International Whisky Competition
Annual tasting event in Chicago, US
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1][2][3]
Logo of the International Whisky Competition | |
| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Type | Competition |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Location |
|
Competition Director | Max A. Solano |
| Website | https://www.whiskycompetition.com/ |
History
The International Whisky Competition was established in 2010 to provide a structured judging environment for whisky producers worldwide.[4] In 2016, the results began being used to produce an International Whisky Guide.[5]
Initially based in Chicago,[6] 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).[7]
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.[8]
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,[9] with producers from, among others, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Scotland also participating.[10][11][12]
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.[13]
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.[14] 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.[15] Besides the medal system, the competition publishes a ranked top 15 every year.[13] This system was developed by Sébastien Gavillet and was implemented in 2015.[3] Judges have included Stephen Beal and Francesco Lafranconi.[14][16]
| Categories | Items | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Sight | Color | 0 |
| Visual Appeal | 5 | |
| Nose | Intensity and Complexity | 15 |
| Distinctiveness of Aromas | 10 | |
| Balance of Aromas | 10 | |
| Taste | Palate and Balance | 10 |
| Alcohol Body and Complexity | 10 | |
| Distinctiveness of Flavours | 10 | |
| Balance Between Flavours | 10 | |
| Finish | Length and Finish | 10 |
| Quality of Finish | 10 |
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".[3]
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.[3]
Results
Whisky of the Year
The Whisky of the Year title is awarded to the highest scoring whisky of the competition.[18]
| Year | Winner | Score | Distillery | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask | 97.04 | Kavalan Distillery | [19] |
| 2024 | Aultmore Oloroso Sherry Cask Travel Retail 25 Year Old | 98.31 | Bacardi (Aultmore) | |
| 2023 | Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Mortlach 1989 31 Year Old | 97.1 | Gordon & MacPhail | |
| 2022 | Aberlour A'bunadh Batch 70 | 95.8 | Aberlour Distillery | |
| 2021 | Ardbeg Uigeadail | 95.9 | Ardbeg Distillery | |
| 2020 | Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old | 96.4 | Dewar’s | |
| 2019 | Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 | 97 | Glenmorangie | |
| 2018 | Aberlour A'bunadh | 97.4 | Aberlour Distillery | |
| 2017 | Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release | 97.3 | Ardbeg Distillery | |
| 2016 | Glenmorangie Signet | 97 | Glenmorangie | |
| 2015 | John Walker & Sons King George V | 97 | Johnnie 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.[20]
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.[20]
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.[20]
| Year | Winner | Score | Distillery | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drew Mayville (Mister Sam) | 96.2 | Sazerac | [20] |
| 2024 | Stephanie Macleod | N/A | Bacardi | [18] |
| 2023 | Stephanie Macleod | N/A | John Dewar & Sons | [18] |
| 2022 | Stephanie Macleod | N/A | John Dewar & Sons | [18] |
| 2021 | Stephanie Macleod | N/A | John Dewar & Sons | [18] |
| 2020 | Stephanie Macleod | N/A | John Dewar & Sons | [18] |
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.[18]
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.[21]
Scotland
Best Single Malt Scotch
| Year | Whisky | Score | Distillery | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Oloroso Sherry Cask GTR 25 Years Old | 95.10 | Aultmore | [23] |
Best Blended Scotch
| Rank | Whisky | Score | Distillery | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Double Double 21 Years Old | 95.94 | Dewar | [23] |
Best Indian Whisky
| Year | Whisky | Score | Distillery | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | DeVANS Gianchand Indian Single Malt Whisky Adambaraa | 92.68 | DeVANS | [24] |
See also
External links
- International Whisky Competition
- Results 2017 Archived 2019-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
- Results 2025