Yamazaki 18 Wins Supreme Champion Spirit at 2025 International Spirits Challenge

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The House of Suntory’s Yamazaki 18 Year Old has been crowned Supreme Champion Spirit at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in London. This prestigious honor marks Yamazaki’s third consecutive win, following Yamazaki 25 in 2023 and Yamazaki 12 in 2024. It’s the first time in ISC history that the same brand has won the competition’s highest honor three years in a row

Yamazaki 18: Supreme Champion Spirit 2025

Judged by a panel of world-renowned experts, the ISC praised Yamazaki 18 Year Old as “an absolutely superb whisky,” citing its remarkable balance of smoothness and intensity. Judges described it as “wonderfully well-aged, perfectly rounded, and a really lovely whisky.”

Suntory’s Continued Excellence in Japanese Whisky

Beyond Yamazaki’s win, Suntory Global Spirits earned Producer of the Year in Japanese Whisky for the sixth consecutive year. This recognition reaffirms Suntory’s leadership and commitment to Japanese whisky craftsmanship.

Other Suntory Awards at ISC 2025

  • Trophy Winners: Yamazaki 18, Suntory Blended Japanese Whisky (Imaemon XIV collaboration), Roku Gin 47%
  • Double Gold: Hibiki 30, Hakushu 25
  • Gold: Hibiki 21, Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Hakushu 12, Hakushu 18, Yamazaki Mizunara 18 & 25, and more

Commitment to Craft and Innovation

Masaki “Mory” Morimoto, President of The House of Suntory, emphasized the brand’s dedication to kaizen — continuous improvement — and to honoring Japanese whisky traditions. This aligns with new Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) standards for authentic labeling, further strengthening the global reputation of Japanese whisky.

Conclusion

For whisky enthusiasts, Yamazaki’s triple crown at the International Spirits Challenge 2025 cements its status as one of the world’s premier single malts. With its rich history, dedication to craftsmanship, and continued innovation, Yamazaki 18 Year Old is a bottle that represents the pinnacle of Japanese whisky.

Explore more about The House of Suntory

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