Country winners in the World Whiskies Awards China 2026 were announced on 15 March 2026 at a ceremony held in Dali, Yunnan. The awards brought whisky industry members from China and around the world to the city, which is at the heart of one of the country's fastest-developing whisky regions.

Based on the theme "Never Compromise, Be Yourself", the awards presentation dinner saw the announcement of the Icons of Whisky China and the World Whiskies Awards China. The event highlighted the growing confidence and visibility of Chinese whisky on the international stage, and the Chinese whisky industry's commitment to quality, patience, and craft.

The 2026 Icons of Whisky China Awards announced 30 winners, while nine World Whiskies Awards China winners were also honoured at the event. The results reflect the growing depth, diversity, and ambition of China’s whisky landscape.

During the ceremony, Jerome Cottin-Bizonne, CEO of Pernod Ricard China, was inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. Cottin-Bizonne's 27-year career in the wine and spirits industry has spanned four continents. He became Pernod Ricard China managing director in 2021, then CEO in 2023. Over this time, he has been a driving force behind the establishment and growth of the Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery. 

This year, the World Whiskies Awards China celebrations were held from 14–15 March. Over the two days, industry leaders gathered for discussion, recognition, and exchange. Sessions explored the foundations of whisky production, from equipment and process design to maturation and flavour development, while roundtable discussions focused on the future of Chinese whisky and the role of local terroir in shaping new regional identities. A highlight of the programme was an "East-meets-West" discussion between Ji Kelian and Richard Paterson OBE. 

The event underlined how Chinese whisky is becoming "more than a category", said Whisky Magazine China — it is now becoming a "cultural, industrial, and international story". 

For the full list of Icons of Whisky China, visit the World Whiskies Awards website.