![\"Orkney](\"https:\/\/www.spirit-of-orkney.com\/contents1a\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Screen-shot-2013-06-05-at-15.07.39-e1370441886102.png\")
<\/a>Run in partnership with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards have been recognising and rewarding the very best in Scottish food and drink for many years.<\/p>\n
Competition judges tasted 121 food and drink products and examined submissions from 100 businesses across Scotland.\u00a0 In all, 39 Scottish businesses were shortlisted across 17 different product and business excellence award categories, with the winners revealed at a special ceremony in Edinburgh\u2019s Assembly Rooms on 30 May.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an enormous privilege to be part of such a prestigious event and we\u2019re really delighted to have come away with this award,\u201d said Norman Sinclair, managing director of the Orkney Brewery\u2019s parent company, Sinclair Breweries Ltd. \u201cWe were honoured to be the only Scottish brewer with a shortlisted product, so securing a win was really the icing on the cake for us on what was a fantastic night all round.<\/p>\n
\u201cDark Island Reserve epitomises all the passion we have for our brewing craft in Orkney,\u201d added Mr Sinclair. \u201cIt\u2019s won us many awards over the years,<\/p>\n thanks to its unique taste and high quality and we were very proud to see it recognised once again at this flagship competition.\u201d<\/p>\n Dark Island Reserve is created by maturing Orkney Brewery\u2019s iconic and award winning Dark Island Ale in aged malt whisky casks for three months.<\/p>\n Produced in limited quantities and for exclusive markets, Dark Island Reserve is renowned for its flavours of smooth roast malt, dark chocolate, caramel, figs and dates, which combine with vanilla, spice and bitter orange flavours from the wood and whisky.<\/p>\n<\/a>