The World’s Best Single Malt—According To The 2026 London Spirits Competition

LifestyleSpiritsThe World’s Best Single Malt—According To The 2026 London Spirits CompetitionByBrad Japhe,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. You can find me at the confluence of food, beverage and travel.Follow AuthorMay 10, 2026, 04:35am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryThe Donn Single Malt Irish Whiskey, crafted by The Craft Irish Whiskey Company, earned the prestigious "Single Malt Whiskey of the Year" title at the London Spirits Competition. This significant win highlights the competition's unique focus on quality, value, and appearance, leading to a surprising victory for the lesser-known Irish brand. Scoring an impressive 96, The Donn is set to launch in the US this summer for $300. Its rich flavor profile, boasting notes of berry, figs, coffee, and sherry, results from a sophisticated, non-age-stated maturation process utilizing diverse cask types and fill levels over approximately seven years. This accolade further emphasizes the booming super premium Irish whiskey sector, as The Donn surpassed renowned Scottish and Japanese competitors.Show More The Donn Irish Whiskey is awarded Best Single Malt of 2026 by the London Spirits CompetitionPhoto illustration: Brad JapheEarlier this month we reported details on the London Spirits Competition and why the annual judging is distinct from others in the crowded world of tasting awards. In short: the evaluation measures quality, value and appearance. And the scoring system out of 100 resulted in a relatively obscure American brand taking home the top prize for whiskey. Now it’s time to take a closer look at what those prestigious palates deemed the, "Single Malt Whiskey of the Year." Indeed, it’s another controversial pick; an expression that’s likely unknown to many American drinkers – until now. Amassing an impressive score of 96, the big winne...