Exceptional Spirits Shine at the

2025 Intercontinental Spirits Challenge

Kortrijk, Belgium – July 8, 2025 — The 2025 Intercontinental Spirits Challenge concluded with its final tasting held in Kortrijk, Belgium, on June 23, rounding off a prestigious series of evaluations. This global platform continues to honour the craftsmanship, innovation, and diversity within the spirits industry, offering a unique stage for producers to benchmark their products against the best from around the world.

The coveted Trophy Award, went to two standout products, the highest honour of the competition: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey – A whiskey of profound depth, elegance, and character and Tokara XO Potstill Brandy – With remarkable finesse and complexity, this South African brandy reaffirmed its excellence, having also impressed in the Africa tasting.

Whisky and Whiskey: In a surprising twist that defied traditional expectations, it was Switzerland’s Langatun Distillery—not a storied Scottish, Canadian, or Japanese name—that stole the whisky spotlight at this year’s Intercontinental Spirits Challenge. With an impressive haul that included a coveted Double Gold Award for their Old Wolf Whisky and three Gold Awards, it firmly established itself as a rising force in the world of Whisky. On the Whiskey side, the standout producer was Tennessee-based Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, whose bold and flavourful expressions earned them the title of top whiskey producer with one Trophy (Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey) and three Gold Awards. The showing from these two producers speaks to the shifting global landscape of Whisky and whiskey, where innovation and quality are thriving well beyond the historic heartlands.

Cognac and Cape Brandy Category: This category showcased some of the finest spirits and was a highlight of the event. These spirits’ depth of flavour, complexity, and unparalleled quality enthralled the judges. Cape Brandy was one of the highlights for a third year in a row. The Tokara XO Potstill Brandy, with its exceptional complexity, remarkable character, and finesse, stood out and earned a Trophy Award. Other notable entries, including Boschendal XO and Sydney Back 15 Year Old, also left a lasting impression, further underscoring the prestige and significance of the Intercontinental Spirits Challenge.

The rum category emerged as the second largest in this year’s Africa tasting, reflecting its growing popularity and dynamic evolution on the African continent. As global interest in premium and super-premium rums continues to rise—fuelled by the growth of cocktail culture and a shift in consumer preference toward higher-quality, artisanal products—Southern Africa and Mauritius are proving to be an exciting frontier for rum innovation. Judge Johan Venter remarked, “Overall quality is good, with no faulty products,” underscoring the consistency and craftsmanship evident across this year’s entries.

The largest and most diverse Gin category was a true reflection of the dynamic and evolving spirits industry. It underscored the widespread popularity and global appeal of this beloved spirit. The standout performers, Freedom Rebels Gin, a German entrant, and Ginologist London Dry Gin, secured Double Gold Awards, a testament to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. These gins, each with unique flavour profiles and innovative approaches, not only delighted the judges but also celebrated the spirit of exploration and creativity in the spirits industry.

Traditionally celebrated for its neutrality, Vodka may seem a subtle contender in the world of spirits, but this year’s entries proved otherwise. Producers submitted vodkas crafted from an impressive range of base ingredients—potatoes, rye, barley, wheat, corn, and multi-grains—each bringing its nuance to the final product. Even flavoured vodkas made a strong showing, challenging the notion that Vodka is characterless. Yet it was a classic expression that stole the spotlight: Arktika Classic Vodka from the Edgemill Group. With its remarkable purity, balance, and smooth finish, Arktika Classic Vodka captured the judges’ attention. It secured a Double Gold Award, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the category.

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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Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Tokara XO Potstill Brandy

Arktika Classic Vodka
Boschendal XO Brandy
Freedom Rebels Gin
Ginologist London Dry Gin
Langatun Old Wolf Whisky
Sydney Back 15 Year Brandy

Bossieveld Mystique Craft Gin

Das Ginwerk Double Distilled London Dry

Hériose Single Malt Whisky

Joseph Barry Muscat Brandy

Joseph Barry XO Brandy

Langatun Cask Proof Distillery Edition Whisky

Langatun Old Crow Whisky

Langatun Old Deer Whisky

Matraz Gin

Sydney Back 10 Year Old Brandy

Joseph Barry XO Brandy

Red Moon Distillery Armagnac

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey

Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 Whiskey

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 Whiskey