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HOME> Whisky knowledge> Whisky basic knowledge> Top 20 Globally Acclaimed Whiskies! Plus, a look at the best-selling rankings!Top 20 Globally Acclaimed Whiskies! Plus, a look at the best-selling rankings!
2025.06.12 / Last updated: 2025.06.12
There are surely people who want to know how whisky enthusiasts around the world, not just in Japan, rate different whiskies, or how highly Japanese whisky is regarded internationally.
You might think that high ratings correlate with sales volume or revenue, but considering the current structure of the global whisky market, that may not be an accurate assumption.
The UK beverage industry magazine 'Drinks International' publishes a ranking of the world's most admired whisky brands, known as the 'Most Admired Whiskies.'
In this article, we introduce the Top 20 globally acclaimed whiskies, based on evaluations rather than sales rankings.
Key Points of this Article:
- Explaining Why Whisky Sales Do Not Directly Reflect Global Acclaim
- Introducing the Globally Acclaimed Whisky Rankings
table of contents
- Why Global Whisky Sales Rankings Do Not Directly Reflect Acclaim
- Top 20 Globally Acclaimed Whisky Rankings
- 1st Place: Mixters
- 2nd place: Yamazaki
- 3rd place: Ichiro's Malt
- No. 4: Spring Bank
- 5th place: Johnnie Walker
- 6th Place: Woodford Reserve
- No. 7: Hibiki
- No. 8: Balvenie
- No. 9: Uncle Nearest
- No. 10: Brooke Ruddy
- No. 11: Compass Box
- No. 12: Ardbeg
- No. 13: Red Breast
- No. 14: Hakushu
- No. 15: Glendronach
- 16th place: Lagavulin
- No. 17: Highland Park
- No. 18: Talisker
- No. 19: Aberfeldy
- 20th Place: From the Barrel
- At Last
Why Global Whisky Sales Rankings Do Not Directly Reflect Acclaim
Below is a summary of the global whisky sales rankings.
| Rank | Whiskey name | Category |
| 1 | McDowell’s | Indian |
| 2 | Officer’s Choice | Indian |
| 3 | Imperial Blue | Indian |
| 4 | Royal Stag | Indian |
| 5 | Johnnie Walker | Scotch |
| 6 | Jack daniels | American |
| 7 | Original Choice | Indian |
| 8 | Golden Oak | Indian |
| 9 | Jim Beam | American |
| 10 | Haywards Fine | Indian |
| 11 | Jameson | Irish |
| 12 | Crown Royal | Canadian |
| 13 | Ballantine’s | Scotch |
| 14 | Blenders Pride | Indian |
| 15 | Bagpiper | Indian |
| 16 | Royal Challenge | Indian |
| 17 | Old Tavern | Indian |
| 18 | Suntory Kakubin | Japanese |
| 19 | Chivas Regal | Scotch |
| 20 | Director’s Special | Indian |
If you look at the categories, you'll notice that the majority are not among the world's five major whiskies, but are Indian whiskies.
The reason is that India has a population of over 1.4 billion, resulting in a huge volume of whisky being consumed domestically.
Additionally, Indian whisky differs from typical whisky in that it is not barrel-aged, making mass production possible.
Indian whisky is banned from being exported to the EU, so in reality, most of it is consumed domestically.
As a result, the global whisky sales rankings are dominated by Indian whiskies that are believed to be consumed almost exclusively within the country.
Since more than half of the top 20 are Indian whiskies, the above rankings are not a reliable reference for evaluating typical barrel-aged whiskies.
If you believe that high-selling whiskies are also the most highly rated, then Indian whiskies—which most people in Japan have never tried—would be considered the best.
For more details on whisky consumption, please refer to the article below.
Which Whisky Brand Has the Highest Consumption in the World?
