An Irish whiskey has been voted the best single malt whiskey in the world.

Teeling Whiskey’s 24-year-old Single Malt was crowned the world’s best at a World Whiskies Awards in London.

The brand was established in 2015 – and operates out of its distillery at Newmarket Square in Dublin 8.

Teeling beat off competition from a host of top whiskey producing countries – including Scotland and Japan to win the award.

It is the first time an Irish whiskey has been named the world’s best single malt.

Teeling

After the win, the founder and managing director of the company, Jack Teeling said: “To be honoured as the World’s Best Single Malt and in the process become the first Irish whiskey to ever have achieved such world-wide acclaim is very humbling and reflects the global resurgence and revival of both Teeling and Irish whiskey.

“We are also extremely proud of the team we have created, and this award is testament to the creativity, hard-work and dedication of our staff both here in Ireland and around the world, and I would like to thank them all for helping us achieve this ambition.”

Teeling Whiskey. Image: Abel Uribe/TNS via ZUMA Wire

"Incredible achievement"

The head of the Irish Whiskey Association, William Lavelle said: “To receive an award of such high esteem at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards this year is an incredible achievement for Teeling Whiskey.

“It is testament to the quality and excellence of its whiskey range and the hard work and dedication of the team involved to produce this world-class Single Malt.”

He said Irish whiskey exports last year were worth €654m – and increase of 13% on the year before.

“We are so proud of our Irish whiskey distillers, bottlers and blenders whose tireless innovation and ambition to create a range of world-class Irish whiskey products has resulted in the industry’s global success,” he said.

The Celtic Whiskey Shop won the World's Best Single Outlet Retailer at last night’s awards ceremony.