Kavalan Distillery has once again claimed the top honor at the International Whisky Competition, earning the Whisky of the Year award for the second consecutive year. The 2026 competition, held at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, awarded the Golden Barrel Trophy to Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, reinforcing the distillery's reputation for excellence and innovation.
This repeat victory follows Kavalan's 2025 win, when the Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky achieved a score of 97.04 points. The back-to-back wins place Kavalan among an elite group of distilleries that have achieved this rare feat at one of the industry's most demanding blind tasting competitions.
"Kavalan has accomplished a rare feat by winning Whisky of the Year two years in a row at one of the industry's most demanding blind tasting competitions," said Max A. Solano, Competition Director of the International Whisky Competition. "The Kavalan Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask distinguished itself with exceptional depth, balance, and complexity."
Tasting notes provided by Octavio "Tavo" Bernal, Master of Scotch, Council of Whiskey Masters, describe the winning whisky as having "the nose opens with oily leather, an earthy tea blend, and a hint of anise, followed by grilled mango, light ash, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, chocolate-covered raisins, chewy figs, and a delicate smoky barbecue tang come forward. The finish lingers with dark leather, juicy cassis, and lightly roasted cocoa nibs."
Crafted in Yilan County, Taiwan, Kavalan continues to push the boundaries of whisky-making through innovative production, unique climate conditions, and meticulous cask selection. The distillery's success highlights the growing recognition of Asian whiskies on the global stage.
The International Whisky Competition, which has been operating since its restructuring in 2015, is known for its strict double-blind judging process. Each entry is evaluated without any information about origin, category, or alcohol by volume, ensuring impartiality. The judging panel includes Masters from the Council of Whiskey Masters, industry veterans, and professional tasters. Following an Olympic-style format, the competition awards only three medals per category—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—making each accolade highly sought after.
Complete results can be found at www.whiskycompetition.com/results. For additional details about the competition, visit www.whiskycompetition.com.
