Edinburgh’s reputation as a global whisky destination has received another boost after a Leith-based company took home the biggest prize at this year’s Scotland StartUp Awards.
Tailored Spirits Co. has been named Scotland’s Overall StartUp of the Year 2026, as well as winning the Food & Drink StartUp of the Year category, recognising the company’s impressive growth and fresh approach to the Scotch whisky industry.
Since launching in 2024, the business has carved out a unique niche by helping individuals and organisations create their own bespoke Scotch whiskies. Instead of simply selling bottles, Tailored Spirits Co. gives clients the opportunity to build a whisky from the ground up—selecting single casks, influencing maturation, creating bespoke branding and producing a finished bottle with its own story.
It’s a concept that has resonated with everyone from whisky collectors and entrepreneurs to luxury brands and hospitality businesses looking to create something truly exclusive.
The company was founded by whisky specialists Adam Harding, Carl Johnstone and Tom Costello, who set out to make an often inaccessible part of the Scotch whisky world available to a much wider audience.
That vision has quickly translated into commercial success. Judges at the UK StartUp Awards highlighted the company’s rapid expansion, strong customer demand and impressive financial performance, noting that the business has already generated more than £2.3 million in turnover while building a growing team based in Leith.
Speaking after the awards, co-founder Carl Johnstone said the recognition reflected the hard work of the entire business.
“Winning Scotland’s Overall StartUp of the Year is an incredible honour,” he said. “To also be recognised as Food & Drink StartUp of the Year makes the achievement even more special.
“Our ambition has always been to create the world’s leading bespoke whisky company, giving people access to exceptional single-cask Scotch whisky through a completely personalised experience. It’s rewarding to see that vision recognised, but we see this as another step in a much bigger journey.”
For fellow co-founder Tom Costello, the awards were also a chance to reflect on how far the business has come in a relatively short time.
“What started in the back of my wife’s plant shop has grown into a business serving clients across the world,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to have amazing support from our families, our team and our industry partners, and this award belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey.”
The judging panel praised Tailored Spirits Co. for transforming a specialist idea into a fast-growing premium drinks business with significant long-term potential.
The double success means the Edinburgh company will now go on to represent Scotland at the UK StartUp Awards national final later this year, where it will compete against regional winners from across the UK as part of Ideas Fest.
With Leith continuing to establish itself as one of Scotland’s most exciting destinations for food, drink and creative businesses, Tailored Spirits Co.’s latest accolade is another example of the innovation emerging from the capital’s vibrant waterfront.
For whisky lovers, it also offers something refreshingly different—the chance not just to enjoy a bottle of Scotch, but to create one that’s entirely their own.
For more information about Tailored Spirits Co. and its bespoke whisky experiences, visit tailoredspirits.co.uk.
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