste finals.
Three of the eight places in the Single Cask Scotch 13 and Over category went to the bottler’s Aultmore 15 Year Old, Caol Ila 17 Year Old and Tamnavulin 17 Year Old.
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READ THE STORYSaltire’s Port Dundas has also been shortlisted in the Single Grain & Blended Grain Scotch category.
The nominations mark a milestone for the company, which was named Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards.
Saltire Rare Malt was launched in 2024 by friends and founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie. The business is based in Falkland, Fife. The company works alongside whisky experts Hans and Becky Offringa, known as The Whisky Couple, to curate its collection of rare single cask and limited-edition Scotch whiskies. In just over two years, its bottlings have reached collectors and trade partners across Europe, North America, Asia and South Africa.
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“We’re incredibly proud to see Saltire recognised across so many different areas at this year’s Scottish Whisky Awards,” said Keith Rennie, co-founder of Saltire Rare Malt.
“To have four of our whiskies in the taste finals – including three in the same single cask category – is particularly special, alongside recognition for our branding and a nomination for Independent Bottler of the Year.”
Rennie added: “We launched Saltire just over two years ago with a shared passion for exceptional Scotch whisky and big ambitions for the business. To see the whisky, the brand and the team recognised together means a huge amount to us.”
The nominations come during the company’s biggest period of international growth to date. Saltire recently appointed five whisky professionals across North America and Asia Pacific.
The Scottish Whisky Awards celebrate producers, bottlers and retailers across the industry.
Winners of the 2026 edition will be announced later this year.
The Saltire Rare Malt Collection is available to buy online.
