Raising the Bar: Why Silver Medal Worldwide Whiskeys Deserve Your Attention

Silver medals are awarded to spirits that score between 90 and 94 out of 100. This elite bracket recognises whiskies with excellent technical execution, expressive aromas, and a strong sense of identity. For whiskey lovers and trade professionals alike, Silver is more than a secondary prize. It’s often where the most interesting stories unfold.

Why Silver Matters

A Silver medal represents more than consistency. It represents promise. These are whiskies that captured the judges’ attention with their individuality, showing layers of flavour, clarity of style, and real craftsmanship. They may not have the sheer polish or depth of a Gold medal winner, but they’re often some of the most exciting spirits to discover.

As judge Matias Luciani observed, “We live in a world of refinement, not invention. With the market down, this is the time to strengthen the foundations of spirits.” Silver-winning whiskies reflect this ethos, offering classic styles executed with real finesse and maturity.

For the curious drinker, Silver is a space to explore value and diversity. Whether it’s a bold new cask finish, a traditional style with a modern twist, or a regional expression flying under the radar, Silver winners often offer a gateway to something unexpected and exceptional.

Judges’ Insights: Precision, Personality, and Potential

Judges at the IWSC praised 2025’s Silver entries for their stylistic clarity and composure. These were whiskies that impressed with their balance of intensity and finesse.

“Bold, memorable, delicious and showing great variety,” said IWSC judge and distller Allan Anderson, capturing the breadth of what judges encountered across the global entries.

Irish and Japanese whiskeys were especially strong in this year’s results. “Some of the ultra-aged Irish single malts showed a broad spectrum of flavours and were particularly intriguing,” noted one of the judges, “They are a credit to the rapid evolution of Irish single malt and the increasing quality of Irish whiskey.”

Several younger entries from Great Britain also stood out. “A few of the GB single malts were particularly good,” said James Phillips. “They showed great concentration, balance and drinkability for their presumably young age.”

These observations speak to what a Silver medal often reflects, precision, personality, and potential.

A Medal Worth Discovering

For buyers, bartenders, and collectors, IWSC Silver winners are well worth seeking out. They’re often more accessible than Golds but still carry the weight of expert endorsement and craft. For producers, a Silver medal can affirm a bold new direction or highlight the strength of a house style.

In short, Silver isn’t second best. It’s a signal of quality, character, and distinction. Ideal for those looking to discover something that stands above the rest. Discover the highest scoring silver medal-winners below and head to our results page to see every single silver medal-winner in the world whiskey category at the IWSC.