Talk:International Whisky Competition
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[edit]I have adjusted the image size and moved the image as it was in the middle of the sections list (see revision comparison), this was causing issues with the article structure and the readability of text in those sections I fix it as per WP:MOS.ChefBear01 (talk) 22:46, 7 April 2024 (UTC)
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I am proposing updates to this page based on a paid request by a representative of the company. I am a freelance editor, with no other connection. The purpose is to create a more complete entry, and to update it with corrected, recent information and sources. To this end I propose that the following text replace the existing page. I welcome your comments and suggestions:
Version 2: I have taken the comments below on board, focused on the best sources, and toned down the language significantly. I have also shortened and consolidated the sections dealing with the judging process. I hope these changes address the concerns. Viljowf (talk) 10:23, 7 August 2025 (UTC)
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| International Whisky Competition | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Spirits competition |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Varies (e.g., Las Vegas, Estes Park, Bardstown, Raasay) |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Sylvain Allard and Michael Petrucci |
| Participants | Global whisky producers |
| Website | whiskycompetition.com |
The International Whisky Competition (IWC) is an annual spirits competition that evaluates and ranks whiskies from around the world through a blind tasting process. The event is known for its rigorous scoring methodology and Olympic-style awards format.[1]
History
[edit]The International Whisky Competition was established in 2010 to provide a structured judging environment for whisky producers worldwide.[2] Initially based in Chicago,[3] the competition later became a traveling event. It has been hosted in various U.S. and international locations, including Las Vegas (2017-2019), Estes Park, Colorado (2020-2022); Bardstown, Kentucky (2023); the Isle of Raasay, Scotland (2024), and Louisville, Kentucky (2024 and 2025).[4]
Scope and participation
[edit]The competition judges a range of whisky styles, including single malt, blended whisky, bourbon, and cask-strength expressions.Award-winning entries have come from countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, and India,[5] with producers from, among others, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Scotland also participating.[6][7][1][8]
Judging and tasting process
[edit]The IWC's panel of judges evaluate whiskies using a double-blind tasting format. Judges do not know the brand, country of origin, whisky style, or alcohol content of the samples they evaluate.[1]
Each whisky is assessed individually—not in direct comparison to others as is the case in other competitions—and scored across four weighted categories: appearance, aroma, taste/mouth-feel, and finish.[9] Judges have up to eight minutes to evaluate each sample. Each whisky is then scored using a 100-point system based on 15 criteria, and gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the top entries in each category.[4] This system was developed by Sébastien Gavillet and was implemented in 2015.[1] Judges have included Stephen Beal and Francesco Lafranconi.[9][10]
Awards
[edit]The International Whisky Competition presents a range of honors each year. The "Whisky of the Year" award recognizes the highest-scoring whisky across all categories.[1] Other awards include "Distillery of the Year" and "Master Distiller of the Year".[1]
In addition, the IWC presents Best in Class awards for specific categories such as Best Bourbon, Best Rye, Best Single Malt, and Best Blended Scotch.[1] The competition follows an Olympic-style medal system, awarding only one Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze medal per category.[1] This limited-medal approach is a defining characteristic of the IWC’s judging format.[9][1]
Annual Whisky of the Year Winners
[edit]| Year | Whisky of the Year | Score | Distillery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask | 97.04 | Kavalan Distillery |
| 2024 | Aultmore Oloroso Sherry Cask Travel Retail 25 Year Old | 98.31 | Bacardi (Aultmore) |
| 2023 | Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Mortlach 1989 31 Year Old | 97.1 | Gordon & MacPhail |
| 2022 | Aberlour A'bunadh Batch 70 | 95.8 | Aberlour Distillery |
| 2021 | Ardbeg Uigeadail | 95.9 | Ardbeg Distillery |
| 2020 | Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old | 96.4 | Dewar’s |
| 2019 | Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 | 97 | Glenmorangie |
| 2018 | Aberlour A'bunadh | 97.4 | Aberlour Distillery |
| 2017 | Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release | 97.3 | Ardbeg Distillery |
| 2016 | Glenmorangie Signet | 97 | Glenmorangie |
| 2015 | John Walker & Sons King George V | 97 | Johnnie Walker (Diageo) |
See also
[edit]- San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- International Wine and Spirit Competition
- Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- Spirits competition
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "This Single Malt Is the Best Whisky of the Year, According to the 2025 International Whisky Competition". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
- ^ Squires, Beth (2025-07-20). "World's Best Bourbons From The International Whisky Competition 2025". The Whiskey Wash. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ Aehweb; Whiskies, Planet. "The 2010 IWC Announces the Official Results". Planet Whiskies. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ a b "The Best Bourbon in America Isn't From Kentucky — and It's Only $100". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ Pereira, Aaron. "We tried Timah, the Malaysian award-winning whisky, and here's what we think". www.lifestyleasia.com. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ "How India's single malt whiskies are challenging global giants". South China Morning Post. 2024-11-04. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ Ray, Sanjana (2025-07-15). "This Indian whisky, which costs Rs 3,000, bagged 1st place at the International Whisky Competition 2025; Can you guess which one it is?". GQ India. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ "International Whisky Competition 2025: DeVANS' GianChand Adambaraa wins best Indian Single Malt - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 2025-07-18. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ a b c "This Dewar's Scotch Is the World's Best Whisky, According To 2020 International Whisky Competition - Maxim". www.maxim.com. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ "IWC tasting panel". International Whisky Competition. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
External links
[edit]Updated as requested belowViljowf (talk) 13:00, 4 August 2025 (UTC)
- Please remove WP:FORBESCON, WP:BI, WP:NEWSORGINDIA, blogs, and resubmit your proposed edits. Avoid WP:LLM please or at least rewrite the output. AI use is so obvious. Gheus (talk) 22:43, 2 August 2025 (UTC)
- I declined this. The edit as a whole feels very promotional with puffery and harping on the qualifications of the judges and judging process. Mentioning that judges (such as Francesco Lafranconi) are "notable". Perhaps he is, perhaps he's not. But including it feels promotional to me. Avgeekamfot (talk) 16:03, 4 August 2025 (UTC)