The results are in. These are the official winners of the 2026 International Whiskey Competition — judged blind on a 100-point scale. Congratulations to every distillery honoured this year.
Explore every winner in the DramIt app — scan bottles, follow the medals, and build your cellar.
🏆 Top Awards
Whisky of the Year
Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Kavalan Distillery · 96.97 pts
Distillery of the Year
A. Smith Bowman Distillery
Virginia, USA
Master Distiller of the Year
Zerose Yang
Head of Research & Development · Kavalan Distillery
Master Blender of the Year
Stephanie Macleod
Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky · John Dewar & Sons — Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old, 92.77 pts
Whisky of the Year goes to the highest-scoring whisky overall; Distillery of the Year to the highest weighted score across quality and portfolio; Master Distiller and Master Blender to the makers behind the top single-distillery and blended whiskies. Whiskies scoring below 85 points are not listed, and a 1st-place category win requires a score above 85.
90+ Point Whiskies
The elite tier — every whisky that scored 90 points or higher.
1Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky96.97
2Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky94.63
3A. Smith Bowman - Cask Strength (Batch #5)94.60
4Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky94.37
5Laizhou Amontillado Sherry Cask93.87
6Indri Diwali Collector's Edition 202593.53
7The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky - PX Finish93.13
8Dewar's Double Double 21 Year Old92.77
8Kavalan Solist Peated Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky92.77
10Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky92.70
10Laizhou Sherry Harmony NO3.92.70
12Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky92.67
13Kavalan Solist PX Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky92.53
14Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey92.45
15Kavalan Distillery Select No.2 Single Malt Whisky92.43
16Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky92.37
17Kavalan 15 Years Old Single Malt Whisky92.30
18Dewar's Double Double 32 Year Old92.23
19Kavalan Wine Oak Single Malt Whisky92.10
20Kavalan Solist Virgin Oak Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky92.07
21Aberfeldy Sherry Cask 25 Years Old92.05
22Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky92.03
23NOCO Distillery - Rye Whiskey - Founders Reserve - PX Finish91.93
24Kavalan Peatist Ex-Bourbon Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky91.87
25Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky91.83
25Nullaki Single Malt - Tawny Cask 001791.83
27New Product Under Embargo D91.80
28William Larue Weller91.73
29John J. Bowman - Single Barrel91.70
30NOCO Distillery - Bourbon Whiskey - Founders Reserve - Double Oak Finish - Cask Strength91.68
31Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year91.65
32Kavalan Grand Reserve No.2 Single Malt Whisky91.63
33Jefferson's Bourbon - Small Batch91.60
34Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky91.57
35Stagg91.47
36Kavalan Blender's Select Signature - Sweet & Mellow Single Malt Whisky91.43
37Royal Brackla OLOROSO 12 Years Old91.37
38Isaac Bowman - Port Barrel Finished91.35
39Austin 121 Cask Strength Single Barrel Light Whiskey91.33
39Kavalan Solist Palo Cortado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky91.33
41Eagle Rare 1791.30
42Kavalan Distiller's Reserve No.1 Single Malt Whisky91.17
42Hogback Peat Smoked Single Malt Whisky91.17
44NOCO Distillery - Quadruple Distilled Bourbon Whiskey - Cask 33491.08
45Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky91.07
45Brother Justus Founder's Reserve 3 (2025)91.07
45Under Embargo – Fall 202691.07
48Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky91.03
49Weldon Mills Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey91.00
50George T. Stagg90.97
51Indri Dru Cask Strength Single Malt Indian Whisky90.87
