Bladnoch Distillery has been announced as one of only 13 Scottish companies receiving this year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The malt whisky producer, based near Wigtown, scooped the accolade for International Trade and Outstanding Short-Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
Master distiller Nick Savage was delighted with the award and paid tribute to the 30-strong workforce.
He told the News: “This is just another indication of the efforts and passion that our team are putting into this. I have been here three years and between then and now is remarkable.
“If we had been told me we would be getting this award in a couple I would not have believed it.
“It has all been made possible by the commitment and dedication of our staff.”
Mr Savage said securing new business had paved the way for a more than doubling of employees since 2018.
He added: “We don’t necessarily focus on awards but when you do get one like this it’s merely an acknowledgement of all our team’s efforts.”
Bladnoch Distillery Limited started trading in 2015 and is the fourth largest independently owned Scotch malt whisky distillery.
It now distributes to more than 50 markets through a network of international distributors.
Overseas sales have grown by 140 per cent over the three-year application period. And in the final year of application 45 per cent of total sales was exported.
“Their innovation, contribution to sustainable development and achievements in trade prove once again that Scotland is a major player on the global business stage.”
