Craft Irish Whiskey's The Donn Achieves 98 Points at IWSC 2026
The spirit industry is buzzing with excitement as Craft Irish Whiskey's The Donn Single Malt has recently made headlines after securing an impressive score of 98 points at the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026. This score places The Donn among the top whiskies worldwide, a remarkable accomplishment as it ranked second in a field of over 1,300 entrants, with only one other whisky achieving a higher score.
This accolade comes as no surprise to connoisseurs and whisky enthusiasts alike, as The Donn has previously garnered multiple prestigious awards over the last few years. In 2024, it was named Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the USA Spirits Ratings, followed by winning the same title at the Asia Spirits Ratings in 2025. Just a year later, The Donn also earned the title of Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the London Spirits Competition, solidifying its position as a leading whisky choice on the international stage.
Jay Bradley, the founder and Master Blender of Craft Irish Whiskey, expressed immense pride in the recognition The Donn has received across various competitions in North America, Asia, and Europe. He stated, "What makes these results so significant is their consistency. The Donn has now been recognized by juries on three different continents under blind tasting conditions, reinforcing the quality and reliability of our whisky. We are proud of what The Donn has accomplished and believe this is just the beginning of its journey."
At just 6.9 years old, The Donn offers a tasting experience that rivals significantly older whiskies. Instead of attributing its exceptional taste to age alone, Craft Irish Whiskey emphasizes a progressive maturation process. Initially, The Donn is aged in ex-bourbon barrels, setting a solid foundation upon which the complexity builds as it undergoes further aging in Tawny port barrels, deeply roasted Hungarian oak barrels, and various Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. This blend of unique barrel types, sizes, and controlled filling techniques amplifies the spirit's intricate flavor profile and hastens the aromatic development.
The judges at the IWSC praised The Donn for its dynamic flavor profile, starting with an invigorating and fruity aroma of cola and spices. This evolves into a rich, full-bodied experience of molasses, raspberry, and wood, concluding with a lengthy, sweet finish that unveils notes of apple, red velvet cake, ginger, and chocolate.
Craft Irish Whiskey distinguishes itself in the crowded field of premium Irish whiskey by focusing on flavor maturation rather than merely age declarations. By merging traditional distillation techniques with contemporary data-driven approaches, the company is committed to selecting the finest barrels and custom aging practices, all aimed at capturing each whisky’s taste at its pinnacle. As they look to the future, Craft Irish Whiskey continues to innovate and redefine what it means to produce quality Irish whisky, offering consumers a product that reflects both heritage and modern artistry. With The Donn, they have set a high bar not only for themselves but for the entire whisky industry.
For further inquiries regarding Craft Irish Whiskey or The Donn, please reach out via email at [email protected] or call at 020 8077 3632. More information can also be found on their website, craftirishwhiskey.com.
This accolade comes as no surprise to connoisseurs and whisky enthusiasts alike, as The Donn has previously garnered multiple prestigious awards over the last few years. In 2024, it was named Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the USA Spirits Ratings, followed by winning the same title at the Asia Spirits Ratings in 2025. Just a year later, The Donn also earned the title of Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the London Spirits Competition, solidifying its position as a leading whisky choice on the international stage.
Jay Bradley, the founder and Master Blender of Craft Irish Whiskey, expressed immense pride in the recognition The Donn has received across various competitions in North America, Asia, and Europe. He stated, "What makes these results so significant is their consistency. The Donn has now been recognized by juries on three different continents under blind tasting conditions, reinforcing the quality and reliability of our whisky. We are proud of what The Donn has accomplished and believe this is just the beginning of its journey."
At just 6.9 years old, The Donn offers a tasting experience that rivals significantly older whiskies. Instead of attributing its exceptional taste to age alone, Craft Irish Whiskey emphasizes a progressive maturation process. Initially, The Donn is aged in ex-bourbon barrels, setting a solid foundation upon which the complexity builds as it undergoes further aging in Tawny port barrels, deeply roasted Hungarian oak barrels, and various Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. This blend of unique barrel types, sizes, and controlled filling techniques amplifies the spirit's intricate flavor profile and hastens the aromatic development.
The judges at the IWSC praised The Donn for its dynamic flavor profile, starting with an invigorating and fruity aroma of cola and spices. This evolves into a rich, full-bodied experience of molasses, raspberry, and wood, concluding with a lengthy, sweet finish that unveils notes of apple, red velvet cake, ginger, and chocolate.
Craft Irish Whiskey distinguishes itself in the crowded field of premium Irish whiskey by focusing on flavor maturation rather than merely age declarations. By merging traditional distillation techniques with contemporary data-driven approaches, the company is committed to selecting the finest barrels and custom aging practices, all aimed at capturing each whisky’s taste at its pinnacle. As they look to the future, Craft Irish Whiskey continues to innovate and redefine what it means to produce quality Irish whisky, offering consumers a product that reflects both heritage and modern artistry. With The Donn, they have set a high bar not only for themselves but for the entire whisky industry.
For further inquiries regarding Craft Irish Whiskey or The Donn, please reach out via email at [email protected] or call at 020 8077 3632. More information can also be found on their website, craftirishwhiskey.com.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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