The global finalists in the World Whiskies Awards 2026 have been revealed and six Australian whiskies are in the running.

For the first time in 2026, country winners have been shortlisted for the title of World’s Best in their respective whisky categories ahead of the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner in London on 25 March 2026.

The global finalists have been selected following tastings by an international panel of expert judges. The Australian finalists include Transportation Whiskey, Snug (Pot Still), Thieves Collection Gold Edition, Bourbon Style (Grain), Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co, Quadruple Cask Rye (Rye), Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co, Rye Cask 027 (Single Rye), Overeem Whisky, Pedro Ximenez Cask Matured (Small Batch Single Malt) and Sullivans Cove, French Oak White Wine Old & Rare TD0112 (Single Cask Single Malt).

World Whiskies Awards chair of judges Bradley Weir said: “I am extremely excited to announce the whiskies shortlisted for the World’s Best in each category. These global finalists represent the incredible products that are being produced in the world right now, capturing the imagination of consumers all over the world. It is going to be a really special time at the end of March, celebrating with all of the winners when the World’s Best are announced.”

The Icons of Whisky Global and two new entrants into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame will also be announced at the World Whiskies Awards Global Dinner.

World Whiskies Awards 2026 — Global Finalists

Global Finalists: New Make & Young Spirit
Best Canadian
Anohka, This is Not Whisky — Alberta Single Malt New Make Spirit
Best Chinese
Faerieferry Distillery, New Make
Best Japanese
Ohtani Whisky Niigata Kameda, NewPot Peated 2026 Edition
Best Scotch
8 Doors Distillery, New Make Spirit
Best Swedish
Gammelstilla, New Make

Global Finalists: Flavoured Whisky
Best American
Cocoa Bomb, Chocolate
Best Japanese
Ohtani Whisky Niigata Kameda, Sweet & Peated
Best Scotch
Woven, WXC

Global Finalists: Corn
Best American
Ironroot Republic, Hubris
Best Canadian
Bearface, Wilderness Series 03 Wild Air Release
Best German
The Westfalian, 2014 TW40 The Westfalian Cowboy
Best Indonesian
Black Jack Whiskey, Classic
Best Mexican
Celtic Hills Whiskey, La Verdadera Historia Cobra Vida

Global Finalists: Pot Still
Best American
Talnua Distillery, Olde Saint’s Keep
Best Australian
Transportation Whiskey, Snug
Best Irish
Spots Whiskey, Red Spot
Best Japanese
Kanosuke, Hioki Pot Still the Mellow Bar Reserve Travel Retail Exclusive

Global Finalists: Grain
Best Australian
Thieves Collection Gold Edition, Bourbon Style
Best Belgian
Waterloo, The Brancardier Single Grain
Best Dutch
Cley, Dutch Malt & Rye Whisky Cask Strength
Best Irish
Fercullen, 15
Best Scotch
Thompson Bros, An Edinburgh Dram — North British Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Global Finalists: Single Cask Single Grain
Best Belgian
Waterloo, The Duke Rum Cask
Best Chinese
Xinliu Heshan, Single Cask Single Grain Whisky
Best German
16 States, Bavarian Whiskey Celtic Style
Best Italian
il Signor Camillo, Whisky italiano dei Monti Liguri
Best Scotch
The Red Cask Company, Girvan 1995 #366056 First Fill PX HHD

Global Finalists: Rye
Best American
Elijah Craig, Toasted Rye
Best Australian
Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co, Quadruple Cask Rye
Best Dutch
Millstone, Rye Whisky Founder’s Reserve 10yo Cask Strength
Best Scotch
InchDairnie Distillery, RyeLaw Scottish Rye Whisky Vintage 2017
Best Spanish
Siderit, 2026 Whisky PX Cask Rye

Global Finalists: Single Cask Single Rye
Best American
Tumblin’ Dice Rye, Single Barrel 11 Years Old
Best Australian
Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co, Rye Cask 027
Best Danish
Thy Whisky, Cask 358
Best Dutch
Millstone, Rye Single Cask 20 Years Old Whisky Cask Strength

Global Finalists: Blended Malt
Best American
Lost Lantern, Shadow & Light
Best Chinese
Kwun Cheung, Blended Malt Whisky Aged in Changbai Mountains Mongolian Oak
Best International
Nikka, Session
Best Japanese
Ichiro’s Malt, Double Distilleries
Best Republic of Korea
Craftbros, Collaboration

Global Finalists: Blended Limited Release
Best American
Old Elk, Cigar Punch Cut
Best Irish
Hinch Irish Whiskey, 15 Years Old Sherry Cask Finish
Best Japanese
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain, Blended Japanese Whisky 2026
Best Scotch
Johnnie Walker, Autumn/Winter Blend
Best Taiwanese
Dawu Whiskey, Dawu Peated Whiskey 2025 Edition

Global Finalists: Blended
Best American Blended
Proof and Wood Curated, Seasons 2024 Extraordinary Blended Whiskey
Best International Blended
The Akkeshi, Kokuu
Best Irish Blended
Jameson, 18 Years Old
Best Japanese Blended
Hibiki, 30 Years Old
Best Scotch Blended
Ballantine’s, 23 Years Old

Global Finalists: Small Batch Single Malt
Best Australian
Overeem Whisky, Pedro Ximenez Cask Matured
Best Canadian
GrainHenge, Elevator Row
Best English
The English, Small Batch Sherry Hogshead
Best Indian
Indri, Diwali Collector’s Edition 2025
Best New Zealand
Pokeno, Alchemy

Global Finalists: Single Cask Single Malt
Best Australian
Sullivans Cove, French Oak White Wine Old & Rare TD0112
Best French
Armorik, Yeun Elez Single Cask 8280
Best New Zealand
Pokeno, Port Cask
Best Norwegian
Haavaldsen, Gneiss Serie
Best Taiwanese
Kavalan, Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

Global Finalists: Single Malt
Best Japanese
Yamazaki, Single Malt Whisky 18 Years Old
Best Scotch Highlands
Aberfeldy, 21 Years Old
Best Scotch Islay
Bowmore, 21 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask
Best Swedish
High Coast Whisky, Sherry Embers
Best Taiwanese
Kavalan, Distiller’s Reserve No.1 Single Malt Whisky

The World’s Best whiskies in categories that are country-specific, such as World’s Best Bourbon, have already been announced.