2026
WHISKY
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bruichladdich does it again The Islay distillery is your 2026 champion.
Bruichladdich WINS!
Another year, another title heading for Islay.
Bruichladdich has now won the Whisky Championships four times in six years, having previously taken the crown in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Throw in Bunnahabhain victories in 2021 and 2024 and Islay's grip on this competition remains absolute.
Runners Up: Springbank, Lagavulin, Tobermory
Let’s hear it for our runners-up: Springbank was a close second. Lagavulin and Tobermory rounded-off very competitive semi-finals. There are just so many great distilleries worth celebrating. In a sense, the real winner is whisky. In a more literal one it's Bruichladdich still, but the sentiment is nice, isn't it?
Lagavulin
Distillers Edition
70cl • 43%
Lagavulin is a worthy semi finalist. It's the only distillery to make it this far that makes a sole style of single malt, one that has won it fans the world over, including some notable celebrity champions. Aged in Pedro Ximénez seasoned American oak casks here - rich, decadent spice and dark fruit meets smoky, coastal single malt. Drinking this is probably the closest thing to having dragon's breath.
Tobermory
12 Year Old
70cl • 46.3%
It was a delight to see Tobermory (+ Ledaig) go so far this year. The Champs really did favour distilleries that can flex more than one profile of whisky. Whisky with the name Ledaig is peated, while Tobermory refers to the non smoky style, a fabulously fruity spirit ripe with pear, peach and apple. The 12 Year Old is one of the finest introductions to any distillery you will find on the market.
The contenders
Explore drams from all 32 whiskies that entered this year’s Whisky Championships. The battles may be over, but the tasting has just begun.
The Whisky Championships 2026 results
The Whisky Championships isn't decided by us, or some a judging panel. Nobody pays to play.
You decide it.
From the opening round to Springbank vs Bruichladdich, every result came down to your votes.
Thanks for taking part, arguing about it, backing your favourites and inevitably telling us exactly where we went wrong.
