The final results of the World Whiskies Awards 2026 have now been revealed, confirming the whiskies that have claimed the title of Best Single Malt in their respective countries and regions. Following the earlier regional heats, these winners represent the top performers from each domestic category, having been judged against their local peers before advancing through the competition.
The list spans the full breadth of modern single malt production, from traditional Scotch regions such as Islay, Speyside, and Campbeltown, to emerging whisky nations including England, India, and Thailand. Leading names such as Bowmore, The Glenlivet, and Yamazaki sit alongside newer producers, reflecting the increasingly global nature of single malt whisky. Each of these expressions now stands as the benchmark for its country, highlighting both regional identity and the evolving standards of whisky production worldwide.
So, below is a table outlining all of the best single malts in the world according to the World Whiskies Awards 2026.
| Whisky | Country | Award |
| Bowmore 21 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask | Scotland (Islay) | World’s Best Single Malt, Best Scotch Islay Single Malt |
| Glen Scotia 15 Years Old | Scotland (Campbeltown) | Best Scotch Campbeltown Single Malt |
| Aberfeldy 21 Years Old | Scotland (Highlands) | Best Scotch Highlands Single Malt |
| Isle of Raasay Distillery Cask Strength | Scotland (Islands) | Best Scotch Islands (non-Islay) Single Malt |
| InchDairnie KinGlassie Double Matured Fife Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 8 Years | Scotland (Lowlands) | Best Scotch Lowlands Single Malt |
| The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve | Scotland (Speyside) | Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt |
| Virginia Distillery Company Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish | America | Best American Single Malt |
| Dunville’s Irish Whiskey PX 24 Years Old Single Malt | Ireland | Best Irish Single Malt |
| Yamazaki 18 Year Old | Japan | Best Japanese Single Malt |
| Macaloney’s Islay Distillery Peat Project – Washington Peat with Sugar Kep – Portuguese Red Wine Cask | Canada | Best Canadian Single Malt |
| Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky Port Cask | India | Best Indian Single Malt |
| Hammond’s Spirits Ironridge Whisky | England | Best English Single Malt |
| Kavalan Distiller’s Reserve No.1 Single Malt Whisky | Taiwan | Best Taiwanese Single Malt |
| Prakaan Select Cask | Thailand | Best Thai Single Malt |
| Callington Mill Distillery Amphora | Australia | Best Australian Single Malt |
| Filliers Single Malt Cask Strength | Belgium | Best Belgian Single Malt |
| Thy Whisky Single Malt | Denmark | Best Danish Single Malt |
| Cley Single Malt Cask Strength | Netherlands | Best Dutch Single Malt |
| Soidin Single Malt | Finland | Best Finnish Single Malt |
| Pointe Blanche | France | Best French Single Malt |
| Birkenhof Brennerei Fading Hill Single Malt Pleat Classic | Germany | Best German Single Malt |
| M&H Classic | Israel | Best Israeli Single Malt |
| inQuota Amarone Cask Finish | Italy | Best Italian Single Malt |
| Ki One Tiger Korean Single Malt Whisky | Republic of Korea | Best Republic of Korea Single Malt |
| Moonlight Creek West Coast Manuka Smoked | New Zealand | Best New Zealand Single Malt |
| Three Ships Cape Ruby Cask Finish 13 Years Old | South Africa | Best South African Single Malt |
| Destilerias Liber Toma 1492 | Spain | Best Spanish Single Malt |
| High Coast Whisky Sherry Embers | Sweden | Best Swedish Single Malt |
| Laizhou Bourbon Cask Peated Malt | China | Best Chinese Single Malt |
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