On Wednesday, 4 June 2025, the Global Taste and Design winners of the World Drinks Awards 2025 were officially revealed.
This years’ awards took place at the Waldorf hotel in the heart of London’s theatre district. The event featured a three-course meal, live entertainment, and a drinks reception in the hotel’s historic Palm Court.
The World Drinks Awards are global awards recognizing outstanding and internationally recognized drinks of all kinds. Presented by TheDrinksReport.com, the world’s no.1 online resource for drinks professionals, the World Drinks Awards, according to their website, “select, reward, and promote the world’s best drinks to consumers and trade across the globe.”
The awards event celebrated the very best drinks, people, companies, and places in the ever-growing world of the global drinks industry. The evening started with the announcement of category winners for World’s Best Design and the Icons of Drinks, which celebrates the achievements of individuals and companies who provide exceptional service for their brand. Following this, the World’s Best winners for Taste were announced. The night concluded with the Drinks Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have honed their craft and made a lasting contribution to the drinks industry.
Global Icons of Drinks winners this year include JDO Global for Brand & Packaging Design Agency of the Year, Shenda O’Hare from Killowen Distillery for Distillery Manager of the Year, and Beachtree Distilling Co for Sustainable Distillery of the Year. The night was also attended by loyal and longtime sponsors, Amorim Top Series, Rankin Brothers & Sons, and Glencairn Crystal.
The awards also saw leading industry figures Leonard Russell from Ian Macleod Distillers and Pedro Saez-Del-Burgo from Filliers Distillery inducted into the World Drinks Awards Hall of Fame.
The Philippines’ own Destileria Limtuaco & Company Inc., the country’s oldest distillery, was also recognized for its innovative liqueurs using the best of local products. Named as a winner for the World’s Best Chocolate LiqueurwasIntramuros Liqueur de Cacao, lauded in the awards website for delivering “a complex profile with nutty and roasted cacao notes on the nose. The palate is complemented by butter and roasted coffee. Overall the mouthfeel is creamy, and the depth of flavor is impressive.”
A Gold Winner as Country Best Fruit Liqueur was Manille Liqueur de Calamansi. “The nose of this liqueur promotes citrus, lemon blossom, and grapefruit,” describes the awards website. “The palate is sweet, featuring soft orange and tangerine flavors, complemented by hints of vanilla and white pepper. There is a zesty finish, which makes it light and easy to drink.”
Finally, Country Winner for Best Coffee Liqueur was DLCI’s renowned Amadeo Coffee Liqueur, which “delivers a complex profile, featuring high roasted coffee and cigar notes on the nose. On the palate, it reveals a sweet, intense coffee character with strong pipe tobacco and wood spices. The rum base adds a pleasant depth with Smokey and toasted nuances.”
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, said: “Meeting producers from all corners of the world, tasting exceptional products, and celebrating the diversity and passion of the industry makes for a truly rewarding experience. With more and more products entered each year, from dozens of countries, it’s clear the scope of the global drinks market is forever on the rise! A huge thanks to our winners, judges, and everyone involved.”
