The results of the IWSC 2026 spirits tasting confirm something the industry has been sensing for some time: excellence no longer belongs to a single country, or even to a handful of historic regions. The world map of spirits has expanded. Major houses, craft distilleries and producers from emerging territories now compete with increasingly precise, better-made releases that show a clearer sense of identity.
Held in London, the competition brought together an international panel of specialists across different categories, from whisky and rum to gin, vodka, liqueurs, baijiu and agave spirits. Beyond the medal table, the most interesting aspect of this edition is the broader message: consumers are looking for quality, but also balance, provenance, authenticity and approachable styles that do not sacrifice complexity.
An especially strong year for liqueurs and rum
One of the most striking surprises of this edition was the exceptionally high standard shown by liqueurs. Several expressions reached scores of 99 points, a sign that a category often associated with occasional drinking or after-dinner moments is entering a phase of greater technical ambition. Profiles built around nuts, citrus, creams and indulgent combinations stood out when presented with polished texture, measured sweetness and clearly defined aromas.
Among the highest-rated liqueurs were Martin Albus Lješnjaka by Orahovica and Soplica’s pistachio and white chocolate liqueur. Citrus liqueurs also achieved very high scores: Pallini’s El Limoncello and El Limoncello by Macellaio Spirits, Oragecello by Morikawaraten, Asuki Yuzu Liqueur and Yuzucello.
Rum also emerged stronger. The category showed real depth, both in expressions rooted in Caribbean tradition and in bottlings from less expected regions. Foursquare once again ranked among the standout names, with several top-level medals: Penultimus 15 YO Rum, Indomitas 15 YO Rum, Supernum 21 YO Rum, Mandamus 16 YO Rum, Epilogue 19 YO Rum, while agricole or cane-based rums confirmed the growing interest in styles with a stronger raw-material identity: St Nicholas Abbey 12 YO Rare Single Cask Strength Rum and Le 55 Rhum by Distillerie Longueteau
The presence of Asian countries in the rum landscape is especially noteworthy. Japan, among others, is beginning to show that the category can be reinterpreted beyond its classic territories, provided there is rigour in fermentation, distillation and ageing, as seen in the special gold medal awarded to The Wild & South C 2 YO Rum by Shinozaki Co. and the five gold medals earned by other rums in The Wild & South range.
Contemporary rum is no longer understood solely as a matter of tropical origin, but as a combination of technique, climate, wood and concept.
Gin: precision, terroir and less artifice
Gin continues to evolve, but the results point to a greater maturity. The best examples did not simply pile on botanicals; instead, they showed structure, aromatic clarity and a coherent development on the palate. In higher-strength gins, such as Navy Strength styles, the margin for error is smaller: any imbalance is amplified. When they work, therefore, they reflect exceptionally precise distillation.
In Contemporary Gins, the awards went to: Lao Gin by Lao Distilling Company, Tanqueray No Ten Gin, Aureus Vita Gin by Krenngala Meurth Distilling Company and Taiwan Coriander Superb Craft Gin by Lungtien Distillery.
In the Classic Gin category, the special award went to Juniper Freak Gin by Never Never Distilling.
A clear trend can also be seen in flavoured gins: less superficial sweetness and a stronger search for local identity. Fruits, spices, teas, citrus, herbs and regional ingredients are appearing with an increasingly gastronomic purpose. The key is that juniper should not disappear, and that the final result should still be recognisable as gin, not as an aromatised liqueur.
In Flavoured Gins, the special award went to Haskap Gin by Black For Farm and Distillery. Other special awards went to Mermaid Winter Gin and Mermaid Zest Gin by Isle of Wight Distillery, Gin-root by Yunnan Distillery, Dried Smoked Longan Gin by Nong Distillery Co. and Matcha Gin by SiCX Kyoto Distillery.
Whisky: balance over excessive experimentation
In Scotch whisky, the message from the results is clear: innovation has value when it rests on solid foundations. The award-winning expressions include both distillery bottlings and independent selections, but they share a common idea: oak should support the spirit, not smother it.
At a time when finishes in unusual casks have greatly expanded the market’s options, the judges rewarded patience, integration and a deft handling of oak. The cask remains decisive, but its role is not to impose aromas abruptly; it is to build layers: fruit, cereal, spice, toasted notes, texture and finish.
