Scotch whiskies had a particularly strong showing at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2026, with 5 whisky bottles earning the coveted Gold Outstanding medal. The judges focussed on balance, patience and precision, rather than experimentation. From the 17-year-old Glengoyne Scottish Oak whisky to a remarkably old 35-year-old Bunnahabhain whisky, the winners span very different styles and price points. Here are 5 of the best Scotch whiskies 2026, including Glengoyne 17 Year Old Scottish Oak whisky, Deanston 17 Year Old Orange Wine Cask whisky, East Asia Whisky Company's 35 Year Old Manta Ray Genesis Bunnahabhain whisky, the GlenAllachie 18 Year Old whisky and Spiritfilled Mythical Beasts Aberlour 13 Year Old whisky at the IWSC 2026.
The Glengoyne 17 Year Old Scottish Oak whisky is one of the more unusual bottles in this year's lineup. It is the third release in Glengoyne's Oak Masters' Series and explores the use of Scottish-grown virgin oak casks. The limited-edition whisky was released in September 2026 and bottled at a substantial 51.6% ABV.
Glengoyne 17 YO Scottish Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky is priced at £180.
ABV: 51.6%
The Deanston 17 Year Old Orange Wine Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky takes a sunny detour. It spends 15 years in ex-bourbon casks before a two-year finish in Vino de Naranja casks from Spain's Andalucía region. The result is a whisky built around citrus, honey, stone fruit and warm spice. With only 7,000 bottles produced and bottled at 53.6% ABV, it is also bottled at a considerably higher strength than many standard single malts.
Deanston 17 YO Orange Wine Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky is priced at £95.
ABV: 53.6%
If age is your particular weakness, this is the whisky bottle to bookmark. The 35 Year Old Manta Ray Genesis Bunnahabhain Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky was the oldest of the five, and IWSC also awarded it the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Over 20 YO Trophy. The IWSC tasting notes highlight lemon biscuits, chamomile, tropical fruit, and a long, elegant finish, with the whisky bottled at 50.4% ABV.
East Asia Whisky Company's 35 YO Manta Ray Genesis Bunnahabhain is priced at approximately £1,164.
ABV: 50.4%
The The GlenAllachie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky represents the more classic end of this year's winners. After 18 years of maturation, the Speyside single malt delivers a rich profile of toffee, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, honeycomb and cherries.
The GlenAllachie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is priced at £150.99.
ABV: 46%
The youngest bottle on this list is also one of the most intriguing. The Spiritfilled Mythical Beasts Aberlour 13 Year Old Whisky, nicknamed 'Nyami Nyami', is an independent bottling from a single cask, finished in a PX sherry hogshead. With only 301 bottles ever produced and bottled at 58% ABV, it is unapologetically powerful, with IWSC judges describing a rich palate of cinder toffee, soft spices, and creamy vanilla. Only 301 bottles were produced.
Spiritfilled Mythical Beasts Aberlour 13 Year Old Whisky is priced at £125.
ABV: 58%
These 5 best Scotch whiskies 2026 at IWSC make one thing clear: bigger numbers do not automatically make a better whisky. A 13-year-old Aberlour can stand alongside a 35-year-old Bunnahabhain, while experimental cask finishes can work beautifully when they are handled with restraint. The common thread in these whiskies, according to the IWSC judges, is balance, letting the oak, age and experimentation. All of these factors add character to these whiskies.