Top 20 Globally Acclaimed Whisky Rankings
Here, we introduce the Top 20 whisky brands ranked as the 'Most Admired Whiskies' by 'Drinks International,' which lists the world's most highly praised whisky brands.
| Rank | Whiskey name | Category |
| 1 | Mixters | American |
| 2 | Yamazaki | Japanese |
| 3 | Ichiro's Malt | Japanese |
| 4 | Springbank | Scotch |
| 5 | Johnnie Walker | Scotch |
| 6 | Woodford Reserve | American |
| 7 | Hibiki | Japanese |
| 8 | Balvenie | Scotch |
| 9 | Uncle Neighbor | American |
| 10 | Bruichladdich | Scotch |
| 11 | Compass Box | Scotch |
| 12 | Ardbeg | Scotch |
| 13 | Redbreast | Irish |
| 14 | Hakushu | Japanese |
| 15 | Glendronach | Scotch |
| 16 | Lagavulin | Scotch |
| 17 | Highland park | Scotch |
| 18 | Talisker | Scotch |
| 19 | Aberfeldy | Scotch |
| 20 | From the Barrel | Japanese |
Cited from: Drinks International
Let's take a closer look at each of the brands that made the ranking.
1st Place: Mixters
Image source: https://whisk-e.co.jp/products/michtersus1bourbon/
Michter's is an American whisky produced at the Michter's Distillery near Louisville, Kentucky.
Its roots trace back to the brand of America's first whisky company, founded in Pennsylvania in the mid-18th century.
Today, the brand has been revived and is now based in Kentucky.
A distinctive feature is the wide lineup, including bourbon, rye, and sour mash blends of the two.
A representative label is "Michter's US★1 Bourbon Whiskey," which was ranked as the world's most admired whisky brand.
Types and tastes of Mixters, and recommended ways to drink them
2nd place: Yamazaki
Image source: https://products.suntory.co.jp/d/4901777188914/
Yamazaki is a flagship Japanese whisky produced at the Yamazaki Distillery, located on the border between Kyoto and Osaka.
This distillery laid the foundation for Japanese whisky and is renowned for utilizing the region's pristine spring water and unique climate in its production.
Although it is a single malt, it achieves a complex flavor by using base whiskies matured in a variety of casks, including American oak, sherry, and Mizunara casks.
The distinctive woody aroma reminiscent of fragrant wood from Mizunara casks, along with its elegant and mellow complexity, has been highly acclaimed worldwide, earning Japanese whisky second place.
In addition to age-statement options such as 12, 18, and 25 years, they also offer more accessible NV (non-vintage) products.
Yamazaki is a world-class whisky! What are its flavor characteristics and the best ways to enjoy it?
3rd place: Ichiro's Malt
Image Credit: Amazon.co.jp
Ichiro's Malt is a blended whisky primarily produced at the Chichibu Distillery in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, and sometimes incorporates base spirits from other distilleries.
Founded in 2008, it is widely recognized worldwide as a newly established craft distillery in Japan after a long interval.
Even as a blended whisky, its carefully selected and matured components create a complexity that goes beyond the boundaries of a single distillery, earning high praise.
Produced in small batches and often released as limited editions, this label is highly regarded among whisky enthusiasts worldwide.
A representative label is "Ichiro's Malt White Label." The complete set of 54 Ichiro's Malt Card Series bottles is a highly sought-after limited edition among collectors, once auctioned for around 100 million yen.
No. 4: Spring Bank
Image source: https://whisk-e.co.jp/products/springbank10yo/
Springbank is a Scotch whisky produced in small batches using traditional methods at the Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown.
Campbeltown, once known as the whisky capital and home to many distilleries, is now a historic region with only a few remaining distilleries.
A distinctive feature is the use of floor malting to dry malt in-house, as well as carrying out everything from distillation to bottling in their own unique style.
It is known for its vibrant aroma, often called the "perfume of malt," with nuances of sea breeze and a hint of salinity.
Springbank's single malts are released in various ages, and the lineup is broad, including the heavily peated Longrow and the unpeated Hazelburn.
What are the characteristics of Springbank? Its varieties, flavors, and recommended ways to enjoy it
5th place: Johnnie Walker
Image source: https://www.johnniewalker.com/ja-jp/our-whisky/core-range/johnnie-walker-red-label/
Johnnie Walker is the best-selling Scotch whisky, blended from base spirits sourced from multiple distilleries across Scotland.
It is marketed by Diageo, one of the world's leading beverage companies, and is widely distributed as a global brand in many countries.
