The winners of the WWA World’s Best Single Malt Whisky come from Scotland, the US, and Sweden. Below are details and tasting notes for the top single malt whiskies.

The World Whiskies Awards (WWA) have announced the best single malt whiskies in the world. The winners include distilleries from Scotland, the US, and Sweden. Below are some background details and tasting notes.

GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (46% ABV, 750 ml, $67)

GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old was named the World’s Best Scotch Whisky. It comes from GlenAllachie Distillery in Scotland’s Speyside region. The distillery is led by Billy Walker, a whisky expert known for making high-quality Scotch.

This whisky is part of GlenAllachie’s core range and is carefully made from hand-selected casks. It is aged in three types of barrels: Pedro Ximenez (PX), Oloroso Sherry, and virgin oak. These casks give the whisky its rich and complex flavors.

Tasting Notes

  • Aroma: Fruity and aromatic with honey, butterscotch, raisins, figs, cinnamon, nutmeg, candied orange zest, and roasted almonds.

  • Taste: Rich, sweet, and full-bodied with caramel, creamy vanilla, dark chocolate, cooked fruits, black pepper, and ginger. The sherry cask influence adds a smooth texture without overpowering the flavors.

The finish is long and sweet, with layers of spice, oak, and light herbal flavors that stay on the tongue.

The GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old is a well-made whisky that highlights the distillery’s dedication to quality. It has a perfect mix of sweetness and spice, thanks to the different types of casks used in aging. This makes it a great choice for any whisky collection. At an average U.S. price of $67 (based on Wine Searcher), it offers great value for one of the world’s best single malt Scotch whiskies. Also, check out How Oak Shapes Scotch Whisky: The GlenAllachie Virgin Oak Series.

Andalusia Whiskey Company’s Stryker Ex Haak Madeira Cask Finished Single Malt

  • ABV: 62.1%

  • Bottle Size: 750ml

  • Price: $53

This whisky won the award for World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt. Andalusia Whiskey Company, a craft distillery in Texas, creates American single malt whiskies using both traditional and modern techniques to develop unique flavors.

It begins as Stryker, a triple-distilled smoky American single malt inspired by classic peated Scotch whiskies. This bold, smoky whisky is then aged in casks that previously held Madeira wine, adding extra layers of flavor.

This additional aging gives the whisky the rich, sweet, and complex taste of Madeira wine, blending smoky and dried fruit flavors.

Tasting Notes

  • Nose (Smell): A mix of peat smoke, dried figs, raisins, caramel, vanilla, candied citrus zest, and roasted nuts.

  • Palate (Taste): Strong smoky flavor balanced by Madeira’s sweetness, with hints of dark chocolate and cooked dark fruits. The texture is smooth, slightly oily, and creamy.

  • Finish: Long and sweet, with lingering smoke, dark dried fruit, and warm spices like cinnamon and clove.

This Stryker whisky shows Andalusia Whiskey Company’s dedication to craft and innovation. It’s perfect for whisky lovers who enjoy a smoky whisky with an added richness from Madeira cask aging.

High Coast Small Batch 11, 56% ABV, 700 ml

High Coast Small Batch 11 was named the World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky. However, it is only sold at a few stores in Sweden.

High Coast Distillery, formerly called The Box Distillery, is located in Ådalen, Sweden. The distillery is known for its creative whisky-making methods. It sits near the Ångerman River, where the big changes in temperature throughout the year help the whisky age in a unique way.

GreatDrams Rare Cask Series, Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 48.2% ABV, 500 ml

GreatDrams is an independent company that selects and bottles rare and limited-edition whiskies. Their Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is made only from single malts from Campbeltown, a well-known whisky region in Scotland. Campbeltown once had over 30 distilleries and was called the “whisky capital of the world.” Today, only a few distilleries remain, but they still produce high-quality whisky with a unique, slightly salty and smoky flavor.

The smell of this whisky reflects Campbeltown’s coastal style, with hints of sea air, iodine, and light peat smoke. You may also notice dried fruits like raisins and apricots, along with vanilla, caramel, nuts, and a touch of earthiness.

The taste is rich and bold, featuring salted caramel, brine, candied orange zest, and strong peat smoke. It has a creamy texture with a mix of salty, smoky, and sweet dried fruit flavors.

The finish is long-lasting, with sweetness from dried fruits and lingering smoky, salty, and slightly oaky notes.

Like other whiskies chosen by GreatDrams, this one highlights the unique flavors of its region and offers something special for whisky lovers.

The 2025 World Whisky Awards

The 2025 World Whisky Awards featured many excellent single malt whiskies. While a Scotch whisky won the title of The World’s Best Single Malt, an American and a Swedish whisky also won in their categories. This shows that top-quality single malt whisky is being made all over the world. For more details, see The Best American Whiskies and The Top Value Sherried Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Published: 27th March 2025

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