Six Scotch whiskies were awarded Outstanding Gold: Glengoyne 17 YO Scottish Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky by Ian Macleod Distillers, Deanston's Orange Wine Cask 17 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky, East Asia Whisky Company's 35 YO Manta Ray Genesis Bunnahabhain Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The GlenAllachie 18 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Spiritfilled's Mythical Beasts Aberlour 13 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Bowmore 9 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Irish whiskey also delivered a strong performance within the world whiskies section, earning four Outstanding Gold medals: Tullamore Dew Special Reserve 12 YO Blended Irish Whiskey, The Donn Single Malt Irish Whiskey, and two expressions from Teeling: Distillery Exclusive 20 YO Mongolian Oak Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey and 33 YO Very Rare Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
International growth is being driven by a wide range of styles, from approachable blended whiskeys to more complex single malts. Added to this is the progress of producers from Denmark, Taiwan, China, Korea and other countries, who are no longer trying to imitate classic models but to develop a voice of their own, shaped by climate, grain, water, yeasts and maturation conditions.
Mezcal leads the momentum in agave spirits
Within agave spirits, mezcal has been one of the standout categories. Ancestral and artisanal expressions stood out for their complexity, but above all for their integration. In this category, the value lies not only in smokiness, sometimes misunderstood, but in the combination of mature agave, cooking, spontaneous or controlled fermentations, traditional distillation and a sense of place.
The highest-rated mezcals showed spicy, fruity, mineral and earthy profiles. That aromatic breadth explains why mezcal has moved from being a niche drink to occupying a significant place in signature cocktails, gastronomy and slow, considered drinking. Tequila also remains strong across its different categories, but mezcal seems to be attracting particular attention when presented with authenticity and balance.
Four mezcals were awarded Outstanding Gold medals: Ancestral Ensamble Joven Mezcal by Mezcal Reina, Vago Ensamble En Barro Joven Ancestral Mezcal by Heaven Hill Brands, Sepulto Ensamble Artesanal Mezcal by La Huaracha Vinata and Pensador Ensamble Joven Artesanal Mezcal by Meanwhile Drinks.
Vodka and baijiu: technical categories gaining visibility
Vodka, often seen as a neutral spirit, once again showed that neutrality does not mean a lack of character. The best samples stood out for their purity, texture, mineral feel, subtle spice and precision on the finish. The base ingredient — wheat, potato, rice, cereal blends or other raw materials — has more influence than it may seem, especially when distillation aims for cleanliness without completely erasing the identity of its origin.
Three vodkas were awarded Gold Outstanding medals: 62Nordic Spirits, Doa Distilleria Orobica Autonoma and Vodka Alexander by Alexandrion Saber Distilleries
Baijiu, for its part, continues to gain ground in international competitions. It is a complex category for European consumers, with solid-state fermentations, intense aromas and very distinct stylistic families. Its presence among the highest-level results reinforces interest in spirits with their own cultural codes and sensory profiles far removed from the Western canon.
The special baijiu award went to Binhe 12 YO Baijiu by Gansu Binhe Nine-Grain Liquor Co.; Shi Rongxiao Liquor Secret Recipe 6 Baijiu by Guizhou Rongtaihe Shaofang Shirongxiao Winery Co. also received an award.
The most diverse brandy category
The 2026 awards highlight the broad range of producing regions, from Cognac and French brandy to grappa and Serbian brandy.
Among the most highly rated products was Grappa Riserva Speciale Barolo Millesimata by Distilleria Sibona, while Serbia also received an award for Baraba Lozovaca by Podrum Palic 1896. In France, two brandies were awarded: De Moncy XO Brandy by Hawkins Distribution and XO Frenc Brandy by M&S.
What these results tell us about today’s consumer
IWSC 2026 offers several useful insights into where the market is heading:
- A true globalisation of quality: belonging to a prestigious region is no longer enough; execution matters more than origin alone.
- A return to balance: the most highly rated categories reward integration, structure and drinkability, not just rarity.
- Local identity: botanicals, raw materials, climates and regional traditions become compelling points of difference.
- Accessibility without oversimplification: consumers are looking for spirits that are easy to understand, but deep enough to return to.
- Respect for traditional methods: especially evident in mezcal, rum and whisky, where technique remains essential.
More than a list of medals, the IWSC 2026 results act as a snapshot of the current state of the industry. Spirits are moving through a period of creative expansion, but also one of natural selection: only propositions with balance, coherence and genuine quality manage to stand out in an increasingly informed market.
Highest scores
- Martin Albus Lješnjaka Liqueur, Orahovica - Gold Outstanding, 99 points
- Navy Gin, Clarity Distilling Company - Gold Outstanding, 99 points
- Pistacchio & White Chocolate Liqueur, Soplica - Gold Outstanding, 99 points
- Limoncello, Pallini SPA - Gold Outstanding, 99 points
- Foursquare Supernum 21 YO Rum, Foursquare - Gold Outstanding, 98 points
- Binhe 12 YO Baijiu, Gansu Binhe Nine-Grain Liquor Co. - Gold Outstanding, 98 points
- Premium Vodka, Doa Distilleria Orobica Autonoma - Gold Outstanding, 98 points
- Ancestral Ensamble Joven Mezcal, Mezcal Reina - Gold Outstanding, 98 points