It is skillfully crafted by blending malt whiskies from Speyside, Islay, Highland, and Lowland regions with grain whisky.
It features a subtle smokiness characteristic of Scotch, with the well-balanced flavor typical of blended whiskies.
In Japan, "Johnnie Walker Red Label," affectionately known as "Joni Aka," and "Johnnie Walker Black Label," known as "Joni Kuro," are at the core of a wide range of products.
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¥1,149 (As of 2025/07/08 15:19:44, according to Rakuten Ichiba-Details)
What is Johnnie Walker? Types, flavors, and recommended ways to enjoy it
6th Place: Woodford Reserve
Image source: https://www.bar-times.com/contents/98702/
Woodford Reserve is an American whiskey produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery near Bardstown, Kentucky.
It is produced in limited batches, combining both pot still and column still distillation methods.
We are dedicated to unique flavor design, analyzing over 200 flavor elements using a flavor wheel.
This whisky is known for its elegant and smooth mouthfeel, making it popular not only for drinking straight but also as an ingredient in cocktails.
It is used as the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and is a highly recognized brand.
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¥3,960 (As of 2025/07/08 15:21:50, according to Rakuten Ichiba-Details)
Types of Woodford Reserve, their tastes, and recommended ways to drink them
No. 7: Hibiki
Image source: https://products.suntory.co.jp/d/4901777270688/
Hibiki is a Japanese blended whisky produced by Suntory, ranking highly alongside Yamazaki.
It is a premium blended whisky made by blending malt whiskies from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, aiming for delicacy and a multi-layered flavor profile.
Special attention is given to the bottle design, with the 24-faceted bottle representing the 24 seasonal divisions, which is one of Hibiki's unique charms.
The blend of multiple whiskies creates a delicate yet vibrant flavor profile, with the different whiskies harmonizing gently together.
The flagship product is 'Hibiki Japanese Harmony,' and a notable feature is the availability of several products, including bottles with age statements.
No. 8: Balvenie
Image source: https://www.suntory.co.jp/whisky/balvenie/product/#double_wood
Balvenie is a Scotch whisky produced at the Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown, Speyside.
They strive to handle as much of the whisky production process in-house as possible, including barley cultivation, floor malting, malt drying, and barrel storage.
Another characteristic is the finishing process using a variety of maturation casks, such as sherry casks, port wine casks, and rum casks.
It features the fruity elegance typical of Speyside, along with notes of vanilla, a mellow mouthfeel, and a rich flavor reminiscent of honey and caramel.
A representative expression is the Balvenie 12 Year DoubleWood, which is matured first in bourbon casks and then in sherry casks; other offerings in the lineup also focus on cask maturation themes.
What is The Balvenie? Types, Flavor Profiles, and Recommended Ways to Enjoy
No. 9: Uncle Nearest
Image source: https://unclenearest.jp/premium-aged-whiskey/
Uncle Nearest is an American whiskey produced at the Nearest Green Distillery in Tennessee.
The brand name is said to be derived from Mr. Nearest, a pioneering African American figure in whiskey.
While respecting the traditional methods of Tennessee whiskey, it is growing as a craft brand that has been attracting attention in recent years.
While Jack Daniel's is the most famous Tennessee whiskey, this whiskey also features a warm finish with maple syrup-like sweetness and oak spice.
The flagship product is 'Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey,' notable for being carefully crafted in small batches.
Types and Flavors of Uncle Nearest, and Recommended Ways to Enjoy It
No. 10: Brooke Ruddy
Image source: https://www.askul.co.jp/p/RK00297/
Bruichladdich is a distillery on the Isle of Islay, Scotland, offering several Scotch whisky brands.
While capturing the sea breeze characteristic of Islay, they intentionally produce whiskies with vibrant aromas and restrained peat.
However, they have also begun offering heavily peated whiskies such as Port Charlotte and Octomore.
Their approach to bottling that reflects the maritime terroir and their commitment to environmental considerations, such as using organic barley, have become topics of interest among whisky enthusiasts.
The flagship product is 'The Classic Laddie,' a rare non-peated single malt whisky from Islay.
