The winners in the World Whiskies Awards 2026 and Icons of Whisky 2026 have been announced at a ceremony in London, with Australian honourees including Sullivans Cove and Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co.

The 2026 competition has seen World’s Best titles conferred on both well-established brands from countries with long histories with the spirit, such as Bowmore and Ballantine’s of Scotland, as well as younger distilleries from the new frontiers of production, including Australia, Belgium, and China.

Sullivans Cove won for its French Oak White Wine Old & Rare TD0112, while Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co was awarded for its Rye Cask 027.

“To be recognised again at a global level speaks less to any single whisky, and more to the philosophy that underpins everything we do,” said Sullivans Cove CEO Andy Gaunt.

“We have never set out to follow established pathways. Instead, we focus on understanding our own conditions and building a framework that allows each cask to reach its full potential. This is about contributing to the evolution of global whisky – demonstrating that new benchmarks can be set from outside traditional centres of production.”

“An 18-year-old whisky matured in French oak ex-white wine is exceptionally rare in Australia, and it is not a style that can be approached passively,” said Director of Whisky Creation Heather Tillott.

“These casks demand resilience from the spirit and precise, considered management over many years. Every stage of its maturation has been closely observed and carefully guided. To see that tension resolve so completely at this age is deeply rewarding.”

Tasmanian Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs Guy Barnett said: “Sullivans Cove delivered a remarkable performance, taking out the title of World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt along with securing two Icons of Whisky awards – reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading distilleries.

“In further success for the state, Greenbanks was also recognised on the global stage, winning for its single rye whisky.

“These results highlight the strength, quality and growing international recognition of Tasmania’s whisky industry. The success comes as Tasmania continues to build and promote its premium food and beverage sector, with whisky playing an increasingly important role in export growth, tourism and regional development.”

Awards Director Anita Ujszaszi said: “The announcement of the World’s Best winners is a special moment every year, as these winners represent the absolute pinnacle of whisky craftsmanship. The winners this year represent not just quality, but the diversity, innovation, and heritage that make up the whisky world today. The same can be said for our lauded Icons of Whisky, whose work in shaping the modern face of the whisky industry is truly exciting.”

Chair of Judges and editor of Whisky Magazine Bradley Weir said: “Looking at this year’s list of winners, it’s apparent how lucky we are to have so many incredible brands working at the top of their game right now. What has been most exciting about this year is how truly global the World’s Best have been. We have winners from Australia, Japan, US, Scotland, Spain and many more, emphasising the strength of whisky production worldwide.

“It’s been an honour to taste and judge these whiskies across the different rounds over the past few months, and none of this would have been possible without the talents of the entire international judging pool. Their expertise, consideration, and care have led us to this exciting moment, and I think we can all be proud of those determined World’s Best. Congratulations all!”

World’s best whiskies for 2026

DESIGN: Lark Range

NEW MAKE & YOUNG SPIRIT Ohtani Whisky Niigata Kameda NewPot Peated 2026 Edition

WORLD’S BEST BLENDED: Ballantine’s 23 Years Old

BLENDED LIMITED RELEASE: Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Blended Japanese Whisky 2026

BLENDED MALT: Kwun Cheung Blended Malt Whisky Aged in Changbai Mountains Mongolian Oak

CANADIAN BLENDED: JP Wiser’s 27 Years Old Mizunara Oak

CORN: Black Jack Whiskey Classic

FLAVOURED WHISKY: Woven WXC

GRAIN: Fercullen 15

SINGLE CASK SINGLE GRAIN: Waterloo The Duke Rum Cask

RYE: Siderit 2026 Whisky PX Cask Rye

SINGLE CASK SINGLE RYE: Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co Rye Cask 027

POT STILL: Spots Whiskey Red Spot

SINGLE CASK SINGLE MALT: Sullivans Cove French Oak White Wine Old & Rare TD0112

SMALL BATCH SINGLE MALT: The English Small Batch Sherry Hogshead

SINGLE MALT: Bowmore 21 Years Old Sherry Cask

WHEAT: Star Hill Farm Whisky Wheat Whisky

Icons of Whisky 2026

Also at the London ceremony, the global winners in the Icons of Whisky 2026 were named. The Icons of Whisky recognise the people and places whose work is the foundation of the whisky industry. Global winners are selected following region-specific rounds, which saw Icons named for Scotland, Ireland, the US, China, and Rest of World.

Sullivans Cove also triumphed in the Icons of Whisky category, with Marcelo Viapiana winning in the Warehouse Manager category and Heather Tillott winning in the Innovation Manager category.

To view the full list of winners, Hall of Fame inductees and medalists, click here.