51Glenmorangie 25 Years Old90.87
53ROW 94 Full Proof90.77
53Thomas H. Handy90.77
53Michael Collins90.77
56Dewar's Double Double 27 Year Old90.67
56Kavalan Distiller's Reserve No.2 Single Malt Whisky90.67
58The Classic Laddie90.63
58Kavalan Grand Reserve No.1 Single Malt Whisky90.63
60King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky90.60
60Reservoir90.60
62Dewar's Double Double 30 Year Old90.53
62Royal Brackla PALO CORTADO 18 Years Old90.53
64Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky90.50
65Kavalan Lán Single Malt Whisky90.43
65Kavalan Distillery Select No.1 Single Malt Whisky90.43
65Kavalan Master's Select Reserve No.2 Single Malt Whisky90.43
68Kavalan Blender's Select Signature Single Malt Whisky90.23
68Under Embargo – Fall 202690.23
70Kavalan Port Oak Single Malt Whisky90.10
71Powers John’s Lane Release 12 Year Irish Whiskey90.00
Winners by Category
Best Single Malt Scotch
1Aberfeldy Sherry Cask 25 Years Old · Scotland92.05
2New Product Under Embargo D · Scotland91.8
3Royal Brackla OLOROSO 12 Years Old · Scotland91.37
Best Single Malt Scotch NAS (No Age Statement)
1The Classic Laddie · Scotland90.63
2Ardbeg Uigeadail · Scotland89.05
3Glenmorangie Signet · Scotland87.47
Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old
1Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year · Scotland91.65
2Ardbeg Ten Years Old · Scotland88.33
3Talisker 10 Year Old · Scotland87.25
Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Year Old
1Royal Brackla OLOROSO 12 Years Old · Scotland91.37
2Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 12 Years Old · Scotland88.17
3Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old · Scotland87.7
Best Single Malt Scotch 15 Year Old
1New Product Under Embargo D · Scotland91.8
2Tamdhu 15 Year Old · Scotland89.85
3Glenfarclas 15 Year Old · Scotland89.28
Best Single Malt Scotch 16-17 Year Old
1Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 16 Years Old · Scotland88
2Aberfeldy 16 Years Old · Scotland85.97
Best Single Malt Scotch 18 Year Old
1Royal Brackla PALO CORTADO 18 Years Old · Scotland90.53
2Glenmorangie The Infinita 18 Years Old · Scotland88.17
Best Single Malt Scotch 19-24 Year Old
1Royal Brackla OLOROSO - PALO CORTADO & PEDRO XIMÉNEZ 21 Years Old · Scotland89.3
2Aberfeldy Madeira Cask 21 Years Old · Scotland88.87
3Aberfeldy 21 Years Old · Scotland86.57
Best Single Malt Scotch 25 Year Old
1Aberfeldy Sherry Cask 25 Years Old · Scotland92.05
2Glenmorangie 25 Years Old · Scotland90.87
3Ardbeg 25 Years Old · Scotland88.97
Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old
1Ardbeg Wee Beastie · Scotland89.4
Best Islay Single Malt
1New Product Under Embargo D · Scotland91.8
2Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year · Scotland91.65
3The Classic Laddie · Scotland90.63
Best Highland Single Malt
1Aberfeldy Sherry Cask 25 Years Old · Scotland92.05
2Royal Brackla OLOROSO 12 Years Old · Scotland91.37
3Glenmorangie 25 Years Old · Scotland90.87
Best Peated Scotch
1New Product Under Embargo D · Scotland91.8
2Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year · Scotland91.65
3Ardbeg Wee Beastie · Scotland89.4
Best Blended Scotch
1Dewar's Double Double 21 Year Old · Scotland92.77
2Dewar's Double Double 32 Year Old · Scotland92.23
3Dewar's Double Double 27 Year Old · Scotland90.67
Best Blended Scotch 12 Year Old
1Dewar's 12 Year Old Mizunara Oak Cask · Scotland89
2Dewar's 12 Year Old · Scotland88.17
3Chivas 12 Year Old · Scotland85.63
Best Blended Scotch 15 Year Old
1Dewar's 15 Year Old · Scotland87.3
2Chivas XV · Scotland86.18
Best Blended Scotch 16-17 Year Old
1Dewar's 16 Year Old · Scotland88.57
2Chivas Charles Leclerc 16YO (LTO) Limited Edition · Scotland85.31
Best Blended Scotch 18 Year Old
1Dewar's 18 Year Old · Scotland87.33
2Dewar's 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak Cask · Scotland87.3
3Chivas 18 Year Old · Scotland86.28
Best Blended Scotch 19-24 Year Old
1Dewar's Double Double 21 Year Old · Scotland92.77
2Dewar's 19 Year Old · Scotland88.4
