Scotch Whisky Award Shortlist: Sukhinder Singh

Next year will mark two decades since Sukhinder Singh co-founded The Whisky Exchange, an online portal where whisky fans could buy, sell or swap the listed bottles. 

He had previously worked in an award-winning off-licence in west London owned by his parents – who became the first Asians in the UK to be granted a liquor license in 1971 – where he first developed his interest in single malts. Following his parents’ retirement, he founded The Whisky Exchange alongside his brother.

The company, which is now one of the country’s most impressive drinks companies, soon began selling more single malts than anyone else at the time, and within a decade was recognised as Whisky Magazine’s online whisky retailer of the year.

The portfolio grew over the years and, now housed at Elixir House, includes The Whisky Exchange alongside Speciality Drinks, Elixir Distillers and Scotchwhisky.com.

Among his many accomplishments, he lists celebrating ten years of The Whisky Show, creating Whisky.Auction, and opening The Whisky Exchange in Covent Garden, London, as three of his ‘milestone moments’. Singh’s next great vision is the building of a distillery on Islay, a goal he hopes to realise in 2019. 

“It’s a great honour to be nominated for this award, even more so the second year running. I am humbled that my dedication to the Scotch whisky industry has been recognised by the IWSC,” said Singh.

“I have always held the belief that any business owner will succeed if they live and breathe what they love. Passion is a big driver behind any business and it’s certainly the big factor in the successes at Elixir House.”

The winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Scotch Whisky Award will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet on 14 November. Like the IWSC Facebook page to tune in to the livestream on 14 November, and find out who will receive this prestigious award.