Weldon Mills Earns Top Honors at the 2026 International Whisky Competition
Weldon Mills Distillery, North Carolina’s most awarded distillery, has once again demonstrated that world-class bourbon is produced on the banks of the Roanoke River in Halifax County. At the prestigious 2026 International Whisky Competition, the distillery earned multiple top honors, earning recognition alongside some of the finest whiskies in the world. Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast searching for your next favorite bottle or a traveler looking for unique things to do in North Carolina, these latest achievements make Weldon Mills an even more desirable destination to experience.
What Is the International Whisky Competition?
Founded in 2010, the International Whisky Competition (IWC) is recognized as one of the world’s most respected whiskey-only industry competitions. The competition evaluates and ranks whiskies from around the globe through a blind-tasting process conducted by experienced judges. The 17th annual competition took place June 14–18, 2026, at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society in Louisville, Kentucky.
Unlike many spirits competitions that award numerous medals in each category, the International Whisky Competition follows a much stricter format. Similar to the Olympic Games, judges award only a single Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal per category (unless scores are tied). Due to the competition's rigorous judging process and highly competitive field, earning recognition is considered a significant achievement for any distillery.
Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey Earns Multiple Top Finishes
The standout performer for Weldon Mills was Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which earned a remarkable 92.45 points and ranked among the Top 15 Whiskies in the World for 2026.
The bourbon also earned several significant honors, including:
2nd Place – Best American Whiskey (Overall)
2nd Place – Best Bourbon Whiskey
2nd Place – Best Bourbon Whiskey – Cask Strength
2nd Place – Best Bourbon Whiskey – Small Batch
1st Place – Best North Carolina Whiskey
These awards place Weldon Mills Reserve alongside some of the most respected bourbons produced in the United States, while highlighting North Carolina's growing reputation for producing exceptional whiskey.
Weldon Mills Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey Also Earns International Recognition
The recognition didn’t stop with just one bourbon.
Weldon Mills Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey earned an impressive 91.00 points and received:
2nd Place – Best Bourbon Whiskey – Wheated
2nd Place – Best North Carolina Whiskey
Scoring above 90 points at the International Whiskey Competition is a notable accomplishment, as only the highest-rated whiskies achieve this distinction.
A Round of Applause for North Carolina Bourbon
These impressive results reflect Weldon Mills’ commitment to producing premium, handcrafted spirits while showcasing North Carolina’s unique distilling tradition on an international stage. Competing head-to-head with top-notch worldwide distillers, Weldon Mills demonstrated that exceptional grain-to-glass bourbon is crafted right here in North Carolina.
For visitors searching for places to see in North Carolina, Weldon Mills Distillery offers much more than award-winning bourbon. Guests can tour the distillery, relax along the scenic Roanoke River, enjoy handcrafted cocktails, and sample internationally recognized spirits in the welcoming tasting room.
Experience Award-Winning Bourbon at Weldon Mills Distillery
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, traveling along I-95, or simply looking for new things to do in North Carolina, there's never been a better time to visit Weldon Mills Distillery.
Come experience the award-winning bourbons that earned international recognition, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the tasting room, and discover why Weldon Mills continues to put North Carolina whiskey on the world map.
Plan your visit to Weldon Mills Distillery and taste internationally recognized bourbon for yourself.
If you live outside North Carolina, you can order Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and other award-winning spirits online: https://weldonmills.com/shop/.
