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Craft Irish Whiskey's The Donn Named Best Single Malt in the World 2026

In a remarkable achievement for the whiskey industry, The Donn by Craft Irish Whiskey has been named the Single Malt Whiskey of the Year at the 2026 London Spirits Competition. Scoring an impressive 96 points and securing a Double Gold, The Donn stands out not only for its flavor but also for its innovative approach to whiskey maturation.

At just 6.9 years old, The Donn has continued to shatter age-related assumptions about whiskey, having also claimed the title of "Best Whiskey in the World" for three consecutive years across different regions—including Asia in 2025 and the USA Spirits Ratings in 2024. This consistent recognition speaks volumes about the whiskey's exceptional quality and the mastery behind its creation.

A New Approach to Whiskey Making

Unlike many of its rivals, which often rely on long aging periods to define quality, The Donn is crafted through a meticulous cask journey designed to maximize flavor at each maturation stage. Starting its journey in ex-bourbon casks, The Donn undergoes a sophisticated process where it transitions through a series of carefully selected casks, each adding unique layers of flavor:

• - Tawny Port casks
• - Deep-stave toasted virgin Hungarian oak
• - Multiple styles of Pedro Ximénez sherry

This progression is intentional, with each cask introduction providing new elements of sweetness, structure, and complexity. The choice of varying barrel sizes and innovative underfilling techniques further enhances the whiskey's interaction with oxygen, thus boosting the wood-to-spirit ratio through the maturation process. This meticulous attention to detail is a rarity in the industry.

Jay Bradley, the Founder and Master Blender of Craft Irish Whiskey, notes, _"This is a whiskey I've guided from the moment it was distilled to the day it was bottled. Every decision we made was meant to shape flavor rather than adhere to tradition. To have it recognized at this level three years in a row validates that vision."_

Evaluating Excellence

The London Spirits Competition is renowned for its rigorous judging process. It assembles a panel of esteemed global spirits professionals, including master blenders and top buyers from industry leaders like Bacardi, Diageo, and Pernod Ricard. These experts assess entries based on quality, real-world consumer appeal, and value, making this accolade particularly significant for Craft Irish Whiskey.

About Craft Irish Whiskey

Craft Irish Whiskey is at the forefront of revolutionizing the premium Irish whiskey market. Focusing on flavor-driven maturation rather than age statements, the company combines traditional distilling methods with cutting-edge data-driven techniques. As a result, it has produced some of the most awarded and sought-after Irish whiskeys in the world.

Their innovative practices include unique wood selection, varying cask sizes, and tailored maturation processes that capture each whiskey at its peak flavor. This approach not only enhances the whiskey's profile but also signifies Craft Irish Whiskey's commitment to redefining quality in every bottle.

The recognition of The Donn at the London Spirits Competition showcases the exciting evolution of Irish whiskey and sets the stage for what consumers can expect in the future. As Craft Irish Whiskey continues to blend heritage with modern practices, the whiskey community eagerly anticipates what lies ahead.