Top World Whiskeys From the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Best of Japan, Canada, Ireland, and More

The best whiskeys from around the world have been crowned by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and while you may be most interested in the bourbon, rye, and Scotch categories, the world whiskeys that’ve won double gold this year are worth a look (and a pour), too.

In the world of whiskey, it’s fair to say that reputation is everything. Kentucky and other buzzy places of origin take a lot of the attention, which is why some of the brands below may have evaded your radar until now.

Related: 10 Best International Whiskey Distilleries to Visit

The SFWSC awards several levels of distinction in each of their categories, with the top honor being double gold. From the double gold pool, finalists and eventually “Best in Show” spirits are selected. We’ve noted the finalists (some of which were announced this week) and if you see only one bottle in any of the categories below, it’s already a Best in Show winner by default.

Whiskeys from the following countries made it to the Double Gold level this year:

• Japan

• Canada

• Australia

• Ireland

• Taiwan

• Israel

• France

• The Netherlands

That’s an impressive number of countries, given how few produced whiskey for export a decade ago.

The Best in Show winners will be announced later this month, but every bottle on this list is already among the best of the best, and a winner in its own right.

Japanese Whisky

• Matsui The Kurayoshi Aged 18 Years Pure Malt Whisky

• Kanosuke 2022 Single Malt Limited Edition

• Mars Tsunuki 2022 Single Malt (Finalist)

• Suekichi Pure Malt Whisky

• Yamazakura Single Malt by Sasakawa (Finalist)

Canadian Whisky

• Crown Royal 29 Year Old Canadian Whisky

• Crown Royal 30 Year Old Canadian Whisky(Finalist)

• Eau Claire Distillery Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky (Finalist)

Australian Whisky

• Headlands Muscat Cask Whisky

• Amber Lane Single Apera Cask 087

• Callington Mill Distillery El Sol Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky 46%

• Dobson’s Belle Epoch

• Morris Whisky Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel

• Morris Whisky Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature

• Morris Whisky Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel 48% ABV

Irish Whiskey

• Cairlinn Bay Irish Whiskey Oak & Coast Blended Irish Whiskey (Finalist)

• Kinsale Spirit Wild Atlantic Way IPA

• Northcross Irish Whiskey Northcross Triple Wood (Finalist)

• Teeling Whiskey Small Batch Irish Whiskey

• Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Series

• Redbreast 15 Year Old (Finalist)

• Bunratty Irish Whiskey Premium Blend with Peated Malt

• Egan’s Irish Whiskey Endeavour (Finalist)

• Keeper’s Heart 10 Year Old Irish Single Malt (Finalist)

• The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Other Whisk(e)y

• Bunnyville Single Grain Whisky Cask Strength-Jasmine Tea Liqueur Barrel

• The M&H Whisky Distillery Elements – Sherry

• Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky

• Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

• Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

• Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

• Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

• Sculte Twentse Whisky Refill Special Limited Edition 2MB Recipe One

• Alfred Giraud French Malt Whisky Harmoine Triple Malt

See more results from the 2023 San Francisco Spirits Competition

Related: Best Bourbon Whiskeys 2023: SF World Spirits Competition

Related: Best Rye Whiskeys Revealed: 2023 SF World Spirits Competition

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Related: Best American Whiskeys at 2023 SF World Spirits Competition

Related: Best Scotch Whiskies From 2023 SF World Spirits Competition