JAPANESE DISTILLERY - YAMAZAKI - WINS 'WORLD'S BEST SINGLE MALT WHISKY'. Japanese whisky continued its dominance of World Whiskies Awards this year; with Suntory scooping one of the top titles and Nikka securing the blended malt title for the fourth year running. For the first time a South African blend, Three Ships, took the title of World's Best Blended Whisky.

More than 300 whiskies battled during three intensive blind tasting rounds for the coveted titles of the '2012 World's Best Whiskies'.

Judges for Whisky Magazine's independent editorial panel were drawn from the best drinks journalists and retailers across the world, with industry representatives made up of master blenders, distillers and brand ambassadors in the final round.

The World Whiskies Awards is the annual selection of the very best whiskies internationally. This year entries have been received from: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, USA and Wales. Categories are based upon the commonly held whisky groupings, which define both the style and the process of whisky and whisky production: single malt, blended, blended malt, grain, American and whisky liqueurs. Organised by Whisky Magazine, this annual competition selects, awards and promotes to consumers and trade the 'World's Best Whiskies'.

The competition is open to proprietary bottlings only, and is chaired by Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, and exists to inform and educate consumers throughout the world about whisky.

Chairman of the judges, Rob Allanson, commented: "The competition featured some eye-opening whiskies and the judging panel had a hard time separating the good from the very good. My congratulations go to the winners, the judges' exacting standards mean that the winners are truly the greatest whiskies in the world."