At the 2025 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), each of these single malt scotch whiskies scored 98 out of 100. And every one earned the highest honor available: “Spirit Gold Outstanding”.
That’s no small feat. The IWSC judges are among the most experienced in the industry, and reaching this level requires not only exceptional quality but distinctive character. This year’s top scorers offer both, with a mix of legendary names and bold newcomers. From a resurrected Lowland icon to Highland experiments in Cognac casks, each expression reflects a unique approach to single malt scotch, and all stood out on the global stage.
Here’s a closer look at the whiskies that led the pack in 2025.
Rosebank Legacy Release Three 32 Year Old
Tasting notes from the IWSC judges: “Gorgeously fragrant with delicate aromas of sweet grass seed, enticing red fruit and a hint of aniseed. The smooth palate reveals a harmonious blend of sweet, juicy citrus fruit, sweeping floral undertones and splendidly warm barrel spice.”
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The third installment in Rosebank’s “Legacy” series, this 32-year-old single malt is drawn from casks distilled before the distillery’s closure in 1993. It’s triple-distilled and produced using traditional worm-tub condensers, giving the unpeated Lowland spirit both delicacy and weight. Bottled at 47.6% ABV and unchillfiltered, it has floral and orchard fruit character with a touch of oily depth.
Rosebank was long regarded as “The King of the Lowlands” before being mothballed in 1993. It returned to life in 2023 after a full restoration by Ian Macleod Distillers. Awarded 98 points at this year’s IWSC, the Legacy Release Three offers a final taste of the original Rosebank style before the distillery’s new era begins in full.
Deanston Virgin Oak
Tasting notes from the IWSC judges: “Gentle spice, hints of baked custard, and a touch of candied ginger on the nose. The palate unfolds with a creamy texture of vanilla and baking spice with rich oak and a dry finish of mineral spice and a hint of tangy orange.”
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Deanston’s Virgin Oak expression is a masterclass in coaxing bold flavor from young whisky. Matured first in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in freshly charred virgin American oak, it balances the sweetness of vanilla and honey with spice and citrus zest. It’s bottled at 46.3% ABV.
Located in a converted 18th-century cotton mill on the banks of the River Teith, Deanston is known for its sustainable ethos and craft methods. It uses only Scottish barley, long fermentation times, and generates its own electricity via hydropower. The Virgin Oak earned 98 points at the IWSC for its boldness, balance, and clean Highland character.
Deanston flies relatively far under the radar in terms of its global presence. Here’s hoping that this award will give it some more weight in the global market. If you can find it, do try it.
Chivas Brothers A’glac Charrann 27 Year Old (Imperial)
Tasting notes from the IWSC judges: “Bold and fragrant with an enticing bubble-gum sweetness and soft spice on the nose. The palate provides creamy chocolate and caramel notes which complement a core of blackberry pie, toasted pecan, and nutmeg, before culminating in a lifted, fresh pear finish.”
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This 27-year-old single malt is a rare glimpse into the lost spirit of the Imperial Distillery, which closed for good in 1998. Aged entirely in American oak, it’s bottled at natural cask strength, allowing the Speyside distillery’s soft orchard fruit and gentle spice to shine through without interference.
Imperial, originally founded in 1897, was demolished in the 2010s after decades of sporadic operation. But a collection of maturing casks survived and has been gradually released under Chivas Brothers’ “Secret Speyside” collection. A’glac Charrann, Gaelic for “Fording the River Carron”, is both a tribute to a forgotten distillery and a showcase of classic Speyside subtlety. It was one of the IWSC’s highest-scoring whiskies of the year.
Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
Tasting notes from the IWSC judges: “The aromatic embrace begins with brine interwoven with wood smoke and brown bread. The velvety textured palate reveals juicy oranges and a touch of white pepper. Subtle peat enhances notes of dried fruit and warm spice on a long, lingering finish.”
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Loch Lomond’s 18 Year Old expression is a complex Highland malt crafted from spirit produced in both traditional swan-neck stills and the distillery’s distinctive straight-neck stills. It’s aged for 18 years in three types of American oak cask, re-charred on-site for consistency, and bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration. The result is a rich, full-bodied whisky with baked apple, vanilla, and a soft thread of smoke.
The distillery, located near the shores of Loch Lomond, is unique in Scotland for producing both malt and grain whiskies under one roof. With an in-house cooperage and the ability to produce a wide range of spirit styles, Loch Lomond has become known for its technical innovation.
This 18-year-old earned 98 points at the IWSC for its depth, balance, and unmistakable character. In fact, Loch Lomond keeps cropping up at whisky and spirit competitions across the world. Try it, and you won’t be disappointed, according to experts.
Loch Lomond Waypoint Series 16 Year Old “Falls of Falloch”
Tasting notes from the IWSC judges: “Fragrant oak and nutmeg invite you in, complemented by roasted apple and plum. The palate bursts with tropical fruits—melon, mango, lychee, and grape—while soft layers of spice linger elegantly, leading to a satisfying medium-long finish. Complex and expressive.”
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Another entry from Loch Lomond, this limited-edition single malt is part of Loch Lomond’s Waypoint Series, which explores place-based storytelling through cask finishing. The 16-year-old “Falls of Falloch” expression was aged for 15 years in a mix of ex-bourbon casks before spending a final year in ex-Cognac brandy casks, adding floral and fruity lift to the spirit’s Highland core. It was bottled at 46.2% ABV.
While the distillery is best known for its technical range, the Waypoint Series highlights its growing interest in experimental cask maturation and terroir-driven themes. Named after a scenic waterfall not far from the distillery, this release earned 98 points from the IWSC for its freshness, structure, and inventiveness.
Benriach 2013 Vintage Triple Sherry Cask
Tasting notes from the IWSC judges: “An evocative and alluring blend of cedar, polished oak, sultanas, and ginger notes, enlivened with a generous sprinkling of baking spices. The palate showcases a sherry cask influence, which imbues the fruit core with a great richness and depth.”
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Crafted under the direction of Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie, this 2013 vintage Benriach layers three sherry cask types for maximum depth. One parcel of spirit was fully matured in Oloroso, another was finished in Oloroso after ex-bourbon aging, and a third was finished in Pedro Ximénez casks. The result is a richly spiced, fruit-laden whisky bottled at 48.4% ABV with natural color and no chill filtration.
Benriach, founded in 1898 and revived several times since, is known for its wide spirit range, including peated and triple-distilled expressions, and for its experimental cask program. This Triple Sherry release is a prime example of that approach, earning one of the IWSC’s top scores of the year.
Final Thoughts
This year’s IWSC Gold Outstanding single malts reflect the breadth of scotch whisky today: from the revival of pre-closure Rosebank stock to the bold oak-forward youth of Deanston, and from the vanished stills of Imperial to the careful cask selection at Benriach. Loch Lomond, notably, secured two of the seven top spots.
Each of these whiskies scored 98 points, the highest awarded by the IWSC in 2025. More importantly, each one offers a different take on what single malt scotch can be, whether that’s grounded in tradition, driven by innovation, or shaped by time and place. If you’re looking to taste the best of what Scotland has to offer this year, this list is an excellent place to start.
