South Seas Distilleries secures the top three Indian whisky rankings through its pioneering Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Madhuca range.
Established in 1969, the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), widely regarded as the “Oscars of the wine and spirits industry,” saw Crazy Cock deliver a historic performance at its 2026 UK competition. Crazy Cock Madhuca III emerged as the standout Indian single malt, becoming the only Indian whisky to receive a coveted Gold Medal in the category.
Further cementing South Seas Distilleries’ status as a standard-bearer for Indian whisky, Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt was the only brand to secure the top three positions. The portfolio also captured five of the ten medals awarded to Indian single malts, accounting for half of all distinctions in the category.
This year’s judging panels featured some of the most respected names in the global spirits community, including Dawn Davies MW, Richard Paterson OBE, Ian Burrell, Joel Harrison, Olivier Ward, David T. Smith, Deano Moncrieffe, and Marie Cheong-Thon. Collectively, the panel represents decades of expertise spanning whisky production, spirits education, blending, criticism, and international judging, adding further weight to Crazy Cock’s achievements.
The IWSC 2026 results highlight how Indian single malts are no longer just contenders on the world stage, but are increasingly helping shape the future direction of the category, as Indian distillers draw global attention with their craft and innovation.
Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Whisky is a luxury whisky portfolio crafted by South Seas Distilleries, Makers of India’s oldest Single Malts whiskies and custodians of a distilling legacy spanning over a century.
South Seas is a pioneer in India’s oak cask maturation and holds the country’s largest liquid library, producing luxury single malts and exotic spirits, and collaborating with some of the world’s largest alcobev conglomerates.
These achievements reinforce India’s growing reputation in the global single malt whisky category and continue to earn recognition at leading international spirits competitions.