A Golden Era for Global Whiskey

The Worldwide Whiskey category is one of the most diverse, competitive and dynamic at the IWSC, representing everything from powerful Nordic ryes to emerging spirits from China and Korea. This year’s Gold medal winners showcase the category at its best, revealing intriguing shifts in where - and how - world-class whiskey is being made.

With scores ranging from 95 to 97, these award-winning spirits span continents, traditions, and climates. From sherried single malts in Ireland to corn whiskies in Mexico and modern classics from the US, the 2025 Gold list is a masterclass in diversity.

Celtic Classics

With 21 Gold medals between them, the Republic of Ireland and the UK continue to dominate the Worldwide Whiskey category, setting benchmarks for both quality and heritage. Judges noted an overall uplift in quality from both regions this year, with particular praise for Ireland’s dominance in Pot Still whiskey and a noticeable resurgence in English single malts, exemplified by Chapter 18 from The English Distillery.

Judge Stephanie DiCamillo-May highlighted the outstanding performance of the Irish Pot Still entries, stating: “The Pot Still flight was exceptional, all very well made and delicious.” James Phillips also noted the “great depth, balance and drinkability” of the English single malts.

Billy Abbott, Whisky Exchange Ambassador, offered a word of caution: “While the quality was good across the board, the sheer number of options within the Irish market means that brands are going to need to work harder to differentiate themselves. Just being a good whiskey isn't going to be enough when your neighbours are producing similar releases of similar quality and price.”

Asian Precision & Innovation

Asia’s Gold medal-winning whiskies once again impressed judges with their elegance, innovation and attention to detail. From youthful Japanese single malts to bold experiments with rice and grain, the best examples showcased a mastery of blending, wood management and distilling character that points to a very bright future.

Judge Kristiane Westray summed up a key shift: “I really enjoyed the East Asian whiskies in general, but especially the single malts. For so long it feels like everything has been so cask-driven - it was really refreshing and welcome to see the art of whisky making itself come to the fore. These whiskies are increasingly accomplished, and it shows.” Whiskies such as Ikawa Distillery Dessin Series Flora 2024 and Shindo New Born 5 from Japan exemplified this clarity and precision, delivering vibrant character from younger spirits.

Lora Hemy was particularly struck by the younger Japanese expressions, noting: “The younger Japanese single malts made us all stop and discuss the future of the category. To see so much character from younger spirits like this is a fantastic vote of confidence in new-to-world whiskymaking more generally.” She also praised the rice whiskies on show for their “lovely composition,” and said that the best Japanese whiskies “had balance and an understanding of wood.” 

Taiwan’s Kavalan Solist series also continued to impress, with Gold medals awarded to expressions matured in Fino Sherry, Madeira, and Vinho Barrique casks - each one a study in balance, power, and precise wood influence.

James Phillips concluded that the most successful entries had “balance through judicious cask use, blending and alcohol” - a sentiment that reflects the maturing confidence of Asian producers in expressing complexity through restraint.

European Excellence

While still a relatively young force in global whiskey, continental Europe impressed this year with its range, innovation and growing regional identity. Judges were particularly taken with the quality and consistency of French single malts, and noted a rising diversity in the European rye category.

“French whisky was the surprise of the day for me, super consistent, unique casks, and some of the best whisky we tried overall. The future is looking bright for French whisky,” said judge James Goggin. Several entries from Le Breuil, Hériose, and Alfred Giraud caught attention for their vibrant, elegant profiles and thoughtful cask maturation.

Kristiane Sherry echoed this sentiment, calling French single malt the “absolute standout category of the day.” She added: “There was so much quality, with expressive, bright, stunningly made whiskies. France is at the forefront of world whiskymaking right now, and it will be thrilling to see what the distillers do next.”

Rye whiskey also drew praise, not from the US this time, but from producers in Finland, Germany, and beyond. Becky Paskin noted: “I really enjoyed the European rye category, a marked difference to the style created in the US and so indicative of the gastronomic rye culture in countries like Finland and Sweden.” Nick Larsson-Bell added: “It was great to see the European rye whiskies increase in variety so much.” Notable examples included Peat Smoke Malt Rye Whisky from Finland’s Kyrö Distillery and Emperor’s Way Otto I from Germany’s Hercynian Distilling Co.

Beyond France and the ryes, Gold medal-winning whiskies from across the continent underlined the depth and potential of European production. Belgium’s 15 YO Sherry Cask Single Malt from Filliers offered refined maturity, while Nomad Single Malt from Spain and Swiss Mountain Master Distiller Edition 7 showcased how a range of climates and cask styles are shaping flavour in unexpected ways.

From sherry-aged elegance to peat and grain experimentation, Europe is rapidly carving out a place not just as a newcomer, but as a serious player in global whiskey.

New World Frontiers

Outside the traditional whiskey heartlands, producers across the Southern Hemisphere and North America are pushing the boundaries of style, grain and maturation, and it’s paying off. New World distillers impressed judges with bolder profiles, innovative mash bills and regionally expressive spirits.

Australia in particular stood out for its growing mastery of rye whiskey. “Australian rye is a category to watch,” said Becky Paskin. “I was so surprised by the balance between spirit and cask; the unique Australian climate means the bold, spicy rye character is able to hold its own against the impact of the cask.” Lora Hemy agreed, calling the entries “engaging and diverse… all really interesting.” Allan Anderson noted the style’s “impressive spice and well-balanced wood and mash bill character.”

The US also delivered a standout set of Gold medal winners, from high-aged bourbons to expressive ryes. “The high-aged Kentucky straight bourbons were exceptionally good across the board,” said Matt Chambers, while Joseph Micallef highlighted strong results from “Kentucky bottled-in-bond, New York and American rye whiskeys.”

Beyond these more established names, several smaller or emerging whiskey nations made their mark. Mexico’s Abasolo Corn Whisky demonstrated bold use of heritage grain and terroir, while New Zealand’s Anthem Single Malt showed a confident, clean approach to single malt production. Canada picked up multiple Golds across rye, grain and blended styles - led by entries from Black Fox and Alberta Distillers, and South Africa continues to gain momentum with flavourful, cask-led profiles.

As the world of whiskey continues to expand, these producers are proving that excellence can emerge from anywhere, and that tradition and innovation are far from mutually exclusive. See the full list of gold medal-winners below.