Overview: The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has officially revealed the 2026 Spirits Trophy winners following the conclusion of its judging process. A total of 24 Spirits Trophies were awarded across whisky, gin, rum, agave spirits, brandy, liqueurs and more, recognising the highest-performing individual spirits from across the competition.
The Full Story
Earlier this year, IWSC expert judges assessed thousands of spirits from producers around the world, awarding the very best with coveted Gold & Gold Outstanding medals. Several members of the IWSC Spirits Judging Committee then reconvened to retaste the top-performing entries and select the bottles worthy of the competition’s highest individual accolades. The winners represent the pinnacle of achievement for an individual bottle at the IWSC.
Whisky once again featured prominently among this year’s Trophy winners, with Scotch whisky recognised across three Trophies spanning both single malt and blended styles. Whisky Trophies went to producers from across the world, with winners in Bourbon, American, Irish, Worldwide and Scotch whisky categories. Gin demonstrated its international reach, with the Classic, Contemporary and Flavoured Gin Trophies going to producers from Japan, Laos and Taiwan respectively.
The breadth of this year’s winners extended beyond the major spirits categories, with Trophies awarded for Bitters, Fruit Spirits, RTDs, Other Distilled Spirits and Wine-Based Flavoured Drinks. Asian spirits continued to impress, with Trophies recognising both Baijiu and Shochu. Among other notable winners, Hampden Estate Great House Distillery Edition 2025 Rum was named Rum Trophy winner, while Alexandrion Saber Distilleries’ 1789 Alexander Vodka was given the Vodka Trophy.
Production & Profile
Scotch whisky was represented across three categories. Bowmore 9 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky took the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Under 20 YO Trophy, while East Asia Whisky Company’s 35 YO Manta Ray Genesis Bunnahabhain Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky claimed the Over 20 YO Trophy. In the blended category, Chivas Brothers’ Royal Salute 21 YO Signature Blended Scotch Whisky was awarded the Trophy.
Irish Whiskey Trophy went to Teeling Whiskey’s Distillery Exclusive 20 YO Mongolian Oak Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey, while Wan Ja Shan Distillery’s Dawu Malt Blended Whiskey was named Worldwide Whiskey Trophy winner. In Bourbon, Willett Distillery’s Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond 4 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey claimed the Bourbon Trophy, while Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Lochs of Jura Barrel 10 YO American Whiskey took the American Whiskey Trophy.
What This Means
The growing ready-to-drink category was represented by Rossi Distillery & Winery’s Teranino Orange, winner of the RTD Trophy, while Brown Brothers Moscato Strawberries & Cream NV took home the Wine-Based Flavoured Drinks Trophy. The results highlight a significant shift in global production capabilities, with Asian distilleries showcasing their skills across gin and other spirits categories.
Consumer Takeaway
The winners of the IWSC’s Producer Trophies, recognising excellence and consistency across an entire portfolio, will be revealed at the IWSC Awards Ceremony on 24 November 2026. For the drinker, this release offers access to a curated selection of aged spirits ranging from four years old to over thirty-five years, alongside unique cask finishes such as Mongolian Oak.
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