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Forbes
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The 10 Best Whiskies Of 2025—According To The International Whisky Competition
The U.S., Scotland and Taiwan produced the best whiskies of 2025 according to the International Whisky Competition. getty The geographic diversity of the top 10 highest-scoring whiskies awarded at this year's International Whisky Competition is what stands out the most to Max Solano, the competition's director. 'This year's results tell a fascinating story about where whisky is headed,' Solano said in an email. He added that this year's top 10 winners were truly global, 'with whiskies from Taiwan, Scotland, and across the U.S., and with the U.S. doing the best it's ever done in the history of the competition.' Whiskys entered into this competition undergo a rigorous double-blind taste-test in which judges sample products unaware of their countries of origin, whisky subcategories, or ABV. So scotches compete against bourbons and ryes etc. So the top 10 highest-rated whiskys at this year's competition represent the judges' favorites without regard to label, geography, or preconceived notions. This has the added advantage of giving whiskys produced in unexpected regions of the globe a chance to shine and challenge more established whisky-producing countries and regions. Beyond this, the International Whisky Competition is different than most spirits competitions because it only awards three awards per category. Because of this, spirit producers tend to only submit what they deem their best products, Solano said. Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 97.04 Pts A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #4) – 97.01 Pts Jack Daniel's 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 3 – 96.50 Pts Hogback Peated Smoke Single Malt Whiskey – 96.39 Pts Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey - Batch 3633 – 96.34 Pts Mister Sam – 96.20 Pts Whiskey Row Cask Strength – 96.20 Pts Dewar's Double Double 21 Years Old – 95.94 Pts Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 95.78 Pts Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B525 – 95.73 Pts 'Kavalan once again proved why it's a global powerhouse, with two of its expressions, led by the Whisky of the Year, Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, placing in the top 10,' Solano said. 'Its elegant, tropical, sherry-driven profile continues to redefine what world whisky can be.' As mentioned above, U.S. whisky producers fared better than they ever have before in the competition. 'Seven American whiskies made the top 10, including some younger and rising distilleries,' Solano Tennessee is making a strong comeback, with Jack Daniel's and Uncle Nearest emerging as serious contenders; the rise of American Single Malt is undeniable, led by craft distiller Hogback Peated Smoke; and, for the first time, a blended American whiskey, Mister Sam, broke into the top 10. Meanwhile, established icons like Dewar's Double Double series continue to show why they're perennial favorites, holding strong in the top 10 year after year.' Beyond the top 10 whiskey winners, Colorado emerged as a dominant force in the competition, sweeping the American Single Malt whiskey category and further demonstrating just how diverse elite whisky production has become in the modern world.
Forbes
04-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Whiskey—According To The International Whiskey Competition
Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky earned world's best honors at this year's International Whiskey Competition Kavalan Single Malt Whisky The International Whiskey Competition announced Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky as the whiskey of the year for 2025 in late June. The whiskey, made in Taiwan, outscored all other whiskeys entered in the competition—including bourbons, Scotches and more—earning the 97.04 rating, the highest score of the year. Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky rose to the top of the judges' scoring sheets after rigorous double-blind taste-testing in which judges tasted whiskeys blind to their names, countries of origin, categories, or ABV. 'Each whisky is evaluated individually by a single panel, ensuring fairness and depth of analysis. Each entry is scored on its own merits,' said Max Solano, competition director for the International Whisky Competition, via email. Unlike many other spirits competitions, the International Whiskey Competition only awards three medals: gold, silver and bronze per category. Because of this, Solano said, 'Producers tend to submit their very best. Any judge on the IWC panel will tell you it is rare to come across a whiskey that does not meet a high standard.' Solano added, 'This year, we saw a growing trend toward experimental distilling, new barrel treatment techniques, and the emergence of regions previously overlooked. The international diversity and high average quality of submissions were impressive.' Nowhere was that geographic diversity more apparent than in the whiskey that earned the world's best honors for 2025. Kavalan Distillery in Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. The distillery took home top honors at this year's International Whisky Competition. Kavalan Distillery Judges were instantly wowed by the complexity of the Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky. Adam Edmondson, Master of Whiskey at The International Whiskey Competition, noted: 'On the nose, it bursts with mango, apricot, and grilled pineapple, layered with almonds, dried figs, and oak spice. The palate offers rich plum, brandied cherries, dark chocolate, and the dry finesse of fino sherry. The finish lingers with coffee, sandalwood, and dried citrus.' Solano said, 'The Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky stood out for its depth and elegance.' He adds, 'it delivers a complex, layered experience from start to finish. On the nose, there are notes of mango, apricot, and grilled pineapple, layered with almonds, dried figs, and oak spice. The palate offers rich plum, brandied cherries, dark chocolate, and the dry finesse of fino sherry. The finish lingers with coffee, sandalwood, and dried citrus, all wrapped in a silky texture that carries through beautifully. It is both powerful and refined. Additional Awards For Kavalan Whiskey Zerose Yang, Kavalan Distillery's head of R&D, was named Master Distiller of the Year at the International Whiskey Competition. Kavalan Distillery In addition to winning whiskey of the year honors, Kavalan Distillery also took home 'Distillery of the Year' honors, and Zerose Yang, the distillery's head of R&D, was named Master Distiller of the Year. The distillery also had three whiskeys ranked in the top 15 rated whiskeys at the competition. The No. 1 ranked Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky was, of course, one of these, but the distillery also turned heads for the Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, which scored 95.78 points, and for its No. 11—Solist Palo Cortado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, which scored 95.68 points. Solano said overall Kavalan Distillery showcased 'what modern Taiwanese whisky is capable of when tradition meets innovation.'
