World Whisky Awards
Waiheke Whisky Wins Best of Category at 2025 World Whisky Awards
WAIHEKE ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND — Waiheke Whisky has achieved international recognition at the prestigious 2025 World Whisky Awards in London, with its DYAD Peat + Port expression named Category Winner for Small Batch Single Malt (12 years & under). The distillery's success extended beyond this top honor, with both its entered expressions—DYAD Peat + Port and Cantankerous—receiving Gold medals in their respective categories.
"This recognition from the World Whisky Awards is not just a triumph for our distillery, but a testament to the exceptional quality of New Zealand's ingredients and the unique terroir of Waiheke Island," said Head Distiller Patrick Newton."Our climate, with its maritime influence and distinct seasonal variations, combined with locally-sourced ingredients, creates a whisky that truly captures the essence of this special place. This international acclaim validates what we've always believed - that Waiheke can produce world-class single malt whiskies that stand alongside the best."
The World Whisky Awards are among the most respected competitions in the global spirits industry, with entries judged by an international panel of renowned experts. This recognition places Waiheke Whisky among the world's leading craft distilleries and highlights NewZealand's growing presence in the international whisky scene."This global recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Waiheke Whisky," said Founder Dr Mark Izzard.
"With our new expanded distillery operations, we're not just crafting award-winning whisky – we're laying the foundation to establish ourselves as a significant player in the international whisky scene. Our commitment to excellence, combined with this increased production capacity, puts us on a clear path to becoming a world-renowned brand. These awards validate our vision and suggest that Waiheke Whisky is well on its way to becoming a favourite among discerning whisky enthusiasts globally."