Ardbeg wins IWSC 2025 Scotch Producer Trophy

The IWSC is delighted to announce Ardbeg as the winner of its 2025 Scotch Whisky Producer Trophy, sponsored by Forsyths.

For over two centuries, Ardbeg has distilled whisky on the southern shores of Islay, a remote, sea-swept corner of Scotland that has become synonymous with smoke, salt, and spirit. Founded in 1815, the distillery has endured challenges both natural and commercial, yet its identity remains anchored in the elemental intensity of the island itself.

Today, Ardbeg continues to embody the dual spirit of Islay: respect for tradition, and an instinct for reinvention. The IWSC Scotch Whisky Producer Trophy, sponsored by Forsyths, celebrates producers who achieve this balance, marrying heritage with innovation to create whiskies that resonate around the world.

Ardbeg’s distillers have long understood that even in a market crowded with limited editions and novelty releases, true distinctiveness lies in integrity. Their recent approach reflects this awareness, scaling back on special bottlings to let the core range speak more clearly. The result is whisky that feels both familiar and renewed, reaffirming the qualities that made Ardbeg an icon: smoke balanced with sweetness, depth tempered by precision.

This same philosophy underpins the brand’s experiments, from high-gravity mash trials to community-led releases such as the IWSC gold medal-winning Ardbeg Eureka! Each is rooted in curiosity, but always grounded in the sensory honesty of the liquid itself. As our judges noted:

“They’ve pushed innovation in a market where it’s challenging. They’ve been tested, and responded by refining their focus, and the liquid just speaks for itself.”

Beyond its product success, Ardbeg remains deeply committed to sustainability and to its island community. Through initiatives such as peatland restoration projects and the All Islay Fund, a £1 million, five-year programme supporting local causes, the distillery continues to give back to the place that defines its whisky.

Ardbeg’s approach exemplifies what the IWSC Producer Trophies celebrate: a distillery that balances authenticity with innovation, heritage with progress. With each release, Ardbeg continues to redefine what it means to be an Islay malt, bold yet thoughtful, experimental yet true to its origins.

Congratulations to Ardbeg, the IWSC Scotch Whisky Producer Trophy winner for 2025.