Galician Whisky Distillery Wins Three Medals at International Spirits Challenge in London

Destilerías Ovalle 1888, a Galician distillery, has won three medals at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge in London. The historic distillery, based in the Rías Baixas on the southwestern coast of Galicia, was awarded two silvers and a bronze for artisanal whiskies aged in local casks, including wine barrels from the region.

The annual International Spirits Challenge is regarded as one of the world’s most respected spirits competitions. Every year, thousands of spirits producers from over 70 countries compete in blind tastings judged by industry experts. Destilerías Ovalle 1888’s success underlines the increasing prominence of Spanish whisky making, demonstrating its ability to compete with world-class producers from Scotland, Ireland, and Japan.

The Award-Winning Whiskies

Destilerías Ovalle 1888 took home a silver medal for its Bateeiro whisky. Aged in Galician chestnut barrels, it imparts a subtle floral aroma and sweet notes, with an exceptionally smooth, honeyed finish of toasted and smoky wood, and notes of nuts and vanilla.

The distillery’s Ovalle Ruby also won silver. This whisky is aged in Ribera del Duero wine casks, bringing a fruity character and tannic structure, with notes of red fruits such as cherries and raisins, together with aromas of cloves and cocoa.

The Ovalle Gold whisky was awarded the bronze medal. Matured in Albariño casks, this whisky has a fresh, floral character, with notes of citrus and aromas of apricot, mandarin, and plum, along with subtle herbal undertones.

Destilerías Ovalle 1888 produces limited quantities of each of these whiskies, highlighting their exclusive quality.

Time-Honored Traditions

The Destilerías Ovalle 1888 head of innovation, Juan Ovalle, believes these awards are a recognition of the unwavering respect for the distilling process, a process that has been central to the family business for more than a century.

The awards success strengthens Galicia’s position as an emerging producer of world-class whisky. As one of the region’s leading whisky makers, Destilerías Ovalle 1888 has ambitions beyond the products themselves, with an aim to cultivate a community that celebrates whisky culture through whisky experiences, tastings and events, within Galicia and at its flagship venue in Madrid.