What is Bruichladdich? Types, flavors, and recommended ways to enjoy it
No. 11: Compass Box
Image source: https://www.compassboxwhisky.com/whiskies/orchard-house
Compass Box is an independent bottler based in Scotland and does not own its own distillery.
Their distinctive feature is sourcing whiskies from multiple distilleries to create their own original brands.
Placing a strong emphasis on transparency, they disclose as much information as possible about the composition of their base whiskies and the casks used for maturation, and actively release new products.
This is a brand that has earned the support of whisky enthusiasts with its innovative and high-quality blends.
They offer a wide range of bottles, including Orchard House, Spice Tree, and Peat Monster.
Types and Flavors of “Compass Box” and Recommendations for Drinking
No. 12: Ardbeg
Image source: https://www.ardbegjapan.com/products/
Ardbeg is a Scotch whisky known as a single malt boasting one of the most intense peaty profiles on Islay.
It is characterized by an exceptionally high peat content, with a style that strongly emphasizes peat smoke, iodine notes, and a briny sea breeze.
Its distinctive character tends to divide opinions, and Ardbeg's passionate fans are known as 'Ardbeggians.'
While intense peat smoke is at the core, its appeal lies in a complex flavor profile that also features subtle citrus acidity and sweetness.
The flagship expression is Ardbeg TEN (10 Years Old), and while several other expressions are available, all feature intense peat smoke.
What is Ardbeg? Types, Flavor Profiles, and Recommended Ways to Enjoy
No. 13: Red Breast
Image source: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/kaiseiya/0060428/
Redbreast is a single pot still whiskey produced at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland.
It is the only Irish whiskey to rank within the top 20, and is regarded by enthusiasts as a masterpiece of Irish whiskey.
Rather than being blended, it is bottled as a single pot still whiskey.
Because it is matured in sherry casks, it offers a rich, fruity flavor reminiscent of raisins and plums.
A variety of expressions are released, mainly focusing on different ages such as 12, 15, and 21 years.
What is Red Breast? Types, tastes, and recommended ways to drink
No. 14: Hakushu
Image source: https://products.suntory.co.jp/d/4901777360440/
Hakushu is a Japanese whisky produced at the Hakushu Distillery in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
All of Suntory's whiskies—Yamazaki, Hibiki, and Hakushu—made it into the rankings.
Located in a mountainous region and surrounded by forests, its pure water and cool climate make it ideal for whisky production.
Often called the 'forest distillery,' it produces malt whiskies with a refreshing style reminiscent of green leaves and herbs.
Like Yamazaki, the lineup includes 12, 18, and 25-year expressions, as well as NV (non-vintage) options.
No. 15: Glendronach
Image source: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/yunyuusyu/70021/
Glendronach is a Scotch whisky produced at the Glendronach Distillery near Forgue in the Speyside region.
This historic distillery, founded in the 19th century, is known for its emphasis on sherry cask maturation.
It is mainly matured for long periods in Spanish sherry casks such as Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez.
Renowned for its rich and full-bodied style, its deep sherry-infused flavors are highly popular among fans.
In addition to various ages such as 12, 15, 18, and 21 years, the lineup also includes options like Port Wood.
created by Rinker
¥6,499 (As of 2025/07/08 15:29:06, according to Rakuten Ichiba-Details)
What are the characteristics of Glendronach? Types, flavors, and recommended ways to enjoy it
16th place: Lagavulin
Image source: https://www.miraido-onlineshop.com/item/3-lagavulin-vt16-p/
Lagavulin is a long-established distillery on Islay that has been producing Scotch whisky for over 200 years.
It maintains the classic heavily peated style typical of Islay.
Nicknamed 'the Giant of Islay,' it has long been beloved by whisky enthusiasts.
It is highly regarded for its pronounced smokiness and briny, iodine notes, balanced with sweetness and a sense of maturity.
The flagship expression is the long-aged 16 Year Old, while the more accessible 8 Year Old is also available.
No. 17: Highland Park
Image Credit: Sanyo Bussan official website
Highland Park is a Scotch whisky from the Islands region, produced at the Highland Park Distillery in the Orkney Islands.
The Orkney Islands are located at the northernmost tip of Scotland, where maturation takes place in a climate facing the North Sea.
The amount of peat used is moderate, resulting in a balanced smokiness that sets it apart from the style of Islay.
