DAVID WOOD works in the still house at the Caol Ila whisky distillery on the Scottish island Islay, with the Paps of Jura in the background.

Fellow master blenders from across the globe will meet in Scotland next month in search of the year's top whisky. The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh – which houses 3384 bottles, the world's largest collection – will host the International Spirits Challenge.

A panel of 10 judges will taste 300 whiskies from April 22 to 25 at the site on the Royal Mile.

Whisky is Scotland's largest international export, worth an estimated £4.2 billion a year.

Picture: Danny Lawson/PA