Overview: The International Wine & Spirit Competition released its 2026 spirits results on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. A total of 53 rums secured gold or gold outstanding medals, with 12 achieving the highest distinction. Judges highlighted complexity, balance, and raw material expression as defining qualities for this year’s top performers.
The Full Story
The judging panel noted that rum resists a single definition of excellence, showcasing entries from traditional heartlands alongside producers from Asia, the USA, Scotland, and Guadeloupe. Ian Burrell, an IWSC Spirits Judging Committee member, described the results as a noticeable step forward in quality, noting that producers are stepping up with balanced and flavoursome products. Timothy Falzon, an IWSC Judge and General Manager of Experimental Cocktail Club, emphasized that while diversity is apparent, the best examples must communicate what they were made from.
Nigel Mark added that top spirits displayed immense complexity with great integration of alcohol and sweetness. Roger Barnes, a senior spirits strategist, described the Japanese flight as outstanding despite the spirits being only two years old. The results reflect a category increasingly comfortable with its own diversity rather than one style dominating.
Production & Profile
Five expressions from Foursquare in Barbados received 98 points and gold outstanding medals, ranging from 15 to 21 years of age. Specific releases include the Penultimus 15 YO Rum, Indomitas 15 YO Rum, Supernum 21 YO Rum, Mandamus 16 YO Rum, and Epilogue 19 YO Rum. Shinozaki Co. from Japan delivered exceptional quality at a young age with The Wild & South C 2 YO Rum receiving 98 points and gold outstanding. Other expressions from the producer’s two-year-old Wild & South range also collected gold medals. St. Nicholas Abbey contributed the 12 YO Rare Single Cask Strength Rum, while Worthy Park Estate offered an Overproof Rum and Islay Spirits No2 Limited presented The Original Islay Overproof Rum.
What This Means
The results indicate a category increasingly comfortable with its own diversity rather than one style dominating. Ian Burrell noted that growing quality is helping rum establish itself more firmly as a premium spirit where consumers are interested in provenance and transparency. He believes rum can increasingly be something to sip and savour alongside any other premium aged or unaged spirit.
Consumer Takeaway
The 2026 competition results offer a selection of rums from all over the world, demonstrating how varied the top end of the category has become. Producers from traditional rum heartlands are joined by medal winners from a growing number of countries, providing drinkers with options that range from young, easy-drinking styles to complex aged expressions.
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