JAPANESE whisky – and specifically that made by SUNTORY – was the big winner in this year’s World Whisky Awards organised by Whisky Magazine. The two major categories, Best Single Malt in the World and Best Blend in the World were both won by the Japanese whisky maker with Yamazaki 1984 and Hibiki 21yo respectively, the first time in the history of the competition that a single distiller has taken both of the top prizes.

A team of international judges of writers, retailers, distillers and blenders from UK, US, Canada, France, Germany and Japan tasted whiskies ‘blind’ over two rounds to first discern sub-category, then category winners.

Yamazaki 1984, for example, first had to triumph in its age category within Japanese single malts and then against all other Japanese single malt sub-category winners to become the best Japanese single malt winner.

In the final round, it was pitched against all the other single malt sub-category winners: Springbank 12yo, Auchentoshan 1998, Glenmorangie Signet, Glenfarclas 40yo, Bowmore Tempest, Highland Park 25yo, Redbreast 15yo, Bushmills 16yo and Kavalan Solist.

“Undoubtedly this was the highest quality final round we have seen yet in the WWA,” said Dave Broom, chairman of the judges. “All the whiskies there were superb examples of their region and style and to take the top prize was a major achievement. For one distiller to take both prizes is a phenomenal achievement and shows the world the quality which exists within Japanese whisky. This achievement will send a clear message around the world – Japanese whisky is a force to be reckoned with.”

In the blended malt category, Glenmorangie’s James Martin’s 30yo beat the incumbent champion Takesturu 21yo, while the best overall North American whisky was Parker’s Heritage. The top Canadian was Wiser’s Legacy and Greenore 15yo retained its title as the World’s Best grain.