International Whisky Competition

The International Whisky Competition (IWC) is an annual spirits competition that evaluates and ranks whiskies from around the world through a blind tasting process. The event is known for its rigorous scoring methodology and Olympic-style awards format, assigning only three medals per category to highlight only the very best spirits in each category. WTHR Indiana News Leader. Retrieved March 3, 2016

History The International Whisky Competition was established in 2010 to provide a structured judging environment for whisky producers worldwide. In 2016, the results began being used to produce an International Whisky Guide.

Initially based in Chicago, the competition later became a traveling event. It has been hosted in various U.S. and international locations, including Las Vegas (2017-2019), Estes Park, Colorado (2020-2022); Bardstown, Kentucky (2023); the Isle of Raasay, Scotland (2024), and Louisville, Kentucky (2024 and 2025).

In 2014, Michael Petrucci stepped down from the competition, and in 2015 Sebastien Gavillet took over as head of the tasting panel, restructuring the competition and implemented a new tasting methodology. Starting in 2016, entry samples began being archived for referencing. Whiskey Wash. June 6 2016. Retrieved March 1 2017

Format

Scope and Participation The competition judges a range of whisky styles, including single malt, blended whisky, bourbon, and cask-strength expressions. Award-winning entries have come from countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, and India, with producers from, among others, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Scotland also participating.

Judging Process The IWC's panel of judges evaluate whiskies using a double-blind tasting format. Judges do not know the brand, country of origin, whisky style, or alcohol content of the samples they evaluate.

Each whisky is assessed individually—not in direct comparison to others as is the case in other competitions—and scored across four weighted categories: appearance, aroma, taste/mouth-feel, and finish. Judges have up to eight minutes to evaluate each sample. Each whisky is then scored using a 100-point system based on 15 criteria, and gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the top entries in each category. Besides the medal system, the competition publishes a ranked top 15 every year. This system was developed by Sébastien Gavillet and was implemented in 2015. Judges have included Stephen Beal and Francesco Lafranconi. +IWC Scoring SystemCategoriesItemsPointsSightColor0Visual Appeal5NoseIntensity and Complexity15Distinctiveness of Aromas10Balance of Aromas10TastePalate and Balance10Alcohol Body and Complexity10Distinctiveness of Flavours10Balance Between Flavours10FinishLength and Finish10Quality of Finish10

Awards The International Whisky Competition presents a range of honors each year. The "Whisky of the Year" award recognizes the highest-scoring whisky across all categories. Other awards include "Distillery of the Year" and "Master Distiller of the Year".

In addition, the IWC presents Best in Class awards for specific categories such as Best Bourbon, Best Rye, Best Single Malt, and Best Blended Scotch. The competition follows an Olympic-style medal system, awarding only one Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze medal per category. This limited-medal approach is a defining characteristic of the IWC’s judging format.

Results

Whisky of the Year The Whisky of the Year title is awarded to the highest scoring whisky of the competition. YearWinnerScoreDistilleryRef2025Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask97.04Kavalan Distillery2024Aultmore Oloroso Sherry Cask Travel Retail 25 Year Old98.31Bacardi (Aultmore)2023Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Mortlach 1989 31 Year Old97.1Gordon & MacPhail2022Aberlour A'bunadh Batch 7095.8Aberlour Distillery2021Ardbeg Uigeadail95.9Ardbeg Distillery2020Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old96.4Dewar’s2019Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 199197Glenmorangie2018Aberlour A'bunadh97.4Aberlour Distillery2017Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release97.3Ardbeg Distillery2016Glenmorangie Signet97Glenmorangie2015John Walker & Sons King George V97Johnnie Walker (Diageo)

Master Distiller of the Year The Master Distillery of the Year title is awarded to the distiller of the highest scoring whisky from a single distillery. YearWinnerDistilleryRef2025Zerose Yang – Head of R&DKavalan Distillery2024N/AN/A2023Bob ChristineMortlach Distillery2022Graeme CruickshankAberlour Distillery2021Dr. Bill LumsdenGlemorangie & Ardbeg Distillery2020Dr. Bill LumsdenGlemorangie Distillery

Distillery of the Year The Distillery of the Year title is awarded to the distillery with the highest overall score, based on a weighted formula that factors in both product quality and portfolio representation. Partial submissions will reduce the final score. YearWinnerCountryScoreRef2025Kavalan DistilleryTaiwan92.78 (Avg.)2024N/AN/AN/A2023Kavalan DistilleryTaiwan92.45 (Avg.)2022Ardbeg DistilleryScotland, UK92.59 (Avg.)2021Kavalan DistilleryTaiwanN/A2020Ardbeg DistilleryScotland, UKN/A

Master Blender of the Year The Master Blender of the Year title is awarded to the blender of the highest scoring blended whisky from two or more distilleries. YearWinnerScoreDistilleryRef2025Drew Mayville (Mister Sam)96.2Sazerac2024Stephanie MacleodN/ABacardi2023Stephanie MacleodN/AJohn Dewar & Sons2022Stephanie MacleodN/AJohn Dewar & Sons2021Stephanie MacleodN/AJohn Dewar & Sons2020Stephanie MacleodN/AJohn Dewar & Sons

Producer of the Year (formerly "Distiller of the Year") The Producer of the Year title is awarded to the company with the highest overall score, based on a weighted formula that factors in both product quality and portfolio representation. Partial submissions will reduce the final score. YearWinnerRef2025Bacardi2024Bacardi Golden Barrel Trophy The Golden Barrel Trophy is awarded to the winning distillery the produced the Whisky of the Year. The trophy will be kept by the winner until the following year's competition, and the name of each winner is engraved in the trophy's marble base to commemorate the history of each annual winner. YearWinnerRef2025Kavalan Distillery2024Aultmore Distillery (Bacardi)2023Gordon & MacPhail2022Aberlour Distillery2021Ardbeg Distillery2020John Dewar & Sons Scotland Best Single Malt Scotch Year Whisky ScoreDistilleryRef 2025 Oloroso Sherry Cask GTR 25 Years Old 95.10Aultmore

Best Blended Scotch Rank Whisky ScoreDistilleryRef 2025 Double Double 21 Years Old 95.94Dewar

Best Indian Whisky Year Whisky Score Distillery Ref 2025 DeVANS Gianchand Indian Single Malt Whisky Adambaraa 92.68 DeVANS

International Whisky Competition

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