The country and world’s best winners have been announced for the 2025 World Whiskies and Icons of Whisky Awards, at the Whisky Magazine Awards Gala Dinner in London on 26 March. From big name distillers to smaller, independent producers, the competition aims to spotlight the prestige and diversity of the global whisky market.
Awards director, Anita Ujszaszi, said it was a phenomenal year for the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky.
“We’ve seen a truly innovative and unique range of products throughout this competition, and it’s been a pleasure to talk to all the passionate individuals behind each creation as well as our wonderful judging panel,” said Ujszaszi.
“We see strong candidates every year in all the awards categories and this year was no exception. Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to all those who entered. It’s your determination and hard work that makes this industry so great!”
Australia had over 100 awarded entries in 2025, receiving 30 Gold, 39 Silver and 32 Bronze titles across 30 distilleries. Tasmania was the state leading the charge, with Hellyers Road, Sullivans Cove, and Callington Mill Distilleries receiving the most awards.
Hellyers Road Distillery CEO, Derek Charge, said the wild, rugged, and pristine landscapes of North West Tasmania were one of the reasons the company produces such high quality aged whiskey.
“This uniquely pure and temperate environment provides a unique maturation environment, even within Tasmania. The result is clear – Hellyers Road has consistently won top awards for its whiskies,” said Charge.
“Winning Best Australian Single Malt Whisky with Hellyers Road 21 Year Old Peated Cask Finish 20F05c01 is an incredible achievement. This award reaffirms the dedication and passion that goes into every bottle we produce. It’s an honour to see our exceptional whiskies recognised on the world stage once again.”
Source: Whipper Snapper Distillery
Perth-based Whipper Snapper Distillery was not to be shown up by the Tasmanian winners, coming out on top for three Australian categories – Best Corn, Rye, and Wheat whiskey.
The company said it was beyond proud to take the top spot for Australian Whiskey.
“This recognition proves we can stand tall against Australian and international whiskey giants. We extend our congratulations to all other winners and look forward to seeing what else 2025 brings for the industry,” Whipper Snapper said in a statement.
The full list of Australian category winners includes:
- Best Australian Blended: 36 South Double Grain
- Best Australian Blended Limited Release: Transportation and Killara Descendants Return
- Best Australian Blended Malt: Lark Symphony No 1
- Best Australian Corn: Whipper Snapper Upshot
- Best Australian New Make & Young Spirit: Nullaki Single Malt - Young Spirit
- Best Australian Pot Still: Transportation Whiskey Coffin Ship Cask Strength
- Best Australian Rye: Whipper Snapper Rye
- Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt: Sullivans Cove Old & Rare American Oak Second Fill 18 Years Old (TD0033)
- Best Australian Single Malt: Hellyers Road Peat Cask Finish 21 Years Old 20F05C01
- Best Australian Small Batch Single Malt: Hobart Whisky Winter Feast 2024 Limited Release
- Best Australian Wheat: Whipper Snapper Wheat
Tasmanian-based Sullivans Cove received commendation for both its whisky in the World Whiskies Awards, and its distilling and business teams in the RoW Icons of Whisky presentation.
The distillery, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 and recently unveiled its refurbished venue, won the Campaign Innovator, Visitor Attraction Team, Sales Team, and Marketing Team categories. Distillery manager and master distiller, Heather Tillott, was highly commended in both the Master Distiller/Master Blender and Distillery Manager categories, Ash Pryor was highly commended for the Visitor Attraction Manager category, and Ally Bhana was highly commended for the Brand Ambassador – World Whisky category.
“I could not be prouder of our team and their consistently considered approach to each and every cask,” said Tillott.
“A second fill cask winning the top single cask single malt in Australia is a significant moment for Australian whisky, and signals the dawn of a new chapter in the maturity of the modern Australian whisky industry.”
