After tasting more than 200 different whiskies in 2025, I’ve narrowed the list down to the ten absolute best. These aren’t necessarily the rarest, the most hyped, or even the most expensive whiskies I tried this year — although a few of them certainly tick those boxes. Instead, this list reflects the whiskies that genuinely stood out for balance, complexity, character, and overall drinking experience.
I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to tracking my tastings. Every whisky I try goes into a spreadsheet, complete with specs, cask details, ABV, and my personal score. That means that at the end of the year I can strip away the noise and see, very clearly, which whiskies actually performed the best across the entire year.
How This List Works
Rather than ranking everything in a strict 1–10 order, I’ve grouped these whiskies based on scoring tiers. In several cases, multiple whiskies landed on exactly the same score, which speaks to just how close the competition was this year.
Tied for Third Place – Five Outstanding Whiskies
Hellyers Road Distillery – 21 Year Old Peated Cask Finish
At the time of tasting, this was one of the oldest Australian whiskies I’d ever tried. The level of harmony and complexity here was exceptional — the kind of balance that only comes with long, patient ageing.
It showcased just how beautifully Australian whisky can mature when given enough time, even with our significantly higher angel’s share.
Hellyers Road Distillery – 22 Year Old American Oak
Equally impressive was the 22 Year Old American Oak release. Elegant, layered, and deeply expressive of both spirit and cask, this whisky reinforced why Hellyers Road continues to earn international acclaim. Both of these whiskies have picked up multiple awards, and rightly so.
It’s important to note that whiskies of this age in Australia come at a premium. After more than 20 years in the Australian climate, there’s simply far less liquid left in the barrel compared to Scotland — which inevitably drives the price north of the $1,000 mark.
Celebration of the Cask – Strathmill 24 Year Old (1994)
This independent bottling from Strathmill Distillery in Speyside was aged in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at cask strength. While the name celebrates the cask, this whisky felt more like a celebration of the grain itself — with bold, expressive malt character taking centre stage.
Independent bottlers often produce some of the most compelling whiskies on the market, because their reputation rests on every single release. This was a perfect example of why they’re often worth seeking out.
Signatory Vintage – Caledonian 35 Year Old (1987)
A single grain whisky from the now-closed Caledonian Distillery in the Lowlands, bottled at cask strength (54.9%). Grain whiskies often need serious age to shine, and this one delivered in spades. Delicate yet deep on the nose, rich and smooth on the palate, with an impressively long finish.
If you’ve ever written off single grain whisky based on a younger example, this is exactly the kind of bottle that can change your mind.
Laizhou Distillery – Peated Single Malt (China)
This non-age-statement peated single malt from China genuinely surprised me. Bottled at 50%, it far exceeded expectations, delivering harmony, balance, and confident peat integration.
Every whisky I’ve tried from Laizhou Distillery has shown remarkable quality, and increased global distribution means it’s worth keeping an eye out for these.
Second Place – Two Exceptional Releases
Loaded Barrel Distillery – Small Batch, Single Origin Malted Barley (Shiraz Cask)
This Victorian single malt, aged in Fig Tree Studios Shiraz barrels and bottled at 47%, was a standout example of how well Australian whisky ages in shiraz casks. The nose evoked musty winery aromas and old barrels, while the palate delivered silky texture, bread, honey, raisin sweetness, and a lingering Shiraz bite on the finish.
Loaded Barrel continues to impress with thoughtful grain and cask combinations, and this release was one of their best yet.
Hillwood Distillery – Bourbon Cask (Single Cask)
My first whisky from Hillwood Distillery, and a fantastic introduction. Bottled at 59%, this Tasmanian single malt showed spiced oak, honey and toffee apple on the nose, followed by vanilla, sweet butter, and a nutty caramel finish.
All of this distillery’s releases are extremely small batches — often just 30–40 bottles — this was a whisky that left a strong impression.
Joint First Place – The Highest Scoring Whiskies of 2025
Callington Mill – Heritage Series “Supreme Court”
A peated Tasmanian single malt, aged in Pedro Ximénez and French oak casks, and bottled at a formidable 64.5%.
Despite the high ABV and peat, this whisky was remarkably approachable — thick, oily, sweet, and beautifully balanced. Campfire-style smoke, deep sweetness, and a long finish with a subtle minty lift made this one unforgettable.
Morris of Rutherglen – Single Barrel: Durif Cask
While Morris is best known for fortified wines, their first single cask whisky release was nothing short of outstanding. Distilled in 2018 and bottled in 2025 at 58.5%, this single malt was aged in a single fortified wine barrel.
Earthy aromas, dark chocolate, and old wood led into a rich, oily palate of biscuits and cocoa, before evolving into vanilla and dried fruit on the finish. Unsurprisingly, this release sold out in under two weeks.
Stillmaker & Sons – Third Release (Dry Apera Casks)
The final whisky in my top tier was the third release from Stillmaker & Sons Distillery, aged for six years in dry Apera casks and bottled at 57%. Notes of vanilla custard, biscuit malt, and Christmas cake came together in a beautifully balanced whisky.
Stillmaker & Sons have taken a patient approach, committing to releasing nothing younger than six years — a significant decision in the Australian climate. Having tasted unreleased cask samples from the distillery as well, there’s some very exciting whisky still to come.
Final Thoughts
Many of the whiskies on this list were only available thanks to shared samples — a reminder of how valuable the whisky community can be. Sharing drams is often the best way to experience rare, limited, and high-end releases without having to chase every bottle yourself.
While this list leans heavily towards limited releases and premium bottlings, I’ll be following it up with a Top 5 Core Range Whiskies list — whiskies that are more affordable, widely available, and easy to track down internationally.