Entries for the World Whiskies Awards 2026 are now open! Make sure you keep up to date with the competition by checking the diary dates below and following our social channels for upcoming news regarding the World Whiskies Awards.
Global winner announcement – 25 March 2026
The World Whiskies Awards 2025 has officially ended—thank you to everyone who entered! Click here to see the full list of winners for Taste, Design, the Icons of Whisky, and inductees for the Whisky Hall of Fame.
What are the World Whiskies Awards?
The World Whiskies Awards aims to celebrate the very best in internationally whisky styles across the globe. Our annual tastings select, award, and showcase whiskies to passionate consumers throughout the exciting and ever-changing world whisky market. The World Whiskies Awards offers more than 30 Taste and Design categories, meaning every possible style of whisky or bottle design has a chance of winning a medal, a country winner award, and a World’s Best award. All whiskies entered must be generally available and for sale, which can be on and off trade, local or international.
Whether you’re an experienced distiller, or a novice just starting their whisky journey, the awards are the best possible way to get immediate exposure for your brand and connect with whisky lovers both regionally and all over the world.
The demand for great whisky has never been higher! Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to stand out amongst the crowd and present your product to the world stage!
Who should enter the World Whiskies Awards?
The awards are open to blenders, agents, importers, retailers, distilleries, and any passionate individuals who believe they have an exceptional product the world needs to taste.
Why enter the World Whiskies Awards?
1. Demonstrate your products’ best qualities to our expert, global judging panel. Taste and quality are the most important aspects to consider as your products will be presented to our judges in a blind tasting.
2. With victory comes consumer influence. As product variety increases on store shelves, an award will help you stand out against the overwhelming size of the global competition.
3. Receive exclusive benefits. All our award winners will receive complimentary logos and certificates, as well as the option to purchase tailor-made promotional materials. These can help showcase your success online via social media or even directly on your product bottle. All winning assets will be accessible on your online profile.
4. Achieve global recognition. Every winner receives a dedicated profile with a direct link to their online homepage via the World Drinks Awards website—a platform visited by thousands of drinks professionals and enthusiasts every month.
5. Boost your brand’s visibility. All World Whiskies Awards coverage is broadcasted across our social media channels, ensuring your brand is seen by our thousands of followers all over the world.
How to enter the World Whiskies Awards
1. Log in to your World Drinks Awards account or register if this is your first time entering.
2. Enter the products, people, or places you wish to submit for the awards.
3. Complete your registration with payment.
4. Ship your product to us.
Once we’ve received your product, we’ll take it from there! If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch:
info@worlddrinksawards.com
+44 (0)1603 633 808
Icons of Whisky
Welcome to the Icons of Whisky
We are excited to announce that the Icons of Whisky Awards are now open for entries! With our online entry system, you can now enter conveniently through your customer profile.
The Icons of Whisky Awards celebrate the years of hard work that go into every single bottle. This category is open to people and places throughout all areas of the industry.
There are awards for those involved in every step of the process, with awards for coopers, warehouse managers, and production teams, awards for sales and marketing teams, and awards for communicators like campaign innovators and PR agencies. No matter the department or skill, everyone deserves their hard work lauded when they help bring an exceptional product to life.
The Icons of Whisky celebrates every step of the process, such as product innovation, unforgettable visitor experiences, and outstanding retail service. This way, your hard work is rewarded and memorialised for the whole whisky world to see!
The World Whiskies Awards also celebrates industry professionals with the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. This award is the highest honour given by the World Whiskies Awards and showcases the excellence of those who have dedicated their lives and careers to the whisky industry.
