IWSC Spirits Judging in China: 2025 Trophy Winners

Announcing the 2025 Chinese Trophy Recipients

The IWSC is delighted to announce the two Trophy winners from this year’s in situ Spirits Judging in China: the Baijiu Producer Trophy and the Chinese Spirits Producer Trophy. These awards recognise exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and innovation across China’s dynamic spirits industry.

Baijiu Trophy: Jinhui Liquor Co Ltd （金徽酒股份有限公司)

This year’s Baijiu Producer Trophy has been awarded to Jinhui Liquor Co Ltd, which achieved four medals in total: one Gold, two Silver, and one Bronze, with an impressive average score of 90.25.

Jinhui Liquor is a historic and respected Baijiu producer rooted in the terroir of Hui County in Gansu Province. With a heritage spanning centuries, the distillery is celebrated for its strong-aroma (nongxiang) style of Baijiu. Jinhui continues to use traditional fermentation techniques in ancient mud-cellar pits and benefits from the unique local microclimate to produce spirits of remarkable depth and character.

Renowned within China, Jinhui is recognised for its smooth, complex flavour profile and its commitment to preserving the country’s Baijiu-making heritage. It is now one of China’s nineteen publicly listed Baijiu enterprises.

IWSC co-spirits judging committee member and Baijiu expert Yuchen Zhong praised the producer, noting:

“Jinhui Liquor is a great producer that represents a unique strong-aroma style from Gansu Province. They have earned their place as the best-performing Baijiu distillery this year.”

Chinese Spirits Producer Trophy: Laizhou Distillery （崃州蒸馏厂）

The Chinese Spirits Producer Trophy has been awarded to Laizhou Distillery, which achieved outstanding results across several categories. The distillery received the only Gold Outstanding medal not awarded to a Baijiu producer, for its Laizhou Bourbon Cask (Peated Version) Single Malt Whisky（崃州波本桶（泥煤版）单一麦芽威士忌）. In addition, Laizhou collected six further medals: two Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze, achieving a strong average score of 92.86.

Located in Qionglai City, Sichuan Province, historically the first stop of the Silk Road west of Chengdu and an important town on the ancient Tea Horse Road, Laizhou Distillery is a bold and ambitious force in China’s spirits landscape. The distillery focuses on premium single malt whiskey production, following a grain-to-glass philosophy and investing heavily in innovation.

Laizhou experiments with diverse barley strains, yeast types, and cask finishes, including those using Huangjiu (yellow rice wine) and Inner Mongolian oak casks. Combining modern technology with respect for traditional methods, the distillery aims to showcase Chinese whiskey on the global stage, offering complex expressions that reflect both terroir and craftsmanship.

Speaking about the Laizhou Bourbon Cask (Peated Version) Single Malt, IWSC judge Guy Hodcroft commented:

“For me, it was a complete package. It showed beautiful distillery character and excellent use of oak: balanced, refined, and never overdone. The character was harmonious throughout, which is exactly what you look for in a great whisky.”

Fellow judge Billy Abbott added:

“It’s great when you find these whiskies, that bend expectations, but do it by sheer quality and craftsmanship.”

To read the full results from our 2025 Spirits Judging in China, please visit our website.

For more insights from our judges on the quality and potential of Chinese spirits, explore our latest blog on the judges’ deliberations.