Top spirits from the IWSC 2022

From peppery rye whiskey from Indiana and sloe gin from Estonia to top-notch Shochu and single malt Scotch – these are the best spirits from around the world according to the IWSC 2022

WORDS BY IWSC JUDGES29 APRIL 2022

Time to restock your home drink collection? The IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition) has just named the top spirits of 2022, awarding 23 trophies for top whiskies, Tequila, vodka, Cognac and more. The list of winners includes some truly brilliant bottles from all over the world, from a Northern Irish producer scooping the Contemporary Gin Trophy to a Japanese single malt aged in ex-Bordeaux red wine casks awarded the Asian Whisky Trophy.

Indeed, in the IWSC’s top spirits of 2022, you’ll find a strong selection of whiskies, ranging from modern American bourbon to traditional, aged Scotch. There’s also a strong range of gins, with European entries shining brightly at the awards – you’ll find bottles from Estonia and the UK in the list below.

Look further east, and you’ll find top Shochu and Baijiu from Japan and China respectively. From the Americas, there’s award-winning extra-añejo Tequila and espadín mezcal, as well as rye whisky from Indiana and bourbon hailing from Kentucky.

The spirits in this list were all awarded with a gold medal from the IWSC 2022 by a roster of experienced judges who tasted each entry blind before scoring each spirit out of 100; to achieve a gold medal, spirits had to score 95 points and up. All gold medal winners were then put forward for a further blind tasting to decide which bottle should be named the best in show within each spirits category. So, without further ado, dive into our list of the top spirits of 2022 according to the IWSC.

HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?

We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.

HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?

Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.

MORE FROM CLUB OENOLOGIQUE

Club O is an exclusive community and the go-to platform for wine and spirit lovers. Our flagship Club Oenologique magazine offers even more insights for enthusiasts and collectors. Based in London, our editorial team tells informative, inspirational stories from the world of wine and spirits, gastronomy and travel, as well as covering recommendations and the latest trends in drink. You can take a look at our Explained series, for instance, where we’re tackling grape varieties, regions and styles of wine and spirits. Alternatively, visit our Ask the Sommelier section, where experts answer your wine-related questions.