International London Spirits Competition winners revealed
The results of the 2025 International London Spirits Competition have been revealed as W.L. leads the pack.
Weller Antique 107 from Sazerac, which claimed Spirit of the Year, Whiskey of the Year, and Best Spirit by Quality – a standout achievement in one of the world’s most competitive spirits arenas.
Now in its eighth edition, the London Spirits Competition continues to raise the bar, evaluating entries not just on taste, but on their value for money and packaging appeal which is an approach designed to highlight the bottles that truly resonate with today’s consumers and trade professionals.
This year’s judging brought together over 70 industry experts, including Master Distillers, Master Blenders, Mixologists, and elite buyers.
The panel featured names like Dr. Emma Walker, Andrew de Lavis-Trafford, Oscar Angeloni, Allan Anderson, Cristiana Pirinu, Claudia Carrozzi, Nick Larsson-Bell, Craig Wallace, Billy Leighton, and Laura Willoughby MBE, lending credibility and insight to the process.
These judges brought a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each entry.
Nelsen Reis, judge of Speciality Drinks Group, said: “One major improvement this year was the calibre of entries and the increased presence of brand owners and professionals from all corners of the industry.”
2025 London Spirits Competition judges
The judging panel included some of the UK’s most respected voices in spirits, hospitality, and the drinks trade. judges included:
- Andrew de Lavis-Trafford – head of Buying Spirits, Beers & Softs at Enotria Winecellars Ltd, UK
- Andy Loudon – director of Bars at Scarfes Bar, Rosewood London
- Giannis Apostolopoulos – head of Bars for Amazónico Restaurants, UK
- Claudia Carrozzi – head of Beverage at Cunard and UKBG President
- Oscar Angeloni – bar manager at The Connaught
- Marcello Cauda – bar manager at The Berkeley Hotel, Maybourne Group, London
- Nick Larsson-Bell – senior spirits and beer buyer at Harvey Nichols
- Michele Lombardi – head mixologist at Four Seasons Park Lane
- Cristiana Pirinu – assistant director of Mixology at The Donovan Bar
- Emma Walker – master blender at Johnnie Walker
- Craig Wallace – Whisky creation leader and master blender at Diageo
- Laura Willoughby MBE – Low and No Alcoholic Drinks buyer, founder of Club Soda, The Mindful Drinking Movement
The full list of judges can be found here.
These judges brought a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each entry.
The competition once again attracted strong international representation from across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, including award-winning gins from India, premium whiskies from Ireland and Japan, and vibrant craft spirits from Australia and the UK.
Spirits from more than 30 countries were entered, with the United Kingdom (13.7%), Australia (12.9%), and Italy/USA (each 7.1%) leading in submissions.
The winners of the International London Spirits competition have been revealed as W.L. leads the pack.
Gin topped the charts as the most-entered category (28.2%), followed by Whisky, Liqueurs, and Rum.
Notable 2025 Award Winners Include
- Gin of the Year: Ramsbury Gin – UK
- Vodka of the Year: Xaoma Gold – Kazakhstan
- Rum of the Year: Havana Club Gran Reserva 15 Años – Cuba
- Liqueur of the Year: Kaiho Ruby Organic Blackcurrant Liqueur – Finland
- Tequila of the Year: Gran Orendain Reposado – Mexico
- Single Malt Whiskey of the Year: Pedro Ximenez – Australia
- Flavoured Spirit of the Year: Tanqueray Bossa Nova – UK
- Best Spirit by Package: Chateau Koya Brandy XO 15 Years Old – China
- Best Spirit by Value: K-vant – Tanzania
Among producers, Sazerac stood out as a multiple-award winner with accolades spanning several whiskey subcategories, while Douglas Laing & Co. was named whisky producer of the year. De Kuyper, Turku Distillery, and Pernod Ricard also saw major category wins.
Commenting on the results, London Competitions CEO Sid Patel said: “At the London Spirits Competition, a winning spirit must excel in quality, offer outstanding value for money, and be packaged in a way that truly connects with today’s consumer.
“What makes this competition unique is that all products are judged by the highest level of trade professionals—bartenders, bar managers, and buyers—who understand what sells and what delights customers.
“Our winners represent the very best of the global spirits industry.”
