The Westfalian “2012 TW08” Wins Best Single Cask Single Grain 2025
The Best Single Cask Single Grain 2025 award at the World Whiskies Awards 2025 was claimed by The Westfalian “2012 TW08” from Germany. Distilled from wheat or barley and aged in a likely sherry cask, the whisky impressed judges with its confectionary depth, oak spice, and dessert-like complexity — setting a new bar for single grain excellence from continental Europe.
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Key Takeaways
Germany’s The Westfalian wins Gold for its robust sherry-aged single grain from a single cask
Singapore’s rice-based Hom Mali and Scotland’s Cameronbridge 27 Year took Silver and Bronze
The category reflected global grain innovation and the rise of non-traditional whisky regions
Best Single Cask Single Grain 2025 – The Westfalian “2012 TW08” (Germany)
Distilled in 2012 and aged for over a decade in a single sherry cask, this German grain whisky delivers a profile more typical of fortified wine-aged single malts. Judges noted its layered richness, from cherry and cocoa to spice and leather, highlighting what careful cask selection can bring to grain whisky.
Aroma | Dark chocolate, espresso, dried figs |
|---|---|
Palate | Black forest cake, toasted oak, hint of anise |
Finish | Dry spice and leather |
Compendium “Hom Mali Rice Whiskey” – Silver Medalist
Singapore’s Compendium Spirits received Silver for its jasmine rice-based single grain whisky — a unique tropical expression distilled from local grains and aged in a single cask. The whisky stood out for its soft floral aroma and sake-like palate, showing how Southeast Asia is redefining whisky grain traditions.
Aroma | Jasmine rice, honeysuckle |
|---|---|
Palate | Vanilla, tropical fruit, rice nuttiness |
Finish | Smooth, white pepper, sweet rice pudding |
Cameronbridge 27 Year Old – Bronze Medalist
Cameronbridge, one of Scotland’s oldest grain distilleries, earned Bronze with a 27-year-old single cask bottling. Aged in a hogshead since the early 1990s, this whisky delivered a mellow, fudgy profile that reminded judges why age still matters in grain whisky.
Aroma | Vanilla, coconut, old oak |
|---|---|
Palate | Fudge, dried banana, soft spice |
Finish | Coconut cream, lingering sweetness |
What Is Single Cask Single Grain Whisky?
This category includes grain whiskies distilled from a non-malted mashbill (such as wheat, corn, or rice) and bottled from a single cask without blending. These expressions are often limited-edition or independent bottlings. In 2025, judges looked for creative grain choices, active cask influence, and balance — with top entries showcasing age, texture, and complexity from lesser-known regions.
The Best Single Cask Single Grain 2025 results showcased how grain whisky is evolving into a category of high character and craftsmanship. Germany’s The Westfalian proved that with the right barrel and time, grain whisky can rival the complexity of malts. The international medal sweep — from Singapore’s rice whisky to Scotland’s aged classic — reinforces a trend: grain spirit is now a canvas for innovation, and global distillers are treating it with newfound respect.
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All 2025 World Whisky Awards Gold Medalists
