The results of the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) have revealed a spirits sector defined by both its heritage and innovation, with nearly 3500 medals awarded across more than 90 countries.
The IWSC has highlighted that the results show a balance, within the overall spirits sector, of long-established categories maintaining their prestige and emerging ones achieving new levels of quality and recognition.
Some of the key points that the IWSC highlighted from this year’s results include:
Gin retains global dominance
Gin once again proved to be the largest and most hotly contested category, earning more than 440 medals across contemporary and classic styles. Flavoured gin continued its strong upward trend, securing 66 medals and significantly improving on previous years. IWSC Spirits Judging Committee member Olivier Ward noted the increasing sophistication within the category, pointing to greater clarity of intent and craftsmanship among producers.
The scale of entries underlines gin’s enduring popularity among consumers and its competitive nature for producers, with any medal representing a significant achievement.
Scotch whisky reinforces its prestige
Scotch whisky continued to demonstrate its global authority, with unpeated single malt again emerging as the largest whisky style, earning 197 medals. Cask-finished Scotch collected 72 medals and blended Scotch 68, while peated single malt impressed with a 25 per cent Gold or Gold Outstanding rate, which the IWSC said was one of the highest success ratios across all categories.
Islay producers were particularly strong performers, earning 21 Gold or Gold Outstanding medals, reinforcing the importance of regional character in driving quality perception and consumer appeal.
Quality breakthroughs beyond the mainstream
Beyond the traditional leaders, several categories recorded standout performances. Artisanal Mezcal delivered a remarkable 41 per cent Gold or Gold Outstanding success rate, underscoring its growing reputation as one of the most dynamic spirits globally.
Vodka also made significant gains, with wheat- and mixed-base expressions achieving 29 per cent and 40 per cent Gold or Gold Outstanding conversion rates respectively. Spirits Judging Committee member David T. Smith said producers are increasingly embracing the distinctive characteristics of their base materials, from barley’s spiciness to potato’s rich, earthy tones.
Bourbon continued to build momentum, with 53 medals awarded and one in four entries achieving Gold or above, confirming the strength of the American whiskey segment and its growing international influence.
Emerging categories step into the spotlight
Smaller and emerging categories also made their mark in 2025. Liqueurs delivered strong results, led by citrus and orchard fruit styles, while shochu continued its steady rise in global recognition. Judging Committee member Marie Cheong-Thong said the spirit deserves greater international attention as a premium, world-class product.
Column still rums also saw increased entries, reflecting renewed consumer and producer interest in a once-overlooked style. The IWSC said these results highlight how experimentation and innovation are thriving beyond the core categories.
Global reach expands
While Scotland again led by volume with 649 awards, quality leadership was more widely distributed in 2025. Spain (24 per cent Gold or Gold Outstanding), Mexico (23 per cent), Italy (20 per cent) and Japan (19 per cent) all achieved standout performances.
Mexico’s artisanal Mezcal producers were particularly successful, while Taiwan entered the Top 10 spirits-producing nations for the first time, underlining the increasingly global nature of excellence in spirits production.
Heritage meets innovation
The judging results revealed producers continuing to balance traditional strengths with contemporary creativity. Non-Scotch single malts earned 124 medals, confirming the rise of global whisky beyond Scotland. Scotch age statements from 10 to 15 years performed strongly, while unaged and no age statement entries dominated in volume through gin, vodka, Mezcal and liqueurs.
A confident outlook
The IWSC said its 2025 results reflect a spirits industry in robust health and is one that celebrates its established icons while embracing innovation across all corners of the globe. With excellence recognised across both traditional and emerging styles, the judging highlights an industry that continues to evolve with confidence and creativity.
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