Hinch Distillery, a fantastic local success story from County Down, is celebrating a huge win! Their Single Malt Irish Whiskey has been crowned 'Best Irish Small Batch Single Malt' at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards Ireland 2026. This is a tremendous achievement, especially as it marks an early success for their newly appointed Head Distiller, Emma Millar.
Emma has been a vital part of the Hinch team since the distillery opened its doors in 2020. Her expertise has been central to developing and refining the unique character of their award-winning Single Malt. She carefully guided its maturation process in ex-bourbon American oak and Oloroso sherry casks, resulting in a beautifully balanced whiskey with delightful notes of orange, honey, and ginger.
Speaking about the win, Emma shared, "This award truly reflects the dedication and care we pour into every stage of our whiskey making. Having worked so closely with our Single Malt for the past five years, it's incredibly rewarding to see it recognised so soon after stepping into my new role. It really highlights the importance of understanding cask maturation and allowing each whiskey to naturally develop its unique flavour profile."
The good news doesn't stop there! Hinch Distillery also saw their 15 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish awarded 'Best Irish Blended Limited Release' (for whiskies aged 13 to 20 years), and their 5 Year Old Double Wood Madeira Cask Finish was a Category Winner in the '12 Years and Under' section.
Dr. Terry Cross OBE, Chairman of Hinch Distillery, praised Emma's impact: "To see our Hinch Irish Whiskey Single Malt receive such high recognition is a fantastic achievement, and it’s a direct reflection of Emma's significant contribution over the past five years. This award is a strong early endorsement of her leadership as Head Distiller and underscores Hinch’s growing international reputation." He added, "It celebrates the expertise of our entire distilling team and our ongoing commitment to blending traditional Irish whiskey making with contemporary maturation techniques, enhancing Hinch’s standing both locally and globally."
The awards ceremony took place on February 26, 2026, in Dublin, bringing together the best in the Irish whiskey industry. Hinch Distillery’s winning whiskeys will now go on to compete for the ultimate title of 'World’s Best' in their respective categories, with the global results due to be announced on March 25, 2026. We wish them the very best of luck!