Tasmania’s Callington Mill Distillery has reinforced the state’s reputation as an international whisky powerhouse, taking the prestigious Best of Class Australian Single Malt Whisky title at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
John Ibrahim and brothers Salim and Danny Nicolas established Callington Mill in 2017. Passionate whisky lovers, the trio previously worked with and invested in several iconic Tasmanian distilleries, including Old Kempton, Shene and Lark. Inspired by the heritage precinct and the Callington Mill Windmill (Australia’s third-oldest windmill and the only operational Lincolnshire-style tower mill in the Southern Hemisphere), they created the brand around the historic Oatlands site. Built in 1837 for flour production (and once used for illegal spirits), the windmill acts as a defining icon of the distillery and its packaging.
The distillery operates as both a production site and a visitor destination, with an on-site restaurant and cellar door offering tastings and self-guided tours. Sustainability is integrated throughout: clean-energy-powered heat exchangers reduce consumption, distillery waste (barley and yeast) is recycled locally as livestock feed, barley is prioritised from local sources, and packaging uses 98% recycled materials printed with biodegradable, vegetable-based inks.
The win for its El Sol expression marks a back-to-back triumph for the Oatlands-based distillery, following its 2025 Best of Class victory with the Pedro Ximénez release.
El Sol (46% ABV) secured top honours after a rigorous blind tasting, with Callington Mill also placing both El Sol and its Oloroso expression (46% ABV) among the five finalists. This is El Sol’s third Best of Class win at the SFWSC, after also taking the title in 2023. The SFWSC is one of the world’s largest and oldest blind spirits competitions, drawing thousands of entries each year before selecting its finalists.
Judges praised El Sol for aromas of freshly polished wood and rich toffee, with tobacco, oak and cocoa on the palate. The Oloroso single malt was noted for its deep complexity, featuring notes of dried figs, plums, raisins and spice.
“To be awarded Best of Class at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition once was an honour; to win it back-to-back proves the consistency and calibre of our distilling team,” said Callington Mill Distillery Founder John Ibrahim. “This victory is a proud moment for us and for Tasmania’s thriving single malt industry.”
“Our vision for Callington Mill has always been to build the benchmark for modern distilling in Oatlands. Through relentless innovation in our cask program and sustainable practices, we are continuously redefining the craft and shaping the next generation of Tasmanian whisky.”
The 2026 result builds on a strong track record at the competition. After winning Best of Class in 2025 with its Pedro Ximénez Single Malt Whisky matured for five years in rare ex-Pedro Ximénez casks sourced from the Sherry Triangle in Jerez de la Frontera, Callington Mill has now achieved consecutive top honours. Ibrahim has previously noted that the selection of fortified wine casks used in the distillery’s ageing process defines its DNA.
The momentum has continued across other major events in 2026. At the World Whisky Masters, Callington Mill earned three Master medals (for Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Quagmire Peated) plus Gold medals for El Sol, Enigma and Invicta. At the Cathay Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia, it took Gold for El Sol and Silver for Pedro Ximénez, Invicta and Fusion.
Award-winning releases and availability
Double Gold
El Sol Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky, RRP $149
Oloroso Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky, RRP $149
Quagmire (Peated) Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky, RRP $159
Gold
The Heritage Release Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky, RRP $195
All are available from the Callington Mill website and the distillery door in Oatlands.
For full SFWSC results, visit the Tasting Alliance site. More on the distillery is available at callingtonmilldistillery.com.
