Yearly, the World Whiskies Awards crown one of the best of one of the best from throughout the globe, shining a highlight on the craft, character, and innovation that outline in the present day’s most interesting spirits. Whereas dozens of single malts took high honors of their respective classes, some names rose above the remainder, both via the power of their reputations or the standout nature of their newest releases.
On this article, we’re taking a better have a look at a collection of the ‘Greatest Single Malts’ from throughout the globe that triumphed within the 2025 competitors. From a Speyside icon incomes world recognition, to a rising English malt crafted in an previous wire manufacturing facility, it is a rundown for whiskey lovers who wish to perceive not simply what received, however why.
Let’s stroll via a few of the finest single malts on the earth, how they have been made, the distilleries behind them, and the awards they introduced dwelling.
The GlenAllachie 12 12 months Previous – Greatest Scotch Speyside Single Malt & World’s Greatest Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “A nostril of wealthy sultanas, flapjacks, and milk chocolate, alongside acetone notes. On the palate, dried apple, gourmand chutney, orange zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon emerge, complemented by vanilla custard. The end is medium-long, oily, and barely heat, making for a really fulfilling dram.”
BUY NOW: $56
The GlenAllachie 12 12 months Previous is an unpeated Speyside single malt constructed from 100% Scottish barley and fermented for an unusually lengthy 160 hours to construct complexity. It’s matured in a mixture of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, with smaller parts from purple wine barriques and virgin oak. Grasp Distiller Billy Walker personally oversees cask choice and re-racking to keep up the distillery’s signature honeyed, fruit-forward fashion.
Based in 1967, GlenAllachie spent many years supplying blends earlier than Walker remodeled it right into a single malt powerhouse after taking on in 2017. The 12 12 months Previous, launched because the model’s flagship in 2018, displays that shift.
In 2025, it was named World’s Greatest Single Malt and Greatest scotch Speyside Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt – Greatest American Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “Tart fruit on the nostril with a slight brine. A spicy palate with hints of rye. An extended end.”
BUY NOW: $80
Balcones Texas 1 is a daring, full-bodied single malt constructed from 100% Golden Promise barley and distilled in Waco, Texas. Fermented with a mixture of ale and distiller’s yeast, and double-distilled in customized copper pot stills, the whisky is then matured in new American oak barrels—an uncommon selection for single malt, however one which fits the extraordinary Texas local weather. The result’s wealthy, malty, and unmistakably Texan.
Balcones was based in 2008 and helped pioneer the American single malt class. Identified for its hands-on, experimental method, the distillery shortly earned a fame for pushing boundaries whereas honoring custom.
In 2025, Texas 1 took dwelling the title of Greatest American Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
Teeling Notre Dame Version Rivesaltes 24 12 months Previous – Greatest Irish Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “Honey, pear, and blossom, with mild spice.”
BUY NOW: $499.99
This limited-edition single malt from Teeling was distilled within the late Nineteen Nineties, triple-distilled, and aged for 21 years in ex-bourbon casks earlier than a ultimate 3-year end in Rivesaltes wine barrels from France. The result’s a posh, fruit-driven whiskey with depth constructed over almost 1 / 4 of a century. It was bottled at 46% ABV, with no chill filtration or added coloration. Just one,000 bottles have been produced.
Teeling Whiskey Firm was based in 2012, reviving a household legacy courting again to 1782. Although their Dublin distillery opened in 2015, this expression comes from older shares, doubtless laid down at Cooley when the Teelings ran it.
In 2025, the Notre Dame Version Rivesaltes 24 12 months Previous was named Greatest Irish Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
Glen Breton Uncommon 21 12 months Previous – Greatest Canadian Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “Initially a gentle citrus, with a really mild floral contact. Vanilla, leather-based, apple, hay, and a light-weight, spicy end.”
BUY NOW: $305.99
Glen Breton Uncommon 21 is a Canadian single malt constructed from 100% malted barley and double-distilled in copper pot stills at Glenora Distillery in Nova Scotia. Aged for 21 years in ex-bourbon barrels, it develops a clean, mellow character formed by the area’s seasonal temperature swings and maritime local weather. It’s bottled at 43% ABV with no added coloration.
Glenora Distillery, based in 1989, is North America’s first single malt distillery. Constructed with steering from scotch whisky consultants, it helped set up Canadian single malt as a reputable class.
In 2025, Glen Breton Uncommon 21 was awarded Greatest Canadian Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
Wire Works Madeira End – Greatest English Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “Aromatic and fragrant peat smoke, zesty tangerines, wine gums, and loads of spices, with an intense and eventful palate. Clear and vigorous.”
BUY NOW: $101
Made by White Peak Distillery in Derbyshire, Wire Works Madeira End is a calmly peated English single malt aged first in ex-bourbon barrels, then completed in first-fill Madeira wine casks. Distilled from 100% malted barley and fermented with a mixture of distiller’s and brewer’s yeast, it’s bottled at 53.6% ABV with pure coloration and no chill filtration.
White Peak was based in 2016 in a former wire manufacturing facility on the banks of the River Derwent. Identified for its small-batch focus and use of native elements, it has shortly change into a frontrunner in English whisky.
In 2025, Wire Works Madeira End was named Greatest English Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
Mars 2024 Tsunuki – Greatest Japanese Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “Dried leafy nuance and a broth-like flavour. A wealthy, well-balanced palate of caramel, smoke, persimmon, stewed fruit, hardwood.”
BUY NOW: $120
The Tsunuki 2024 Version is a no-age-statement Japanese single malt distilled at Mars’s Tsunuki Distillery in southern Japan. Created from 100% malted barley and double-distilled in copper pot stills, it’s matured in a mixture of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. Bottled at 50% ABV, it’s non-chill-filtered and naturally coloured.
Tsunuki is the second malt distillery from Hombo Shuzo, a historic Japanese producer. Opened in 2016, it contrasts with the corporate’s alpine Shinshu website by providing a hotter, southern local weather that accelerates maturation and deepens taste.
In 2025, the Tsunuki 2024 Version was named Greatest Japanese Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
Amrut Peated Single Malt Cask Power – Greatest Indian Single Malt
Tasting Notes: “So much to supply, from candy to zesty fruit, vanilla and different confectionery, and a few peat notes. Earthy and crisp goes effectively collectively right here.”
BUY NOW: $96
Distilled in Bangalore utilizing Scottish peated barley, Amrut’s Peated Cask Power is a daring Indian single malt aged in ex-bourbon barrels. The high-altitude tropical local weather accelerates maturation, packing intense taste into only a few years. It’s bottled at round 62.8% ABV, with no chill filtration or added coloration.
Amrut, based in 1948, was the primary distillery to launch Indian single malt globally. Identified for pushing boundaries, it helped put India on the whisky map with releases like Fusion and its acclaimed cask power vary.
In 2025, this peated expression was awarded Greatest Indian Single Malt on the World Whiskies Awards.
