World Whiskies Awards organizers revealed the big winners of the 2026 edition during an official ceremony held at Londres. The Scottish distillery secured the event’s top prize with the Bowmore 21 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask, chosen as the Melhor Single Malt of the Mundo. The Melhor Blended Whisky trophy went to Ballantine’s 23 Years Old. The surprise of the night occurred in the rye category, where the Siderit PX Cask Rye, manufactured by Espanha, surpassed traditional brands and took the title of Melhor Rye Whisky from Mundo.
This year’s competition evaluated more than nine thousand labels entered by producers from 52 different regions. The panel of experts conducted rigorous blind testing to determine the champions in each category. Marcas’s historic Escócia shared the spotlight with emerging country distilleries like Japão, Austrália and Espanha. The event organizers highlighted that the current results reflect a moment of high technical quality and innovation in the global distillates market.
Perfil sensory and production of Scottish champion Bowmore
Bowmore 21 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask is part of the exclusive collection of the distillery located on the island of Islay. The maturation process initially takes place in ex-bourbon American oak barrels and Oloroso European sherry casks. The final stage of aging takes place in first-use Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Essa complex technique gives unique characteristics to the drink. The alcohol content of the product reaches 46% ABV, sold in 750ml bottles.
The combination of different woods creates a precise balance between the region’s traditional medium peat and the fruity richness of Spanish barrels. The aroma of the drink delivers clear notes of vanilla, dry heather and beeswax. Especialistas also identified hints of syrup and sherry sweetness during the olfactory evaluation. The aromatic profile is completed with maritime touches, sea breeze, iodine and a light peat smoke.
The taste experience confirms the expectations generated by the complex aroma. The smoky characteristics mix with flavors of sweet raisins, dried fruits and rich spices. The Pedro Ximénez barrel finish adds deep layers of fig, date syrup and dark chocolate. The full-bodied texture has an almost oily sensation in the mouth. The long finish keeps the smoke lingering alongside sea salt and spice.
Ballantine’s 23 years secures trophy in the mixes category
Ballantine’s 23 Years Old represents a premium expansion of the brand’s classic blend, developed with a focus on the international travel market. The composition uses malts and grains aged for more than two decades. Glenburgie single malt acts as the central core of this award-winning blend. Todos components undergo an exclusive aging process in first-use American oak barrels. Essa technical choice enhances the notes of vanilla and fruit in the final result.
The sensorial evaluation of the blended whiskey revealed a striking aroma of poached pear and sweet orchard fruits. Vanilla cream appears alongside a light spice from American oak. Prolonged contact with oxygen releases aromas of buttery puff pastry and caramel. The palate accompanies this sweetness with ripe apple and buttery caramel. Cereais of boiled malt and licorice support the drink’s flavor base.
Prolonged aging introduces subtle notes of coconut and soft tannins into the structure of the liquid. The soft texture resembles satin, with a medium body and perfect integration of alcohol. The medium-length finish maintains the sweet character with the persistence of ripe fruits and aged oak. The product hits the market with an alcohol content of 40% ABV in standard 750ml bottles.
Expansão from the Spanish market with the Siderit PX Cask Rye
The victory of Siderit PX Cask Rye 2026 demonstrated the growing strength of Spanish production on the international spirits scene. Destilaria Siderit, located in the Cantábria region, developed a whiskey composed entirely of rye malt. Distillation takes place in the factory itself before the long maturation period. The liquid rests for approximately 86 months in Spanish white oak barrels. Estes casks receive prior aromatization with Pedro Ximénez sherry from Bodegas Lustau.
The aromatic profile of Spanish rye exhibits a notable sherry intensity with sweet raisins and dried figs. Frutas of ripe seeds, honey and molasses complete the first olfactory layer. Aged oak and rye spices appear in the background. The velvety flavor balances dried apricots, baked apples and toasted wood. The direct influence of the barrel brings layers of sweet grape juice and nuts.
The rye grain adds hints of clove, pepper and mild herbs that break up the excessive sweetness. The luxurious viscosity provides a silky texture during tasting. The persistent finish extends the notes of residual sweet wine, honey and the characteristic dry touch of rye. The 700ml bottle boasts a robust alcohol content of 46.8% ABV. Winning this award puts Cantábria on the global map of major whiskey producers.
Diversidade global and new highlights from the 2026 edition
The 2026 World Whiskies Awards ceremony highlighted an unprecedented internationalization in the premium beverage sector. Produtores from regions outside the traditional axis gained space and recognition from the judges. The competition evaluated strict criteria of quality, character and faithful representation of the proposed style. The final results point to a consumer market increasingly open to experimentation and new geographic origins.
- Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Blended Japanese Whisky 2026 won the Melhor Blended Limited Release award.
- The JP Wiser’s 27 Years Old Mizunara Oak label achieved maximum recognition in the Canadian blended category.
- The Ohtani Whisky Niigata Kameda New Pot Peated 2026 Edition was among the main highlights of the new style.
The strategic use of sherry casks dominated the profiles of this season’s big winners. Finishing in wood that previously housed fortified wines adds complexity and sweetness to the distillates. Bowmore and Siderit used Pedro Ximénez to balance intense elements like peat and rye. Ballantine’s followed a different path by prioritizing American oak to deliver a more accessible and fruity profile.
The most recent distilleries have proven to have the technical capacity to compete directly with established, century-old brands. Expressões limited editions gained visibility on global shelves. The current market offers varied options that cater to those who appreciate peated profiles to consumers looking for smooth blends. The 2026 edition consolidates new standards of excellence and expands the frontiers of global whiskey production.