Western Australia’s Thieves Collection has been awarded Best Australian Whisky at the 2025 International Whisky
Competition (IWC) in Kentucky, United States.

The brand’s Gold Single Malt, distilled in Fremantle, impressed judges with a score of 86.56 points, placing
first in the Australian category.

The International Whisky Competition, held annually, is recognised for its rigorous blind tasting methodology and global prestige.

“This recognition is a proud moment for our entire team,” said Thieves Collection Managing Director Michael Simm.

“We created the Gold Single Malt to embody the boldness and integrity of Australian spirit-making and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision resonate on the world stage.”

The Gold Single Malt is distilled in Fremantle using 100% Western Australian malted barley and undergoes a slow fermentation and triple distillation through bespoke copper stills.

Morris Rutherglen Australian Single Malt Whisky (85.02 pts) took out second place at the awards, while the Thieves Collection Gold Bourbon-Style also earned third place in the Australian category.

The full range of Thieves Collection spirits is available at select retailers nationwide and online at https://thievescollection.com/.

Top 15 whiskies of 2025

Global Whisky of the Year went to Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (97.04 Pts). Kavalan also won Distillery of the Year, while the Head of R&D at Kavalan Distillery, Zerose Yang, won Master Distiller of the Year.

1. Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 97.04 Pts
2. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #4) – 97.01 Pts
3. Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 3 – 96.50 Pts
4. Hogback Peated Smoke Single Malt Whiskey – 96.39 Pts
5. Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 – 96.34 Pts
6. Mister Sam – 96.20 Pts
7. Whiskey Row Cask Strength – 96.20 Pts
8. Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old – 95.94 Pts
9. Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 95.78 Pts
10. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B525 – 95.73 Pts
11. Kavalan Solist Palo Cortado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 95.68 Pts
12. 1792 Full Proof – 95.64 Pts
13. Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 – 95.32 Pts
14. Thomas H. Handy – 95.11 Pts
15. Stagg – 95.05 Pts

View the full results here.