Five Australian whiskies (and four Australian Distillers members) are finalists for the World’s Best Australian Single Malt Whisky at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).

SFWSC is the oldest and largest competition of its kind, setting the industry standard for excellence. Medal winners range from globally renowned distilleries to rising small-batch producers, many of whom have gained widespread recognition through the competition.

The competition is rigorous judged by an expert panel of spirits professionals, with each product tasted blind.

The Aussie top five finalists are:

Australian distillers took out 18 Double Gold medals at the SFWSC, which is the oldest and largest competition of its kind, setting the industry standard for excellence.

Medal winners range from globally renowned distilleries to rising small-batch producers, many of whom have gained widespread recognition through the competition.

Among the distillers that swept up a swag of Double Golds were Starward with six and Callington Mill with four.

Callington Mill Distillery Founder John Ibrahim said: “The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a huge platform to showcase our craft. It’s one of the world’s most respected spirits competitions.

“We’re incredibly proud to see our whiskies earning recognition at a global level, particularly at a time as we’re expanding our footprint both in Australia and internationally.”

Last year, San Francisco World Spirits Competition named Starward whisky the world’s best for 2024, awarding it with the title of ‘Most Awarded International Distillery of the Year’.

“It is incredibly thrilling to have this recognition from a highly competitive global competition, across all spirit categories,” Starward founder David Vitale said.

“It is the Olympics of the international spirits industry, and our Melbourne-made whisky has taken top honour. With this recognition, it is absolutely plausible that the Australian whisky industry could be as big internationally as Japanese whisky, which would be a massive boon for our export industry.”

The Best in Class and Best in Show winners will be announced at The Tasting Alliance’s annual gala later this year.

All the Aussie Double Gold winners at 2025 SFWSC

Original article published in Drinks Digest 04 June 25.