Taste categories
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A Blended whisk(e)y is produced by vatting together at least two whiskies of different styles (e.g. Single malt and Single grain or Wheat and Rye) produced at the same distillery or two or more whiskies of the same or different style(s), produced at different distilleries, but excluding blended malt. To qualify for the Blended category, a product should not be a Blended Limited Release. To qualify for this category, the constituent whiskies in the blend must comply with other category definitions listed in this document. To qualify for this category, a Blended whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above. Blended whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). Please note that this does not prohibit the addition of enzymes during mashing of any whisk(e)y in the blend. If a Blended whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Blended whisk(e)y), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label. Furthermore, the majority (>50%) of the blend’s constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A release of Blended whisk(e)y that is limited to 3600 bottles or less.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A Blended Malt whisk(e)y is produced using a combination of Single Malt whiskies distilled at different distilleries and may also be referred to on packaging as a ‘vatted malt’ or ‘pure malt’. To qualify for this category, a Blended Malt must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and its constituent single malts must comply with the definition of Single Malt whisk(e)y outlined in this definition document. Blended Malt whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). If a blended malt carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Blended Malt), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label. Furthermore, the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry. If less is present, the entry should be placed into the 'World' region.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A Canadian whisky is a blend of mature whiskies, each usually distilled from a single grain type. Generally, some of this spirit is distilled to high abv and matured in used barrels to maximize flavours that develop from long exposure to air in the barrel. Other spirit, distilled to low abv in short columns or pot stills is matured in new or once-used barrels to emphasize the flavours derived from the grain, fermentation and wood. Canadian whisky must be aged for at least three years and must have been distilled and matured in Canada.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
Corn whisk(e)y is the product of distilling a mash made up of at least 51% corn. Whiskies containing corn that do not meet this minimum are instead categorised as Grain whiskies. Corn whisk(e)y may be produced using a copper pot, column or hybrid still. To qualify for this category, a Corn whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and have been aged for a minimum of two years in wooden barrels. A Corn whisk(e)y may be described as Single Corn (the product of one distillery), Blended Corn (a blend of Corn whiskies produced at more than one distillery) or simply as Corn. Corn whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). Please note that this does not prohibit the addition of enzymes during mashing. If a Corn whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Corn whisk(e)y), it must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label. If a Blended Corn whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Blended Corn whiskey), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label and the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
Flavoured whisk(e)y is a spirit drink containing whisk(e)y as its sole constituent spirit, with added ingredients which augment the final flavour of the product. Flavourings may be added by means of one or more of the following processes: addition, infusion, maceration, alcoholic fermentation and distillation. To qualify as a flavoured whisk(e)y, no distilled spirits other than whisk(e)y (as outlined in other category definitions in this document) or products containing distilled spirits other than whisk(e)y may be added to the final product. Examples of flavourings include sweetening products such as honey or agave nectar (for further examples, see the definitions below) and foodstuffs including, but not limited to, herbs, spices, hops and fruits. In this category, artificial flavourings are permitted. A Flavoured whisky can be distinguished from a liqueur by its sugar content, which will be below 100g/litre. Products containing sugar levels in excess of 100g/litre will instead be considered liqueurs and qualify for entry to the World Liqueur Awards. To qualify for this category, a flavoured whisk(e)y must be bottled at >35% ABV. If a flavoured whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Flavoured Whiskey), the product must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label. Furthermore, the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry.
Grain whisky is the product of distilling a mash bill made up of a one or more cereal grain(s). This includes, but is not limited to, wheat, maize (corn), barley, millet, spelt, rice, oats and rye. Grain whisk(e)y may be produced using a copper pot, column or hybrid still. To qualify for this category, a grain whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and have been aged for a minimum of two years in wodden casks. A grain whisk(e)y may be Single Grain (the product of one distillery) or Blended Grain (a blend of grain whiskies produced at more than one distillery). Grain whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). Please note that this does not prohibit the addition of enzymes during mashing. If a Single Grain whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Single Grain whiskey), it must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label. If a Blended Grain whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Blended Grain whiskey), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label. Furthermore, the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
New-Make Spirit is the unaged product of distilling fermented cereal mash in a copper pot, column or hybrid still. It can be labelled variably as ‘Moonshine’, ‘White Dog’ and ‘Clearac’, with other local terminology used around the world. Young Spirit is New-Make Spirit that has been matured for more than six months but under two years in a wooden cask. If a New-Make or Young Spirit carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Moonshine or Irish New-Make Spirit), it must have been distilled in the country identified on the label. To qualify for this category, a New-Make or Young Spirit must be bottled at >40% ABV and, if it were matured further to a minimum of two years, must have the potential to become a category of whisk(e)y described in this document.
