The 2025 International Whisky Competition in Kentucky has recognised Thieves Collection with the Gold Medal for Best Australian Whisky, marking the second consecutive international award for the Fremantle-based distillery. The company’s Gold Single Malt impressed international judges with a score of 86.56 points, securing first place in the Australian category through rigorous blind tasting methodology.

“This recognition is a proud moment for our entire team,” said Michael Simm, Managing Director of Thieves Collection. “We created the Gold Single Malt to embody the boldness and integrity of Australian spirit-making, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision resonate on the world stage.” 

Michael Simm, Managing Director of Thieves Collection

This achievement follows the distillery’s previous gold medal win at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards 2025, where their Single Malt scored 92 points. The consistent recognition across multiple international competitions demonstrates the brand’s ability to meet exacting standards set by global industry professionals and reinforces their position within the premium spirits sector.

Kentucky competition validates global appeal

The International Whisky Competition’s annual evaluation process attracts entries from distilleries worldwide, with judges assessing products through blind tastings that prioritise quality and innovation above brand recognition. The rigorous methodology ensures awards reflect genuine merit rather than marketing influence, making recognition particularly significant for emerging brands seeking to establish international credibility.

Michael Simm, Managing Director of Thieves Collection, described the recognition as a proud moment for the entire team. He emphasised that the Gold Single Malt was created to embody the boldness and integrity of Australian spirit-making, expressing satisfaction that this vision resonates on the world stage. The award validates the company’s approach to combining traditional distillation techniques with distinctly Australian characteristics.

The competition’s blind tasting format particularly benefits smaller distilleries like Thieves Collection, allowing their products to compete purely on quality against established international brands. This level playing field has enabled the West Australian operation to demonstrate that excellence in spirits production transcends geographic boundaries and brand heritage.

Bourbon-style expression gains momentum

Beyond the headline Single Malt victory, Thieves Collection’s Gold Bourbon-Style expression secured third place in the Australian category, demonstrating the brand’s capability across different spirit styles. This achievement mirrors their previous second-place finish for the same product at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards, indicating consistent quality across their product range.

The Bourbon-Style’s repeated international recognition suggests strong potential for expansion into markets where bourbon enjoys particular popularity. The product’s performance across multiple competitions provides evidence of its appeal to diverse judging panels and suggests broad market acceptance potential.

Technical excellence drives recognition

The award-winning Gold Single Malt reflects Thieves Collection’s technical approach to distillation, utilising 100% Western Australian malted barley through slow fermentation and triple distillation processes. Bespoke copper stills yield a spirit characterised by clean, layered profiles that distinguish it from mass-produced alternatives.

The distillery’s commitment to local ingredients combined with traditional techniques creates products that judges consistently rate highly. The refined balance of oak, warm spice, and signature richness has attracted attention from prestigious resorts, restaurants, and bars worldwide, indicating commercial viability beyond competition success.

Strategic positioning for continued growth

The consecutive international awards provide Thieves Collection with compelling credentials for expansion into premium markets where provenance and quality recognition influence purchasing decisions. The brand’s performance across multiple international competitions creates a foundation for sustained growth in luxury spirits sectors.