The 2026 Intercontinental Spirits Challenge

Stellenbosch, South Africa – May 26, 2026 — The 2026 Intercontinental Spirits Challenge concluded successfully with its tasting hosted at the historic Lanzerac Wine Estate on May 21.

The competition continues to provide an international platform that celebrates craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence within the global spirits industry, bringing together entries from both established and emerging producers worldwide.

Internationally respected panellists evaluated the entries through blind tastings, ensuring each spirit was judged purely on quality, balance, character, and technical execution. The 2026 competition once again highlighted the growing diversity and evolving standards within the premium spirits sector.

Trophy Award Winner

The coveted Trophy Award, the competition’s highest accolade, was awarded to:

• Sydney Back 25 Year Postill

This exceptional South African brandy captivated the judges with its remarkable finesse, layered complexity, elegance, and extraordinary length on the palate, reaffirming the global stature of premium Cape Brandy.

Whisky and Whiskey

This year’s Whisky and Whiskey categories demonstrated how the landscape of world whisky continues to evolve beyond the traditional producing nations. Switzerland’s Langatun Distillery once again delivered an outstanding performance and firmly established itself as a rising force in premium whisky production. Its acclaimed expressions, Jacob’s Dram and The Organic, impressed the judges with precision, balance, and depth of character.

Another standout producer was Clyde Mill Distillery from Tasmania, Australia, whose Clyde Mill Triple Cask Single Malt Whisky earned significant praise from the panel. Together, these producers demonstrated how innovation, terroir, and craftsmanship are reshaping global perceptions of whisky and whiskey excellence.

Cognac and Cape Brandy

The Cognac and Cape Brandy category proved to be one of the highlights of the competition once again. Judges praised the exceptional quality, depth of flavour, and complexity shown throughout the category.

Cape Brandy, in particular, continued its impressive run of excellence for a fourth consecutive year. The Trophy-winning Sydney Back 25 Year Potstill stood out for its extraordinary character and refinement, while other notable performers included Tokara XO Potstill Brandy, Sydney Back 15 Year Old, and Sydney Back 10 Year Old Potstill Brandy.

Gin Category

The Gin category was once again the competition’s largest and most diverse class, reflecting the spirit’s enduring global popularity and continued innovation among producers. Entries showcased a wide range of botanical styles and interpretations, from classic London Dry expressions to more contemporary approaches.

The standout performer in this year’s category was Moustache London Dry Gin, a Swiss entry that impressed judges with its purity, balance, and technical precision. Its success further reinforced Switzerland’s growing reputation as a producer of world-class spirits across multiple categories.

A Global Benchmark for Spirits Excellence

The Intercontinental Spirits Challenge continues to strengthen its reputation as a respected international benchmark for quality in the drinks industry. By bringing together expert judges and exceptional products from around the world, the competition not only rewards excellence but also provides producers with valuable international recognition in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

The Intercontinental Spirits Challenge is proud to provide an international platform where passion, precision, and product excellence are recognised and rewarded. The 2025 results reflect an industry in dynamic evolution, where innovation meets tradition and where the best producers from around the world receive the recognition they deserve.

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Webpage: https://intchal.com/

Sydney Back 25 Year Potstill

Sydney Back 10 year old Potstilled

Sydney Back 15 year Potstill

Moustache London Dry Gin

Tokara XO Potstill Brandy

Mill Pond Raspberry Gin

Mill Pond Citrus Gin

Clyde Mill Triple Cask Single Malt Whisky

Ginologist G&T

Boschendal XO

Bitter Goed

Langatun The Organic

Langatun Jacob’s Dram

Langatun Gold Bee

Red Beard Gunners Powder