3Dewar's Double Double 20 Year Old · Scotland86.9
Best Blended Scotch Over 25 Year Old
1Dewar's Double Double 32 Year Old · Scotland92.23
2Dewar's Double Double 27 Year Old · Scotland90.67
3Dewar's Double Double 30 Year Old · Scotland90.53
Best Blended Scotch NAS (No Age Statement)
1Dewar's NAS Portuguese Smooth · Scotland87.27
Best American Whiskey
1A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5) · United States94.6
2Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States92.45
3NOCO Distillery - RYE Whiskey - Founders Reserve - PX Finish · United States91.93
Best Bourbon Whiskey
1A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5) · United States94.6
2Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States92.45
3William Larue Weller · United States91.73
Best American Rye Whiskey
1NOCO Distillery - Rye Whiskey - Founders Reserve - PX Finish · United States91.93
2Flag Hill Straight Rye Whiskey Single Barrel Cask Strength 2026 · United States89.1
3Ridge Mountain Rye Whiskey (Distilled in Indiana) · United States89
Best Corn Whiskey
1Rockfish Whiskey · United States87.07
Best Bourbon Whiskey - Cask Strength
1A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5) · United States94.6
2Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States92.45
3William Larue Weller · United States91.73
Best Bourbon Whiskey - Small Batch
1A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5) · United States94.6
2Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States92.45
3Jefferson's Bourbon - Small Batch · United States91.6
Best Bourbon Whiskey - Single Barrel
1John J. Bowman - Single Barrel · United States91.7
2NOCO Distillery - Bourbon - Founders Reserve - Double Oak Finish - Cask Strength · United States91.68
3W. L. Weller Single Barrel · United States89.07
Best Bourbon Whiskey - Bottled-In-Bond
1Early Times Bottled in Bond · United States89.33
21792 Bottled in Bond · United States88.83
2Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond · United States88.83
Best Bourbon Whiskey - Wheated
1William Larue Weller · United States91.73
2Weldon Mills Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States91
3W. L. Weller Antique 107 · United States89.93
Best American Blended Whiskey
1Traveller Whiskey - Blend No. 40 · United States87.8
2Traveller Full Proof · United States85.7
3Traveller · United States85.33
Best American Single Malt Whiskey
1Hogback Peat Smoked Single Malt Whisky · United States91.17
2Brother Justus Founder's Reserve 3 (2025) · United States91.07
3Root Shoot American Single Malt, 4yr, Bottled-in-Bond · United States89.7
Best Bourbon Whiskey - 10 Years and Older
1A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5) · United States94.6
2Eagle Rare 17 - Fall 2025 · United States91.3
3W.L. Weller 12 · United States89.67
Best American Light Whiskey
1Austin 121 Cask Strength Single Barrel Light Whiskey · United States91.33
Best American Special Cask Finished Whiskey
1NOCO Distillery - Rye Whiskey - Founders Reserve - PX Finish · United States91.93
2Isaac Bowman - Port Barrel Finished · United States91.35
3Product Under Embargo - Fall 2026 · United States91.07
Best American Whiskey - Independent Bottling
1Rare Character Limited Release Kentucky Straight Whiskey · United States89.03
2Hurst Knoll · United States88.33
3Black Maple Hill Premium Small Batch · United States87.77
Best Colorado Whiskey
1NOCO Distillery - Rye Whiskey - Founders Reserve - PX Finish · United States91.93
2NOCO Distillery - Bourbon Whiskey - Founders Reserve - Double Oak Finish - Cask Strength · United States91.68
3Hogback Peat Smoked Single Malt Whisky · United States91.17
Best Idaho Whiskey
1Warfield Gently Peated American Single Malt Whiskey · United States88.1
2Warfield Idaho Highlands American Single Malt Whiskey · United States87.5
Best Kentucky Whiskey
1William Larue Weller · United States91.73
2Stagg · United States91.47
3Eagle Rare 17 · United States91.3
Best Minnesota Whiskey
1Brother Justus Founder's Reserve 3 (2025) · United States91.07
2Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey · United States87.93
Best New Hampshire Whiskey
1Flag Hill Straight Rye Whiskey Single Barrel Cask Strength 2026 · United States89.1
Best North Carolina Whiskey
1Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States92.45
2Weldon Mills Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey · United States91
3Bronze Bull Bourbon - Finished in French Oak Staves · United States89.55
Best Texas Whiskey
1Austin 121 Cask Strength Single Barrel Light Whiskey · United States91.33
Best Whiskey Liqueur / Flavored Whiskey
1Mirakel - Natural Flavored Bourbon · United States89.03
2Two Stacks Liqueur · Ireland86.02
3Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream · United States85.95
Best Virginia Whiskey
1A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #5) · United States94.6
2John J. Bowman - Single Barrel · United States91.7
3Isaac Bowman - Port Barrel Finished · United States91.35
Best Irish Whiskey
1Michael Collins · Ireland90.77
2Powers John’s Lane Release 12 Year Irish Whiskey · Ireland90
3Powers Irish Rye Whiskey · Ireland88.9
Best Blended Irish Whiskey
1Michael Collins · Ireland90.77
2Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend · Ireland87.93
3Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey · Ireland87.8
Best Japanese Whisky
1Sato Shiki 41 Year · Japan88.67
2Sato Shiki Single Malt Masterpiece, finished in PX Barrel · Japan88.65
3Single Malt Japanese Whisky Setouchi Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured 700Ml (Annie Hall Bar) · Japan88.5
Best Japanese Single Malt Whisky
1Sato Shiki Single Malt Masterpiece, finished in PX Barrel · Japan88.65
2Single Malt Japanese Whisky Setouchi Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured 700Ml (Annie Hall Bar) · Japan88.5
3Single Malt Japanese Whisky Setouchi Double Octave Sherry (Annie Hall Bar) · Japan86
Best Japanese Single Grain Whisky
1Sato Shiki 41 Year · Japan88.67
2Sato Shiki 21 Year · Japan86.47
3Sato Shiki Single Grain Madeira Cask · Japan86.37
Best Canadian Whisky
1WhistlePig Estate Oak Rye Aged 15 Years · Canada88.77
2WhistlePig Old World Rye Aged 12 Years · Canada87.1
3Legacy Canadian Whiskey · Canada86.57
Best Canadian Rye Whisky
1WhistlePig Estate Oak Rye Aged 15 Years · Canada88.77
2WhistlePig Old World Rye Aged 12 Years · Canada87.1
3WhistlePig Small Batch Rye Aged 10 Years · Canada85.02
Best Canadian Blended Whisky
1Legacy Canadian Whiskey · Canada86.57
2Rich and Rare Reserve · Canada
3Seagram's VO Black · Canada
Best Indian Whisky
1Indri Diwali Collector's Edition 2025 · India93.53
2Indri Dru Cask Strength Single Malt Indian Whisky · India90.87
3Indri Agneya Single Malt Indian Whisky · India89.7
Best Single Malt Indian Whisky
1Indri Diwali Collector's Edition 2025 · India93.53
2Indri Dru Cask Strength Single Malt Indian Whisky · India90.87
3Indri Agneya Single Malt Indian Whisky · India89.7
Best Blended Indian Whisky
1Seagram's Blender's Pride Reserve Collection · India85.87
2Seagram's Oaken Glow · India85.03
3Seagram's Royal Stag Double Dark Peaty Whisky · India
Best Australian Whisky
1Nullaki Single Malt - Tawny Cask 0017 · Australia91.83
2MORRIS Australian Single Malt Signature Whisky · Australia88.23
3MORRIS Australian Single Malt Muscat Barrel · Australia87.2
Best World Whisky
1Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky · Taiwan96.97
2Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky · Taiwan94.63
3Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky · Taiwan94.37
Best Chinese Whisky
1Laizhou Amontillado Sherry Cask · China93.87
2The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky - PX Finish · China93.13
3Laizhou Sherry Harmony NO3. · China92.7
Best Austrian Whisky
1Single Grain, WHISKY Bio Schlägler Roggen, Mostellofass · Austria89.6
2Single Grain, WHISKY Bio Mais, Rotweinfass · Austria88.07
3Single Grain, WHISKY Emmer, Mostellofass · Austria87.37
Explore every winner in the DramIt app — scan bottles, follow the medals, and build your cellar.
