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DUBLINJune 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Donn Single Malt Whiskey by Craft Irish Whiskey has won “Gold (Outstanding)” at the 2026 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), scoring 98 points and tying for second place among over 1,300 whiskies entered globally, with only one whiskey scoring higher.
The Donn by Craft Irish Whiskey
“The Donn” is not only one of the highest-ranked Irish whiskies but also the only whiskey in its category to receive “Gold (Outstanding).”
The IWSC results continue a three-year streak of international success across North America, Asia, and Europe:
- 2024: Single Malt Whiskey of the Year – American Spirits Ratings
- 2025: Whiskey of the Year – Asian Spirits Ratings
- 2026: “Single Malt Whiskey of the Year” at the London Spirits Competition;
“Double Gold and 98 Points” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
“Spirits Outstanding Gold and 98 Points” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Jay Bradley, Founder and Master Blender of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., said: “What makes these results so remarkable is their consistency. The Donn has now earned recognition from juries in North America, Asia, and Europe. When independent panels across three continents repeatedly reach such similar conclusions under blind tasting conditions, it is the ultimate affirmation of this whiskey’s quality and stability. We are incredibly proud of what The Donn has achieved and firmly believe that this unique maturation process has only just begun to reveal its full potential.”
Aged for just 6.9 years, The Donn delivers results typically associated with much older whiskies.
Craft Irish Whiskey attributes this to a progressive cask journey rather than time spent solely in barrels. The Donn starts in ex-bourbon casks, then moves through tawny port, heavily toasted Hungarian virgin oak, and multiple styles of Pedro Ximénez sherry. Varying cask sizes and controlled bottom filling further shape the spirit, accelerating flavor integration.
IWSC judges described The Donn as opening with passionate fruit aromas of cola and spice, delivering rich notes of syrup, raspberry, and wood, with a sweet and lingering finish of apple, red velvet cake, ginger, and chocolate.
About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is redefining premium Irish whiskey: moving beyond traditional age statements to focus on flavor-driven maturation processes. The company blends traditional distilling heritage with data-driven modern techniques, focusing on cask selection, barrel size, and tailored aging to capture each whiskey’s flavor at its peak.