Stories

Latest updates

Find out what IWSC is up to and learn about top-rated producers via our news feed

Each week we publish stories about the best wines and spirits, our experts, upcoming events, and beverage industry news. And, don't miss our new IWSC Insights series, where we take an in-depth look into drinks businesses and markets around the world. Looking for recommendations? Visit our consumer website Club Oenologique to read our top 10s and reviews.

Spirit news

From South Korea to France: The 7 Worldwide Whiskeys That Stunned the Judges

Each year, just a small handful of spirits manage to cross the threshold from technical excellence to true drinks brilliance These are the whiskies that stop the judges in their tracks, bottles that prompt discussion, delight, and ultimately, unanimous agreement that they deserve the very highest honour

Read article

Spirit news

A Golden Era for Global Whiskey

The worldwide whiskey category is one of the most interesting, diverse and competitive at the IWSC, representing everything power rye’s from the Nordics to emerging spirits from China and Korea. This year’s gold medal winners showcase the category at it’s best, with some intriguing shifts in where - and how - quality whiskey is made

Read article

Spirit news

Raising the Bar: Why Silver Medal Worldwide Whiskeys Deserve Your Attention

At the IWSC, a Silver medal isn’t just a step on the podium. It’s a mark of true distinction. In the world of whiskey, where nuance and balance separate the good from the great, achieving Silver signals a product that stands out for its character, craft, and complexity

Read article

Spirit news

Exploring Character and Consistency: Worldwide Whiskies Win Bronze at the IWSC

For whiskies in the Worldwide category, bronze medals represent more than technical merit, they speak to promise, potential, and precision from a diverse and evolving set of producers around the globe

Read article

Spirit news

From grape to glass: Pisco demonstrates quality at this year's IWSC

Chilean and Peruvian Pisco impressed judges at this year's IWSC with one reaching Gold Outstanding quality.

Read article

IWSC news

Meet the Champion: Maria Boumpa

Having just won the IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year competition, which was held in London last week, we caught up with 2025 champion Maria Boumpa – restaurant manager and wine director at Da Terra in London’s Bethnal Green – to find out how she kept her cool during the final

Read article

Spirit news

IWSC 2025: Strong performance from Calvados XO

The 2025 IWSC spirits judging highlighted a strong year for Calvados, with a notable concentration of high-scoring entries in the XO category

Read article

Spirit news

Global Grape Brandy at the IWSC

Discover highlights from this year's Grape Brandy judging, which saw 137 medals awarded including a Gold for a Brandy from Azerbaijan.

Read article

Alternative drinks

Quality without compromise: BevZero’s role in the low & no wine revolution

With the low & no category going from strength to strength around the globe, the expertise of dealcoholisation specialist BevZero has never been more in demand.

Read article

Spirit news

IWSC 2025: Armagnac’s time to shine

This year’s IWSC results brought both Armagnac and Cognac into sharp focus, revealing compelling contrasts in performance and style.

Read article