The SB Autumn Blind Tasting 2026, run by The Spirits Business magazine, also rewarded Welsh rum, Indonesian whisky and mezcal
British magazine The Spirits Business released the results of the SB Autumn Blind Tasting 2026, a competition it runs as a blind tasting, on October 2. Of the eight Master medals, the highest level, four went to brandies from Moldova, known there as divins: Domeniile Davidescu Divin 7 Ani, Maestro Barza Albă Signature XO 10 Years, Divin XXO Sofia and Divin IG Ungheni 5 Years.
The tastings took place at The Singer Tavern bar in London. According to the magazine, 16 judges, split into five panels, assessed the samples without seeing the labels; they included brand consultants, drinks writers, retailers, educators and bartenders. The categories were vodka, gin, rum, brandy, Scotch, Irish, American and world whisky, tequila, mezcal, pre-mixed cocktails, liqueurs and low- and no-alcohol drinks.
The other Master medals went to Waitrose No.1 Dry Gin, the private-label gin of British retailer Waitrose; Uncle Nearest Cognac Cask – Copper, an American whiskey; and two ready-to-drink cocktails, Weekend Margarita and Wee Smoky Old Fashioned. The judges highlighted the gin's citrus and juniper aromas.
Moldova also collected 14 gold medals in brandy, with labels from houses such as Barza Albă, Chateau Cojusna, Chateau Vartely and Vinaria Bardar. Uncle Nearest, in addition to its Master medal, took four golds in American whiskey, including Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey and Uncle Nearest 1856. In rum there were six golds: three for Anglesey Rum Co, from Wales, two for Takamaka, from the Seychelles, and Crossfire Hurricane Reserve.
Among Scotch whiskies, gold went to The Classic Laddie 10 years old, from the Bruichladdich distillery, and to The Borders Distillery's first release. Indonesia's Orang Tua won gold with two whiskies, Batavia Black and Keris, and with Siren Black Tea vodka. Ilegal mezcal had three expressions awarded gold (Joven, Reposado and Añejo), and the tequilas Casamata and Tierra Noble Reposado also reached gold. Among ready-to-drink cocktails, Bacardí Mango Mojito was one of five golds. There is no cachaça or Brazilian label among the winners listed by the magazine. In the Bebidário catalog, the rums section includes Bacardí labels.
Sources: The Spirits Business (October 2, 2026).
