Rosebank Named World's Best Whisky

Rosebank 31 Year Old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been awarded 'Best in Show - Whisk(e)y' at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), officially recognizing it as the world's best whisky.

The Best in Show title is the highest honor in global spirits judging. This accolade marks a landmark moment in the revival of Rosebank, long considered the "King of the Lowlands" and one of Scotland's most admired distilleries.

A Rare Whisky From a Silent Era

The winning expression, Rosebank 31 Year Old (48.1% ABV), was distilled before the distillery's closure in 1993 and left undisturbed in refill casks for over three decades. These exceptional casks capture the distillery's unmistakable Lowland character: bright citrus, soft vanilla, rose petals and candied almond, and entirely natural in color.

The 31YO forms part of the Rosebank Legacy Trilogy, also including a 30 Year Old and 32 Year Old, the final releases drawn from the distillery's remaining pre-1993 casks.

Neil Bulloch, Rosebank Distillery Manager, said: "This award is a tremendous moment for everyone connected to Rosebank. The 31 Year Old represents the very best of the spirit laid down before the distillery fell silent. Our responsibility now is to carry that character forward as Rosebank enters a new chapter."

Leonard Russell, Chairman and Owner of family-owned Ian Macleod Distillers, said: "Restoring Rosebank was a commitment to one of Scotland's most admired whisky styles. To see a whisky from its silent era named the world's best is deeply meaningful. It honours those who crafted the original spirit and those who helped bring the distillery back to life."

A Standout Performance at San Francisco

Rosebank secured top honors across the Scotch categories before being named Best in Show Whisk(e)y 2025, including:

Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 Years and Over
Best Single Malt Scotch
Best Overall Scotch
Best in Show Whisk(e)y 2025

The SFWSC judges described the Best in Show winners as "the pinnacle of quality and artistry."

Availability & Collector Information

A limited number of Rosebank 31 Year Old bottles remain for whisky collectors and enthusiasts to acquire. Each bottle is presented in a luxury case.

These rare and precious bottles are available for whisky aficionados to acquire. Each bottle is encased in a luxurious presentation box. Rosebank 31YO is available at the Distillery Shop in Falkirk, from the distillery's website.

In the U.S., it is available through Total Wine & More and other U.S. specialist retailers – priced at $2,000 (70cl, 48.1% ABV). These are among the final bottles from Rosebank's silent era.

Visiting Rosebank

Rosebank Distillery has a shop which features the world's most extensive collection of aged Rosebank whiskies anywhere in the world. The Distillery is open all year round offering a choice of tours and tastings at a range of price points. These can be booked online through the distillery's website.

Tasting Notes

Rosebank 31 Year Old

Appearance: Pale gold; natural colour
Nose: Citrus bursts, soft vanilla, candied almonds
Palate: Camomile, berry, baked banana
Finish: Sweet peach, oak, subtle herbal notes

This release is the second in the Rosebank Legacy Trilogy and exemplifies the distillery's elegant, floral Lowland style.

A Distillery Reawakened

Founded in 1840 in Falkirk, just 23 miles from Edinburgh, Rosebank was closed in 1993 and remained silent for more than 25 years. Its revival, completed in 2023 after an award-winning four-year reconstruction, has been hailed as one of the most significant restorations of a Scottish distillery in recent decades.

The distillery has since been recognised with:

VisitScotland Five-Star Attraction status
Editor's Choice at the Architects' Journal Awards

Rosebank is now distilling again, with its first new releases expected in the coming years.

Rosebank Style

Rosebank Lowland Single Malt is known for:

Triple distillation, delivering refined floral and fruity notes
Worm tub condensers, contributing weight and depth
Unpeated Lowland purity, offering delicacy and finesse

This combination makes Rosebank one of Scotland's most distinctive whisky styles.

The Legacy Trilogy

The Rosebank Legacy 30, 31 and 32 Year Old expressions represent some of the final releases from the distillery's silent era. These rare bottlings are the last opportunity for collectors to secure Rosebank whiskies distilled before 1993.

Recent Awards

Rosebank's revival has already been recognised across global competitions:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025