Scotch made a strong showing at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, standing out in a field that included everything from bourbon to Japanese whisky. Six Scotch expressions earned coveted Double Gold medals. A mark of unanimous praise from the expert judging panel.
These winners span Islay peat monsters, Highland innovators, and blended releases with global appeal. Each bottle offers a clear reason it stood out in blind tasting, and together they highlight the diversity and depth Scotch continues to offer.
You can find the full list of Scotch whisky winners here. But today, I thought I would delve a little deeper into the six Double Gold medal-winning whiskies that stood above the rest.
So, let’s take a look at the best Scotch whiskies in the world according to the New York World Spirits Competition 2025.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie
Award: Double Gold, Best Overall Scotch & Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 12 Years or Less
Tasting Notes: Chocolate, tar, savoury meats, black pepper, sappy pine resin, smoke
Find Your Next Bottle: $37
Ardbeg has never been shy about peat, but Wee Beastie turns the volume all the way up. This five-year-old Islay single malt is bold, smoky, and packs an unbelievable punch for such a young whisky.
Distilled at the Ardbeg Distillery on the southern coast of Islay, Wee Beastie is matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, then bottled at 47.4% ABV with no chill filtration. The result is punchy and raw, yet remarkably complex for its age.
Launched in 2020 as the youngest member of Ardbeg’s core lineup, it was designed to showcase the untamed side of peat. According to the distillery, it’s “the rawest, smokiest Ardbeg ever,” and fans of big, peaty drams tend to agree.
At the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, it took home not just Double Gold but also Best Overall Scotch. A panel of industry experts tasted it blind and agreed — this so-called “wee” beast boasts some incredible flavour.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
Award: Double Gold, Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement
Tasting Notes: Sweet spice, floral notes of rose and jasmine, sugar-coated almonds, eucalyptus
Find Your Next Bottle: $80
Glenmorangie has long embraced creativity, but A Tale of Spices takes its experimental streak to new heights. Released as part of the distillery’s “Tale of…” series, this no-age-statement Highland single malt was inspired by the colors, aromas, and energy of spice markets around the world.
It’s finished in an unusual combination of four cask types: Moroccan red wine, new charred oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and shaved, toasted red wine barriques. Bottled at 46% ABV, it delivers bold, aromatic layers from sweet to earthy.
During a virtual tasting I attended with Glenmorangie’s Dr. Bill Lumsden, he described the project as a “mosaic of flavors,” built from years of cask experimentation. “Each sip is like immersing yourself in the sensory delights of a spice market,” he said, citing notes of ginger, nutmeg, cumin, and sugared almonds.
The judges at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition were clearly taken by its complexity. The whisky earned a Double Gold and was named Best NAS Single Malt, highlighting its success as both a technical achievement and a sensory adventure.
Glenmorangie The Infinita 18 Year Old
Award: Double Gold, Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 13 to 19 Years
Tasting Notes: Honey, caramelised orange, jasmine, lemon blossom, figs, orange marmalade, campfire smoke
Find Your Next Bottle: $111
With The Infinita 18 Year Old, Glenmorangie offers a refined reimagining of its classic 18-year-old expression. This Highland single malt is aged primarily in ex-bourbon casks, with a portion finished in Oloroso sherry barrels. It’s bottled at 43% ABV and shaped by nearly two decades of patient maturation.
The name “Infinita” reflects the distillery’s view of flavor as an endless landscape — an idea central to Glenmorangie’s creative philosophy. While the packaging and name are new, the whisky itself is built on tradition. It’s floral, fruity, and layered, with a polished mouthfeel and a gentle trail of smoke on the finish.
The 2025 New York World Spirits Competition awarded it Double Gold and top honors in the 13 to 19-year-old single malt category. Judges praised its elegance and balance, a hallmark of Glenmorangie’s older age statements.
This is a whisky that wins you over with quiet confidence and depth.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
Award: Double Gold, Best Blended Scotch
Tasting Notes: Sweet fruit, a hint of spice, berries, honeyed sweetness, figs, plums, maraschino cherries, smoke
Find Your Next Bottle: $32
Johnnie Walker’s latest limited release puts a bold spin on a familiar favorite. Black Ruby builds on the foundation of Black Label but leans into rich, red-fruited flavors with an indulgent edge.
Crafted by Master Blender Emma Walker and her team, it features a blend of malt and grain whiskies matured in a mix of bourbon barrels and red wine casks seasoned with Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry. The addition of spirit from Diageo’s modern Roseisle distillery brings vibrant berry notes, backed by a wisp of smoke and gentle spice.
It’s bottled at 40% ABV and designed to appeal to both loyal fans and curious newcomers. The blend is smoother and fruitier than standard Black Label but still unmistakably part of the Johnnie Walker family.
At the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, Black Ruby took Double Gold and the top spot in the blended Scotch category. Judges praised its balance of sweetness and structure, calling it a standout for its price.
This is an accessible yet expressive release, ideal for casual sipping or gifting.
Imperial 12 Year Old Blended Scotch
Award: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Complex and well-rounded
Find Your Next Bottle: $18.99
Imperial 12 may not be a household name everywhere, but in South Korea and parts of Asia, it’s a staple. Owned by Chivas Brothers, the blend was originally developed with international markets in mind and has built a quiet reputation for consistency and value.
It’s made from a mix of malt and grain whiskies, all aged for at least 12 years. While specific component malts aren’t disclosed, the profile certainly has Speyside notes: light, floral, and gently sweet with a hint of spice. Bottled at 40% ABV, it’s approachable and smooth, ideal for neat pours or highballs.
At the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, it earned a Double Gold medal, signaling its quality to a broader global audience.
For under $20, it’s one of the best value blends on the market. It can be easy to overlook, but it is worth discovering.
It is also worth mentioning that it is much easier to find Imperial Scotch Whisky in the United States. So, if you are looking for an accessible way into Scotch, this could be it.
The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky
Award: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Organic grain, Madeira, fruit notes, butterscotch, caramel
Find Your Next Bottle: $102
The Sassenach isn’t just a celebrity-backed whisky. It’s a carefully crafted blend with genuine character. Created by actor Sam Heughan, best known for Outlander, this limited-release Scotch was designed to capture what he calls “the spirit of home.”
Made with a selection of Highland and Island single malts, The Sassenach is matured and finished in Madeira wine casks. It’s bottled at 46% ABV and offers a full, rounded profile rich in stone fruits, sweet spice, and buttery caramel.
Produced in collaboration with Master Blender Michael Henry, it’s aimed at both new drinkers and seasoned fans. The elegant packaging and limited availability have also made it a favorite among collectors.
At the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, it earned a Double Gold, confirming that the quality inside matches the story behind it.