From South Korea to France: The 7 Worldwide Whiskeys That Stunned the Judges

Each year, just a small handful of spirits manage to cross the threshold from technical excellence to true drinks brilliance These are the whiskies that stop the judges in their tracks, bottles that prompt discussion, delight, and ultimately, unanimous agreement that they deserve the very highest honour: a Gold Outstanding medal.

As IWSC Spirits Judging Committee member Dawn Davies MW puts it, “Gold Outstanding is ‘I want to drink the whole bottle. I want to go back and buy 10 more.’ It is just an absolutely delicious whiskey. It couldn't do any more. It has balance, it has intensity, it has length and it has complexity… that real sign of quality.”

This year, just seven worldwide whiskeys earned this distinction, and their diversity tells a rich story of the category’s evolving landscape.

A Breakthrough Moment for South Korea

One of the standout moments of the judging, according to Davies, came from an unexpected source. “My best moment from my day today was when we gave South Korea a Gold Outstanding. That’s a country that has only been producing whiskey for a very, very short period of time,” she said. “It’s so new, amd to really do so well is great to see.”

That accolade went to Ki One Whisky Distillery's Unicorn Korean Single Malt, a release that impressed the judges with its 'elegant swirl of aromatic peat, intertwined with earthy, savoury notes and a hint of meaty richness', a true milestone for the nation’s emerging distilling scene.

France: A Continental Force

France’s ascent in the whiskey world has been steady and assured, and in 2025, it reached a new peak with two Gold Outstanding medals. Among them, Golden Promise Single Malt Whisky from Le Breuil stood out for its layered malt profile and finesse, while Kornog Sauternes Bourbon Cask Reserve Single Malt Whisky from the Celtic Whisky Distillerie blew the judges away with it's luxurious perfumed ntes of liquorice root and orris. 

While France has long been admired for its distilling culture, these results underscore its legitimacy in the premium whiskey space, a continent not only catching up, but confidently leading in places.

Taiwan Reclaims Its Spotlight

After what Davies described as “a little dip in Taiwanese whiskies for a while,” Taiwan has roared back into the spotlight. Kavalan's Solist Pedro Ximenez Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt reminded judges why the distillery became such a global benchmark, rich, dark, and exquisitely long on the palate.

“It was back there, up there again,” Davies said, reinforcing Taiwan’s return to form in a competitive field.

The Enduring Strength of the UK, USA and Ireland

Three established whiskey nations delivered standout entries in this year’s Gold Outstanding line-up. From the US, W. L. Weller 12 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey showcased the richness and poise of classic wheated bourbon, impressing judges with its velvety maturity and long, sweet finish.

Redbreast 18 YO Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers, demonstrated the hallmark depth and structure that has made Ireland’s pot still style a global benchmark — a whiskey both refined and powerful.

Meanwhile, the UK maintained its presence with a Gold Outstanding for Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon (produced in the UK for the European market), underlining its versatility and growing strength as a bottling hub. As Davies noted, “I was surprised by how few Golds we got in England, because I know the quality is there.” Still, the whiskeys that did rise to the top were undeniably deserving.


The Promise of Worldwide Whiskey

Reflecting on the judging as a whole, Davies noted the incredible variety in style, origin, and innovation: “That is what is so amazing about the world whiskey category, you have such diversity. And each year it changes.”

While last year saw a standout performance from Nordic producers, 2025 brought new momentum from Asia, including impressive showings from New Zealand and Australia. “As a category, worldwide whiskey shows so much promise,” Davies said. “I think everyone has a voice.”

This year’s Gold Outstanding winners are proof of that, and a signal that the future of whiskey will be more diverse, more exciting, and more delicious than ever before. See all 7 Gold Outstanding medal-winners below.