From baijiu to bourbon, the newly-rebranded Asia World Spirits Competition is uncorking the best bottles from across Asia, Australasia, and beyond — offering a definitive snapshot of a region rapidly redefining the global spirits landscape.
Asia has landed.
The Tasting Alliance — the parent company of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), the San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC), and the New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC) — will be releasing the results of the Asia World Spirits Competition this week.
And we have exclusive first dibs.
Once known as the Singapore World Spirits Competition first introduced back in 2019, the competition has undergone a strategic transformation both in name and scope to reflect the growing breadth, depth, and ambition of the drinks industry across Asia and Australasia. The rebrand has brought with it expanded categories, designed to capture the diversity of production and shifting consumption patterns in the region. Alongside established fields such as gin, rum and agave spirits, this year the revamped competition introduces dedicated awards for categories such as Chinese baijiu and Australian whisky.
With Asia now both a major consumer market and a rising production powerhouse, the Asia World Spirits Competition’s expanded remit feels like a timely recognition of the region’s growing role on the world stage. The results of Asia World Spirits Competition 2025 isn’t just a roll call of winners; this is a snapshot of a region that’s fast becoming one of the most exciting places in the world for spirits innovation.
Over 300 entries were received in total this year; bourbon, baijiu, and gin led the competition with the most number of entries. Judging remains rigorous, with a panel made up of internationally respected spirits professionals — bartenders, buyers, journalists, and educators — who blind-taste each entry for quality, balance, and character. This year’s panel includes Aki Eguchi, the Bar Programme Director at Jigger & Pony Group (which operates award-winning cocktail bars Singapore’s Jigger & Pony and Cosmo Pony in Jakarta); Andrew Pang, Senior Brand Advocacy Specialist from Suntory Global Spirits in Southeast Asia; Yi Xian Kwek, co-owner of specialist whisky bar The Single Cask Singapore; and Benson Tong, Moutai brand ambassador and sommelier.
Winners not only gain the weight of The Tasting Alliance’s global seal of approval, but also the kind of market visibility that can transform a small-batch producer into an international name, or further reinforce the brand of an established one.
And with that, here are the Best of Class winners.
Asia World Spirits Competition 2025: Results
Best of Class Vodka
Pluto Vodka, Fleurieu Peninsula, Australia [40% ABV]
Best of Class Gin
Tanqueray No. TEN Gin, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom [47.3% ABV]
Best of Class Flavoured Gin
Billy Stitch Distillery Tuckshop Gin, Western Australia, Australia [50% ABV]
Best of Class Barrel-Aged Gin
Billy Stitch Distillery Aged Dry Gin, Western Australia, Australia [50% ABV]
Best of Class Blanco Tequila
Tequila El Mexicano Blanco 90, Arandas, Mexico [45% ABV]
Best of Class Reposado Tequila
Siete Leguas Reposado Tequila, Mexico [40% ABV]
Best of Class Baijiu
Yancui Yayan (宴粹雅宴), Kweichow Moutai Town, China [53% ABV]
Best of Class Straight Bourbon
1792 Aged 12 Years Straight Bourbon, USA [48.3% ABV]
Best of Class Australian Whisky
Callington Mill Distillery El Sol Single Malt Whisky, Tasmania, Australia [46% ABV]
Best of Class Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Redbreast 27 Year Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Midleton County Cork, Ireland [55% ABV]
Best of Class Rye Whiskey
Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey, USA [45% ABV]
Best of Class Cognac
Rémy Martin Cognac XO, Cognac, France [40% ABV]
The results of the Asia World Spirits Competition 2025 are revealing.
Tanqueray No. TEN, Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye, Rémy Martin Cognac XO — and that excellent Redbreast 27 Year Old! — beat out other entries in their respective categories to show that quality and consistency are evident and continue to matter.
But Asian and Australasian spirits are also starting to make inroads — Perth, Western Australia-based Billy Stitch Distillery stole the show with wins in both Best of Class Flavoured Gin and Best of Class Barrel-Aged Gin categories, beating out more established players from traditional gin producing markets to mark the ambitions of Australia’s surging craft gin scene.
“This year, we introduce the Asia World Spirits Competition to celebrate the incredible talent shaping this extremely important region for our industry. It’s undeniable that Asia is a a pioneer in consumption and creation and that its reach will effect the beverage landscape as a whole,” President of The Tasting Alliance, Amanda Blue, tells Spirited Asia.
“The results highlight not only the outstanding spirits made in Asia, but also the growing excitement for emerging categories. Our amazing judges span from Singapore to China spotlighting the incredible talent also driving Asia,” added Maddee McDowell, Executive Vice President of The Tasting Alliance.
The evolution of Asia World Spirits Competition into a truly global competition comes at a time when Asia’s influence on global drinking culture has never been stronger. Japan’s booming whisky industry? Australia’s ascendant craft gin scene? Or Southeast Asia’s inventive rum and cane-juice distillers making international waves?
Watch this space.
For the full list of Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in the Asia World Spirits Competition 2025, visit: thetastingalliance.com/events/asia-world-spirits-competition.
*Disclosure: The writer is a member of the judging panel.
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