Hellyers Road’s 21-Year-Old Peated Cask Finish 20F05c01 has won Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
The World Whiskies Awards are the most respected global awards recognising fine whisky, with more than 200 experts blind judging thousands of whiskies from around the world.
The World Whiskies Awards follows a two-stage judging process. In January 2025, category winners were announced for Australian whiskies, with Hellyers Road securing top titles in several categories. These winners were then re-judged in March 2025, where national and global winners were determined.
The global winners were unveiled in a ceremony at the Waldof Hotel in London on 26 March.
Awards Director Anita Ujszaszi said: “It’s been another incredible year for the World Whiskies Awards. We’ve tasted some truly exceptional products and it’s been wonderful to hear from passionate whisky producers and industry professionals from all over the world. Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to all entrants. We can’t wait to see you next year!”
Hellyers Road 21-Year-Old Peated Cask Finish 20F05c01 was recognised as the Best Australian Single Malt Whisky after competing against other outstanding Australian whiskies.
Hellyers Road Distillery CEO Derek Charge said: “Winning Best Australian Single Malt Whisky with Hellyers Road 21-Year-Old Peated Cask Finish 20F05c01 is an incredible achievement.
“This award reaffirms the dedication and passion that goes into every bottle we produce. Our whisky, particularly our aged whiskies, are a product of, and testament to the wild, rugged, and pristine landscapes of North West Tasmania.
“This uniquely pure and temperate environment provides a unique maturation environment, even within Tasmania. The
result is clear – Hellyers Road has consistently won top awards for its whiskies. It’s an honour to see our exceptional whiskies recognised on the world stage once again.”
Hellyers Road Distillery Head Distiller Fiona Coutts said: “The Hellyers Road 21-Year-Old Peated Cask Finish 20F05c01 is a true testament to the quality of the peated whiskies crafted at Hellyers Road, and is made all the more remarkable by our maritime bond stores, a mere stone’s throw from the tumult of Bass strait.
“The interplay of sweet smoke, maritime salinity, coastal botanicals, and the rich, layered complexity makes this whisky stand out, and we’re thrilled to see it celebrated with this prestigious award.”
The whisky launched on the distillery’s website on Friday.
Australia’s Best Single Cask Single Malt
Sullivans Cove won Australia’s Best Single Cask Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for its 18-Year-Old American Oak Second-Fill Single Cask Nº TD0033.
This marks the seventh time the distillery has won ‘Australia’s Best’ since 2017, spanning the ‘Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt’ and ‘Best Australian Single Malt’ categories.
The 18-Year-Old American Oak Second-Fill Single Cask Nº TD0033 was filled in September 2005 and bottled in September 2023, following an impressive 18-year maturation. From this 200L cask, only 169 bottles were produced, each at a robust 47.3% ABV. This whisky’s tasting profile features rich notes of vanilla, caramel, coconut and fruit, complemented by delicate hints of white floral and herbal undertones. T
Distillery Manager Heather Tillott said: “A second fill cask winning the top single cask single malt in Australia is a significant moment for Australian whisky, and signals the dawn of a new chapter in the maturity of the modern Australian whisky industry. As always, Sullivans leads the way. I could not be prouder of our team and their consistently considered approach to each and every cask.”
Managing Director Adam Sable said: “An amazing achievement for a team wholly dedicated to crafting whisky of the highest quality. To be recognised as we celebrate 30 years of Sullivans Cove and the reopening of our distillery and visitor experience is incredible.”
Australia’s Best Blended Malt
LARK Distillery’s Symphony Nº1 was named Best Australian Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards – its fourth consecutive win.
LARK’s Head Distiller and Master Blender, Chris Thomson, wove the complexity of American oak bourbon with the balance of sherry and heavier depth of port to form a creamy, oily melody of flavours.
The whisky is described as luscious and fruity on the nose with fresh mango, toasted pineapple and vanilla.
“Tasmanian apples dipped in toffee dance on the palate as it evolves into a fruity and citrus finish,” LARK said.
World’s Best winners for 2025
World Whiskies Awards Global Winners 2025
World’s Best Design
Tenmile Distillery, Little Rest
World’s Best Canadian Blended
Collingwood, Double Barreled
World’s Best Flavoured Whisky
Cocoa Bomb, Chocolate
World’s Best New Make & Young Spirit
Ve De Di, Pale Ale Mash
World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey
Sponsored by Brindiamo
Jack Daniel’s, Tennessee 12 Years Old Batch #2
World’s Best Bourbon
Sponsored by the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Old Fitzgerald, 2024 VVS
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s, Straight from the Barrel
World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Boulder Spirits, 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon
World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Wenzel, Sherry
World’s Best Corn
Ironroot Republic, Hubris Corn
World’s Best Wheat
Thy Whisky, Heritage Wheat
World’s Best Single Cask Single Grain
The Westfalian, 2012 TW08
World’s Best Grain
Fercullen, 15
World’s Best Single Cask Single Rye
Stauning, Smoked Rye Virgin Cask #1359
World’s Best Rye
GrainHenge, Arrowwood
World’s Best Pot Still
Redbreast, 27 Years Old
World’s Best Blended Limited Release
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain, 2025 Blended Japanese Whisky
World’s Best Blended Malt
Great Drams, Campbeltown
World’s Best Blended
Three Ships, Bourbon Cask
World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt
Stryker, Ex Haak Madeira Cask Finished Single Malt
World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt
High Coast, Distillery Exclusive 11
World’s Best Single Malt
The GlenAllachie, Speyside Single Malt 12 Years Old