Carpathian Wins Master at World Whisky Masters 2026

Emerging European Regions Shine as Romanian and Croatian Distilleries Scoop Major Accolades

The results of the World Whisky Masters 2026 blind tasting competition, hosted by The Spirits Business, have been announced. In the European Single Malt category (excluding Ireland and Scotland), the judging panel awarded 1 Master medal and 8 Gold medals. Europe's whisky landscape is rapidly expanding, with emerging producers from Romania and Croatia, founded only a few years ago, achieving impressive honors in this tasting.

Carpathian Peated Sherry Cask Strength Clinches Sole Master Award

The sole Master award in the category went to Carpathian Single Malt Whisky Peated Sherry Cask Strength, produced by Romania's Alexandrion Group. Carpathian single malt whisky is crafted at the Saber 1789 distillery in Bucov, Prahova County, under the direction of Master Distiller Allan Anderson. Produced from Romanian malt smoked to around 35 ppm and local spring water, it is double-distilled in copper pot stills, matured in Sherry STR quarter casks, and bottled at 62.5% ABV. Judges praised its nutty notes, delicate smokiness, rich oily texture, and seamlessly integrated alcohol.

Carpathian also earned Gold medals for two other single malts. The Fetească Neagră Cask Finish was matured in first-fill Kentucky bourbon barrels before being finished in European red oak wine casks from the group's own winery in Dealu Mare, bottled at 46% ABV, offering aromas of black pepper, clove, vanilla, raisins, and roasted pineapple. The Greek Beer Cask Finish was distilled in 2018, matured for six years, and finished in a single bourbon cask that previously held Greek craft beer.

English and Croatian Distilleries Recognized with Multiple Golds

Among English producers, Cumbria's The Lakes secured two Gold medals with its flagship The Lakes Signature and travel retail exclusive The Lakes Boundless. Signature is bottled at 47% ABV following maturation in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, while Boundless is bottled at 48% ABV and matured entirely in first-fill Oloroso oak casks. Derbyshire's White Peak distillery claimed Gold for its Wire Works Port Cask and the upcoming Wire Works Pineau des Charentes; the former combines port casks with first-fill bourbon barrels and is bottled at 50.2% ABV.

Croatia's Duh u Boci distillery also won a Gold medal for its Nebo Peated Single Malt. Bottled at 48% ABV, this peated expression brings together virgin Croatian oak, refill peated bourbon casks, and oak casks from Islay aged over 30 years. Oxford independent bottler Salty Dog also clinched Gold for its 12-year-old English single malt whisky, limited to just 1,000 bottles, bottled at 40% ABV, delivering notes of caramel, raisins, and oak smoke.

📅 Published: 2026-09-01

🔗 Source: The Whiskey Wash