Tasmanian distilleries have dominated the World Whiskies Awards 2026, winning 14 Category Awards (including eight Country & Category Winners) in the Taste competition.
Tasmanian producers also took home 15 gold medals, 27 silver and 38 bronze, plus five prestigious ‘Icons of Whisky’ awards that recognise industry professionals and achievements.
Together, Tasmanian distilleries won 80 medals in addition to 14 category wins, representing 94 of the total 133 awards won by Australian distilleries.
Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Association (TWSA) President Kristy Lark said: “Tasmania has been at the forefront of global whisky excellence since Sullivans Cove first won World’s Best Single Malt Whisky in 2014.
“More than a decade later, these awards prove our continued dominance isn’t luck – it’s the result of Tasmania’s unique combination of world-class crafsmanship, pristine environment and unwavering commitment to quality.
“These award wins demonstrate why now is the right time for strategic investment by the Tasmanian Government to accelerate export opportunities, giving more consumers worldwide the chance to enjoy award-winning Tasmanian whiskies while generating greater interest in whisky tourism to Tasmania.
“This creates a powerful multiplier effect, delivering regional employment, and benefits throughout the supply chain.”
Country & Category Awards
- Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt 13 to 20 Years (Country & Category Winner) – Sullivans
Cove, French Oak White Wine Old & Rare TD0112 - Best Australian Singe Cask Single Malt 21 Years & Over (Category Winner) – Sullivans Cove,
American Oak Second Fill Old & Rare HH0010 - Best Australian Single Malt (Country & Category Winner) – Callington Mill, Amphora
- Best Australian Rye (Country & Category Winner) – Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co., Quadruple
Cask Rye - Best Australian Single Cask Single Rye (Country & Category Winner) – Greenbanks Tasmanian
Whisky Co., Rye Cask 027 - Best Australian New Make & Young Spirit (Category Winner) – Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co.,
Wheat – Rye – Malt New Make - Best Australian Grain Whisky 13 to 20 years (Country & Category Winner) – Hellyers Road,
Anniversary Collection 2005 Grain Whisky 20 Years Old Single Cask 5180 - Best Australian Single Malt 21 Years & Over (Category Winner) – Hellyers Road, 21 Club Blue Gum
- Australian Single Malt 13 to 20 Years (Country & Category Winner) – Hellyers Road, Barnbougle
20th Anniversary Release - Best Australian Single Malt 12 Years & Under (Category Winner) – Hellyers Road, Quinta do Portal
11 Years Old - Best Australian Pot Still No Age Statement (Category Winner) – Hunter Island Tasmanian Pot Still
Whisky, Apera Cask Matured - Best Australian Small Batch Single Malt (Country & Category Winner) – Overeem Whisky, Pedro
Ximenez Cask Matured - Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt (Category Winner) – Overeem Whisky, Bourbon Cask
Distiller Strength - Best Australian Pot Still 12 Years & Under (Category Winner) – Transportation Whiskey, Snug
Icons of Whisky Awards
- Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year – Chris Thomson (LARK)
- Innovation Manager of the Year– Heather Tillod (Sullivans Cove Distillery)
- Warehouse Manager of the Year – Marcelo Viaplana (Sullivans Cove Distillery)
- Sales Team of the Year – Sullivans Cove
- Campaign Innovator of the Year – Sullivans Cove
- Craf Producer of the Year (Highly Commended) – Furneaux Distillery
- Visitor Adraction Manager (Highly Commended) – Nicole Kennedy (Furneaux Distillery)
- Brand Ambassador – Scotch Whisky of the Year – Seamus Carroll (The Whisky Club).
In addition to these achievements, Tasmanian distilleries including Badery Point Distillery, Derwent Distillery, Furneaux Distillery, Hillwood, Hobart Whisky, Lark, Old Kempton, Spring Bay Distillery, Waubs Harbour and Western Tiers Distillery contributed to the medal tally.
Big week for Lark
LARK Distilling Co. Master Distiller Chris Thomson was named Master Distiller/Blender of the Year – Rest
of the World at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards Icons of Whisky.
Thomson will now progress as a finalist for the Global Icon of Whisky Award, to be announced later this year in London.
“This is fantastic recognition for the dedication and craftsmanship of our distilling and blending team at our new Pontville Distillery,” Thomson said.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see our uniquely Tasmanian whiskies so positively received on the world stage. This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for LARK as we prepare to launch new whiskies globally.”
Thomson started his career at LARK in 2007, becoming a distiller in 2010.
“I want to pay tribute to the entire team at LARK for their contribution. When I started on the bottling line, I was under the tutelage of both Bill and Lyn Lark.”
The award follows a significant week for the LARK family, with founder and whisky pioneer Bill Lark AM recognised as Australia’s first modern-day distiller to be appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
See all the Australian Gold medal winners here.