New Make
Young Spirit
Flavoured Spirit
A Flavoured Spirit is a product created by flavouring New-Make or Young Spirit with added ingredients which augment the final flavour of the product. Flavourings may be added by means of one or more of the following processes: addition, infusion, maceration, alcoholic fermentation and distillation. Examples of flavourings include sweetening products such as honey or agave nectar (for further examples, see the definitions below) and foodstuffs including, but not limited to, herbs, spices, hops and fruits. In this category, artificial flavourings are permitted. A Flavoured Spirit can be distinguished from a liqueur by its sugar content, which will be below 100g/litre. Products containing sugar levels in excess of 100g/litre will instead be considered liqueurs and qualify for entry to the World Liqueur Awards. To qualify for this category, a Flavoured Spirit must be bottled at >35% ABV. If a Flavoured Spirit carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Flavoured Spirit), the product must have been distilled, flavoured and bottled in the country identified on the label.
Speciality
Pot Still whisk(e)y is produced using a mash bill containing a mix of both malted and unmalted barley, and must be distilled at least twice in a copper pot still. To qualify for this category, a Pot Still whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and have been aged for a minimum of two years in wodden casks. A Pot Still whisk(e)y may be Single Pot Still (the product of one distillery) or blended Pot Still (a blend of Pot Still whiskies produced at more than one distillery). Pot Still whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). If a Single Pot Still whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Single Pot Still whiskey), it must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label. Please note that Pot Still whisk(e)y may be produced in any country – its production is not limited to Ireland. If a Blended Pot Still whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Blended Pot Still whiskey), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label. Furthermore, the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
Rye whisky is the product of distilling a mash made up of at least 51% rye. Whiskies containing rye that do not meet this minimum are instead categorised as grain whiskies. Rye whisk(e)y may be produced using a copper pot, column or hybrid still. To qualify for this category, a rye whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and have been aged for a minimum of two years in wooden casks. A Rye whisk(e)y may be described as Single Rye (the product of one distillery), Blended Rye (a blend of Rye whiskies produced at more than one distillery) or simply as Rye. Rye whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). Please note that this does not prohibit the addition of enzymes during mashing. If a Rye whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Rye whiskey), it must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label. If a Blended Rye whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Blended Rye whiskey), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label and the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A Single Cask Single Grain whisk(e)y is defined as the contents of a single cask of Single Grain whisk(e)y, as defined in this document. It is understood that a single cask is an enclosed maturation vessel made of wood that is no more than 750 litres in capacity. To qualify, a Single Cask Single Grain whisk(e)y must have been disgorged and bottled without addition of any substance except water (for dilution to bottling strength) and/or spirit caramel (E150A). The vatting of two or more casks is not permitted at any point in the production process of a Single Cask Single Grain.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A Single Cask Single Malt whisk(e)y is defined as the contents of a single cask of Single Malt whisk(e)y, as defined in this document. It is understood that a single cask is an enclosed maturation vessel made of wooden that is no more than 750 litres in capacity. To qualify, a Single Cask Single Malt whisk(e)y must have been disgorged and bottled without addition of any substance except water (for dilution to bottling strength) and/or spirit caramel (E150A). The vatting of two or more casks is not permitted at any point in the production process of a Single Cask Single Malt.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
Single Malt whisk(e)y is produced using a mash of 100% malted barley and must be distilled at least twice using a copper pot still. Though more than one cask may be vatted to create a single malt whisk(e)y, it must be solely the product of a single distillery. To qualify for this category, a single malt whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and have been aged for a minimum of two years in wooden casks. Single Malt whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). If a Single Malt whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. Irish Single Malt whiskey), it must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label. The same applies for the country/region of production which needs to be complete when entering the product.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
A Bourbon Small Batch whisky is defined as a Bourbon whiskey produced using no more than 100 barrels. The product must otherwise comply with the Bourbon Whisky definition.
Non Kentucky
Kentucky
A Single Malt Small Batch whisky is defined as a Single Malt whiskey produced using the contents of no more than 100 casks. The product must otherwise comply with this document’s definition of single malt.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
Age Statement
No Age Statement
Wheat whisk(e)y is the product of distilling a mash made up of at least 51% wheat. Whiskies containing wheat that do not meet this minimum are instead categorised as Grain whiskies. Wheat whisk(e)y may be produced using a copper pot, column or hybrid still. To qualify for this category, a Wheat whisk(e)y must be bottled at 40% ABV or above and have been aged for a minimum of two years in wooden casks. A Wheat whisk(e)y may be described as Single Wheat (the product of one distillery), Blended Wheat (a blend of Wheat whiskies produced at more than one distillery) or simply as Wheat. Wheat whisk(e)y may contain no additional flavourings or additives, with the exception of spirit caramel (E150a). Please note that this does not prohibit the addition of enzymes during mashing. If a Wheat whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Wheat whisk(e)y), it must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label. If a Blended Wheat whisk(e)y carries a geographical indication (e.g. American Blended Wheat whiskey), the blend must have been vatted and bottled in the country identified on the label and the majority (>50%) of its constituent whiskies must have been distilled and matured in the country identified on the label to qualify for entry.
