World Whisky Day is an annual, global day of whisky, which invites everyone to try a dram on May 17, 2025.
The international event is a toast to the rich history, diverse flavours, and global impact of whisky and for the on- and off-premise, by capitalising on the interest in World Whisky Day, you can attract new customers, increase foot traffic, and boost sales of whisky-related products and offerings.
How can you take part in World Whisky Day?
Join the conversation on social media using #WorldWhiskyDay. What whisky styles do you offer? What promotions will you run on World Whisky Day? What’s the best way to serve whisky – on the rocks, with water, or with a mixer?
For distilleries: Run special World Whisky Day tours, offer exclusive tastings, discounts, and reveal new products.
For off-premise: Offer in-store tastings, or chocolate/cheese and whisky pairings. Give loyal customers exclusive discounts on particular whiskies.
For on-premise: Bring in a whisky ambassador to host specialist tastings or master classes. Offer limited edition whisky cocktails or flights of your favourites for customers to try. Or just stick to the classics, such as a whisky sour…
Whisky Sour
Ingredients:
60 ml bourbon or rye whisky
25 ml fresh lemon juice
20 ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
(Optional) 15 ml egg white for a smooth, frothy finish
Ice
Garnish: lemon twist or maraschino cherry
Method:
Dry shake all ingredients (without ice) if using egg white — this helps create a silky foam.
Add ice, then shake again until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass with fresh ice.
Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry.
Optional twist: Add a dash of aromatic bitters on top of the foam for extra depth.
Big win for Kiwi distillery
Cardrona Distillery’s flagship Single Malt Whisky, The Falcon, has been awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The is the only New Zealand whisky to achieve a Double Gold this year, The Falcon received 95 points from judges.
A Double Gold Medal is awarded only to spirits that receive unanimous gold ratings from all judges in a blind tasting.
The Falcon showcases notes of burnt toffee, vanilla cream, pepper and sun-scorched nectarine.
The trinity of three casks hand-selected by Cardrona’s Master Distiller is a marriage of ex-sherry, ex-bourbon and ex-Central Otago pinot noir.
Scapegrace Distilling set to launch its award-winning core expression whisky in New Zealand.
Scapegrace set to release whisky on World Whisky Day
From May 17, the single malt whiskies ANTHEM and VANGUARD will be available nationwide after having already been debuted internationally.
The 46% ABV edition of VANGUARD won Gold at the 2025 World Whisky Awards, and the 46% ABV edition of ANTHEM earned Gold at the 2024 World Whisky Masters.
“The products showcase the best of New Zealand, having been distilled and cut with pristine Central Otago glacial waters and made using locally grown barley, including our distinct Manuka smoked variety,” says Scapegrace Co-Founder, Daniel McLaughlin.
“The end result is a highland malt-esque whisky which is rich, elegant and subtle.”
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