It features a sweet floral aroma reminiscent of heather flowers and a honey-like sweetness, resulting in a highly complex flavor profile.
A representative label is the 'Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour,' which features an attractive design inspired by the wall decorations of the Urnes Stave Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Norway.
What are the characteristics of Highland Park? Types, flavors, and recommended ways to enjoy it
No. 18: Talisker
Image Credit: Amazon.co.jp
Talisker is a Scotch whisky produced at the Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Following Highland Park, whiskies from the Islands region have consecutively ranked in.
Its coastal location and the wild, stormy climate have a significant impact on the maturation process.
Its unique style combines a peppery spiciness reminiscent of black pepper with peaty smoke, which is part of its appeal.
The most well-known label is 'Talisker 10 Year Old,' but among enthusiasts, the 'Talisker Spicy Highball'—a highball topped with black pepper—is especially popular.
Introducing the varieties of Talisker Scotch whisky and recommended ways to enjoy it
No. 19: Aberfeldy
Image source: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/yo-sake/4015w01/
Aberfeldy is a Scotch whisky produced at the Aberfeldy Distillery in the Highlands.
It is also known as the key malt in the popular Scotch blended whisky Dewar’s.
This whisky is highly regarded both as a single malt on its own and as a main component in blended whiskies.
It is characterized by a style that features honey and vanilla-like sweetness, along with the calm, mature qualities typical of the Highlands.
Aberfeldy offers a lineup that includes 12, 16, and 21-year expressions.
20th Place: From the Barrel
Image source: https://www.asahibeer.co.jp/products/whisky_brandy/nikkablended/barrel/barrel.html
From the Barrel is a blended whisky produced by Japan’s Nikka Whisky.
It blends high-strength whiskies from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, each with distinct characteristics.
Another distinctive feature is the 'marriage' process, in which malt and grain whiskies are blended and then re-casked for further maturation.
With its high alcohol content, it offers a bold and rich flavor, and is internationally acclaimed among Nikka Whisky’s releases.
While Nikka Whisky offers a variety of other whiskies, From the Barrel is the label that has garnered worldwide attention.
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Nikka From the Barrel 51% 500ml No Box
¥6,600 (As of 2025/07/08 15:29:09, according to Amazon-Details)
What are the varieties, flavors, and recommended ways to enjoy From the Barrel?
At Last
We have introduced a ranking of internationally acclaimed whiskies; here is a summary of the overall content.
- First place goes to Michter’s, an American whiskey.
- Japan’s Yamazaki and Ichiro’s Malt are also highly regarded on a global scale.
- The number of top-ranked entries is highest in the order of Scotch > Japanese > American > Irish.
- The only brand that appears both at the top of the sales rankings and in common is Johnnie Walker.
If you live in Japan and never travel abroad, you may not have the opportunity to learn about whiskies that are highly regarded by global standards.
If you use the above rankings as a reference when choosing whisky, you might discover a whisky with an impressive flavor you've never experienced before.
Finally, we've organized the ranked whiskies by category and price range for your reference when making a purchase.
| classification | Whisky |
| Japanese | Yamazaki Ichiro's Malt Hibiki Hakushu From the Barrel |
| Scotch | Springbank Johnnie Walker Balvenie Bruichladdich Compass Box Ardbeg Glendronach Lagavulin Highland park Talisker Aberfeldy |
| American | Mixters Woodford Reserve Uncle Neighbor |
| Irish | Redbreast |
| Price Range | Whisky |
| 1,000 to 5,000 yen range | Ichiro's Malt Johnnie Walker Woodford Reserve From the Barrel |
| 6,000 to 9,000 yen range | Mixters Balvenie Uncle Neighbor Bruichladdich Ardbeg Redbreast Glendronach Highland park Talisker Aberfeldy |
| 10,000 yen or more | Yamazaki Springbank Hibiki Compass Box Hakushu Lagavulin |
*The above list is based on prices researched at the time of writing. Prices may vary depending on the time of purchase and the store.
Reference article for those who want to choose whiskey by price
created by Rinker
¥1,149 (As of 2025/07/08 15:19:44, according to Rakuten Ichiba-Details)
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