Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt has secured six gold medals across the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) UK 2026 and the World Whisky Masters 2026. The brand, produced by South Seas Distilleries, was announced as the top-performing Indian single malt at the IWSC on 10 September 2026 in New Delhi.
At the IWSC UK 2026, Crazy Cock Madhuca III was the only Indian whisky to receive a gold medal in the category.
The brand also secured the top three positions among Indian whiskies. Its portfolio accounted for five of the 10 medals awarded to Indian single malts.
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The IWSC was established in 1969 and is widely regarded as one of the most respected wine and spirits competitions globally.
The 2026 judging panels featured names from the international spirits community, including Dawn Davies MW, Richard Paterson OBE, Ian Burrell, Joel Harrison, Olivier Ward, David T. Smith, Deano Moncrieffe and Marie Cheong-Thon.
At the World Whisky Masters 2026, the Indian single malt portfolio secured five gold medals.
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READ THE STORYThe result places the brand among the Indian single malts “making a strong impression on international whisky experts,” according to the release.
Combined, the two competitions saw the portfolio earn six gold medals.
The company said the back-to-back recognition “highlights the growing ability of Indian single malts to compete with established whisky-producing nations on the basis of craftsmanship, character and innovation.”
Central to the recognition is the brand’s Madhuca range, which “draws on Indian provenance and distilling expertise to create a distinctive expression of contemporary Indian single malt whisky.”
The portfolio reflects “a deliberate approach to developing a whisky that carries its Indian identity with confidence, rather than attempting to replicate traditional Scotch styles,” the company added.
South Seas Distilleries is described as India’s oldest malt distillery, with a heritage dating back to 1922. The company said the results were “a statement that Indian single malt whisky is increasingly capable of standing alongside the world’s most established whisky-making traditions.”
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