This marks the fourth consecutive year Yamazaki has earned a Trophy in the Japanese Whisky category
NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Suntory Global Spirits, a world leader in premium spirits, today announced that The House of Suntory's Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 25 Years Old has been awarded a Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2026, the competition's highest honor in the Japanese Whisky category. The award marks the fourth consecutive year a Yamazaki whisky has received this accolade.
Why is Yamazaki 25 Years Old's International Spirits Challenge 2026 win significant?
- This latest achievement marks the fourth consecutive year that Yamazaki has earned the competition's honor in the Japanese Whisky category: Yamazaki 25 Years Old in 2023, Yamazaki 12 Years Old in 2024, and Yamazaki 18 Years Old in 2025.
- This achievement reinforces Yamazaki's position among the world's premier spirits and underscores Suntory Global Spirits' leadership in exceptional whisky.
- The recognition also reinforces the importance of upholding the Japanese Whisky standards set by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association, standards that help protect the authenticity, heritage and craftsmanship behind the category. As the association's logo begins to roll out across The House of Suntory's authentic Japanese Whisky products, consumers will have an easier way to identify whiskies that meet these standards.
"Yamazaki 25 Years Old was first introduced in 1999, and in 2021 we evolved the whisky to more intentionally express Tsukuriwake — the diversity of our whisky‑making — and Tsukurikomi — the refinement and mastery behind our craft." said Suntory Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo. "Seeing Yamazaki 25 Years Old receive this prestigious recognition today is profoundly meaningful for our entire team. It affirms the continuity of our craftsmanship across generations and our unwavering commitment to creating whiskies that honor Yamazaki's legacy while continuing to evolve."
What is the International Spirits Challenge and how are its awards judged?
The International Spirits Challenge is one of the industry's most prestigious competitions, judged by a panel of world-renowned experts who assess spirits for quality, balance, and character.
International Spirits Challenge judges noted: "There's a reason Yamazaki is so widely accepted as a global benchmark in quality whisky. The combination of texture and fruitiness, the multiple layers - it has everything happening within it to make me want just a little bit more."
What does Yamazaki 25 Years Old taste like?
- Color: Amber
- Nose: Mizunara smoky notes of incense, followed by a complex bouquet of mature kaki persimmon and ume plum notes.
- Palate: A smoky first sip of Mizunara sandalwood notes that open and deepen into complex layers of kaki persimmon subtle sweetness, tart ume plum notes and gentle shoga ginger spicy notes.
- Finish: Profound long finish with Mizunara smokiness and lingering subtly sweet wood notes that remain.
What other notable awards did The House of Suntory win?
- In addition to this top accolade, Hakushu 18 Years Old Peated Malt and Hakushu 25 Years Old each earned Double Gold medals, further underscoring the exceptional quality and strength of The House of Suntory portfolio.
- Suntory Spirits also earned recognition as Producer of the Year in the Japanese Whisky category for the seventh consecutive year.
- All other awards can be seen below:
Trophy
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 25 Years Old
Double Gold
- The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Peated Malt 18 Years Old
- The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 25 Years Old
Gold
- Suntory Whisky Ao Irish Edition
- Suntory Whisky Hibiki Suntory Whisky 100 years Anniversary Blend
- Suntory Whisky Toki
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Japan Edition
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Story Of The Distillery 2025
- The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 12 Years Old
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 12 Years Old
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 18 Years Old
- The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 18 Years Old
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask 18 Years Old
- Suntory Whisky Kakubin
- Suntory Whisky Hibiki 12years Old
- Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21years Old
- Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30years Old
- The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Peated Malt Spanish Oak
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Smoky Batch The Fourth
- The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky
- The Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask 25 Years Old
Suntory is renowned as the founding house of Japanese Whisky, beginning with Shinjiro Torii's creation of Japan's first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki in 1923 and carried forward by his son, Keizo Saji, founder of the Hakushu and Chita Distillery. As the generations of Suntory's master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation.
Today, the House of Suntory continues to craft award-winning spirits, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Chita®, Kakubin®, Hibiki®, and Suntory Whisky Toki™. All 100% distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan, in full compliance with the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) standards. The House of Suntory also includes Roku™ Japanese Gin, Haku™ Japanese Vodka, and Kanáde Japanese Liqueur, reflecting the same dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and innovation that have defined Suntory for over a century.
In 2025, Yamazaki® made history at the International Spirits Challenge as the first brand to win Supreme Champion Spirit three years in a row, and in 2024, Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was named Master Blender of the Year. Furthering this legacy of excellence, the Osaka Spirits & Liqueurs Craft Distillery, home to Roku Gin, Haku Vodka and Kanáde Japanese Liqueur was awarded the 2025 Liqueur Producer Trophy by the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). The House of Suntory will open the Osaka Craft Distillery to the public for the first time in 2026.
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium American whiskeys, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki® and Hibiki®; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequilas and Roku® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Bartender Created Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society, and aims to have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com and www.drinksmart.com.
CONTACT: Rileigh Hallberg, Articulate
suntory@toarticulate.com
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