12 Years & Under
13 to 20 Years
21 Years & Over
No Age Statement
Design categories
This design category includes only singular bottles without outer packaging. It does include any decorative items such as neck tags or collars. The overall design, including closure, of the glass or PET bottle: shape, colour, functionality and any embossing, decorative finishes, coatings, or direct printed elements as well as visual appeal will be assessed in this category.
This category is designed to cater for all on shelf gift packs. These can be either gift packs containing individual bottles with packaging and accessories (such as glassware) or multi-product sets, including miniatures.
This includes all aspects of on-bottle brand/product communication, including the application of any direct printing onto bottle, capsule or closure, as well as paper and film labels and sleeves. This will be judged on the overall design and quality of materials, print, decoration and application.
This category applies to designs where the number produced was limited, such as for a special production, occasion or season. This can include individual bottles as well as bottles with outer packaging. This does not include gift packs, travel retail exclusives or special edition designs, which should be entered separately.
Packaging for a new product launched after February 1, 2023. This must be a new product, not a re-design of an existing product. Redesigns, please see the redesign/relaunch category.
This is a packaging design that carries through and unites a range or ‘family’ of different products from one producer or brand. To enter this category a minimum of three expressions need to be provided in order to assess the range design.
This category refers to a new or refreshed packaging design created for an existing product and introduced to the market after February 1, 2023. A picture or sample of the previous packaging must be supplied along with a description of what changes have been made and why
This applies to the secondary, outer, presentation packaging, such as cartons, boxes, cases, plinths, chests etc. The presentation will be judged on the overall effect with the bottle in place. This does not include gift packs or speciality designs, which should be entered separately.
This category is for speciality designs or ‘one off’ productions which have been exclusively designed for a very special occasion, are very limited and mostly in a higher price range. Must contain outer packaging. Sale is extremely selected and not generally available.
Products created specifically and only for sale in the duty-free / travel retail market. This can either individual bottles or products with outer packaging.
The judging process
The taste judging is held in three rounds.
Taste
Round One
Each whisky is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners. Judges making up the World Whiskies Awards panel include international, leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts. Those who excel in round 1 and are awarded Style Winners proceed to round 2.
Rounds Two
Style winners are tasted against each other to identify the ‘Best’ whisky in each category. The 'Best' whisky in each category will proceed to the final round.
Final Round
The ‘Best’ whisky in each category are then tasted against each other one last time to select the World’s Best whisky. Judges at this stage include those in Round 1 and 2 to whom are added a panel of leading distillers and experts from the whisky industry.
Design
All design judging is conducted by a panel of leading international design experts.Shipping
1. Our shipping service
Our shipping service is made with security and simplicity in mind—once you have packed your products, we’ll take over from there.
Shipping is easy, simply access your online profile, enter your products, complete the shipping form provided and complete with payment. When we have received the payment, we will arrange everything for you. The entire process is carefully controlled and tracked by us, if you have any questions on the status of your entries, we will be able to provide you with all the information you need.
Our shipping service includes all charges, from transport costs to duties and all clearance documents. There are no surprise charges, once you have paid the initial shipment costs, there is nothing further to pay.
*Italy & France
The World Drinks Awards has collection depots in Italy and France. You will be provided with all details once your shipment is booked, but you will need to ensure you deliver your entries to the local depot yourself. The transport costs for which are not part of the shipping fee.If you wish to ship your samples yourself, please ensure that all customs, clearance and any associated costs have been paid. We are unable to assist with EADs. If any costs have not been paid and/or charged by the couriers to the World Whiskies Awards, we can either not accept the shipment or will have to invoice any costs occurred, including an administration fee (see terms and conditions).
We also accept in-person deliveries. Please contact us prior to delivery to ensure a member of our team is ready to meet you and collect your shipment.
If you have entered both Taste and Design, please provide the number of bottles specified under the 'Taste' entries quantities section.