Midleton Wins Most Awarded Distillery at SFWSC 2026 For Second Year in a Row

Midleton Distillery has been named Most Awarded International Distillery for the second consecutive year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2026. The County Cork distillery, operated by Irish Distillers, secured 41 medals across its portfolio, including three whiskeys that earned Platinum recognition.

Redbreast 12-Year-Old Cask Strength, Redbreast 27 Year Old and Yellow Spot were each awarded Platinum. The accolade is reserved for expressions that have achieved Double Gold for three consecutive years. Alongside the three Platinum awards, Midleton’s whiskeys secured seven Double Gold, 13 Gold and 18 Silver medals.

The SFWSC is widely regarded as one of the most influential competitions in the global spirits industry. It brings together leading producers from around the world, with spirits evaluated through a blind tasting process by an expert judging panel.

Midleton also secured all three finalist positions for ‘Best Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey’. Blue Spot, Redbreast 12-Year-Old Cask Strength and Yellow Spot were shortlisted for the accolade, with the final category winner due to be announced at the Top Shelf Awards Gala later this year.

Among the other results, Redbreast secured 11 medals, including four Double Golds. Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition, Redbreast 12-Year-Old Cask Strength, Blue Spot and Yellow Spot each received scores of 98 points.

“What makes this recognition particularly special is the consistency it represents,” said Kevin O’Gorman, master distiller at Midleton Distillery. “Every whiskey we create has its own character, shaped by different distillates, cask types and maturation journeys, but the same commitment to quality runs through them all. To see this recognised year after year, and across such a breadth of whiskeys, is a tremendous endorsement of the skill and dedication of our teams at Midleton.”

Tommy Keane, chairman of Irish Distillers, added: “To be named ‘Most Awarded International Distillery’ for a second consecutive year is an incredible honour and a proud achievement for everyone at Midleton. Recognition across such a broad range of our whiskeys speaks to the expertise, ambition and consistency of our teams, and to the standards they uphold every day.”

Irish Distillers is owned by French drinks group Pernod Ricard, which acquired the business in 1988. The Midleton site produces the Jameson, Redbreast, Spot and Midleton Very Rare ranges.