![World’s Best Whisk[e]Y According to the 2025 Global Whisky Challenge](https://winecountryinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Slide2-770x460.jpg)
Wine Country Network, Inc., publisher of Wine Country International® Magazine and producer of numerous highly respected professional beverage competitions, announced the 2025 Global Whisky Challenge winners. In complete transparency, our judging team runs the competition.
This year’s contest was judged double-blind by a team of twelve professional spirits judges with over 216 years’ experience evaluating whisk(e)y together. The judging sessions took place at Wine Country Network’s headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado.
The competition received over one hundred whiskies from the UK (Ireland and Scotland), Europe, India, and North America.
Seven products scored 95 points or above, receiving Double Gold Awards. The judges retasted the products and selected their favorite three, awarding them “Best of Show” awards.
These winners will receive stunning, custom-engraved crystal globe trophies.
2025 “Best of Show” Winners:
- 1st Place: Wolfburn Langskip Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 58% AbV, $59.95
- 2nd Place: ROCKER Spirits Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels, 46% AbV, $75
- 3rd Place: Ampersand Opimus, 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 9 months in Tokaji Casks, 58. %AbV, $149.95
1st Place: Wolfburn Langskip Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 58% AbV, $59.95
More in-depth information:
Wolfburn Langskip Single Malt Scotch Whisky, (96 pts) 58%, $59.95
Wolfburn is made at the most Northerly Distillery on the Scottish mainland. This unpeated Scotch is aged up to seven years in first-fill Bourbon barrels. Surprisingly well balanced at 58%AbV, with no heat or burn.
Judge’s notes:
Aromas: Low barley, low oak, vanilla, honey crisp apple, slight smoke
Taste: Salty, sweet, floral, fruity, caramel
Finish: Thick, rich, vanilla, very complex
Conclusion: I could drink this all day
Imported by Impex Beverages.
https://impexbev.com/wolfburn-distillery/
2nd Place: ROCKER Spirits Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels, (96 pts) 46%, $75
More in-depth information:
Handcrafted in Littleton, Colorado, just outside Denver.
A unique blend of 64% corn, 27% hard red wheat, and 9% malted rye. The base Bourbon was aged four years, then aged 6-12 months in port wine barrels.
Judge’s notes:
- Aromas: Chocolatey port wine, deep berry, charcoal dried fruit
- Taste: Sweet port, dried fruit, raisin, plum, dates, and licorice
- Finish: Complex, fun, well integrated, bourbon, long finish
- Conclusion: Extremely well integrated.
Rocker Spirits
https://www.rockerspirits.com/
3rd Place: Ampersand Opimus, 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 9 months in Tokaji Casks, (97 pts),58%, $149.95
Ampersand is a soon-to-be-released brand created at Minded Mill Distillery in Minden, Nevada, a short distance from South Lake Tahoe. It is a collection of small-batch whiskey expressions created by Master Distiller Chip Tate. Mr. Tate was the founder of Balcones Distilling and Tate + Company Distillery. He is now the Master Diller of Innovation for Foley Family Wine and Spirits, owner of Milden Mill Distillery.
Judge’s notes:
- Aromas: Complex honey, botrytis, corn, syrup, wine, and floral notes.
- Taste: Sweet wine, dates, Jamy molasses, maple
- Finish: Long and lovely, balanced and thick, creamy and floral
- Conclusion: This is a delightfully unique whiskey.
Minden Mill Distillery
https://www.mindenmill.com/
For the complete list of winners from the 2025 Global Whisky Challenge, visit www.globalwhiskychallenge.com
