2024 World Whiskies Awards: Top American Whiskeys
Published by ForbesFeb 11, 2024By Joseph V Micallef, Contributor The World Whiskies Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, held...
Published by Forbes
Feb 11, 2024
By Joseph V Micallef, Contributor
The World Whiskies Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, held their gala award ceremony at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 8 to announce the winners of the 2024 American Whiskey Awards, the Icons of Whiskey, as well as the latest inductions into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The top-ranked American whiskeys represented a diverse mix of historic brands and new, up-and-coming craft whiskey distillers.
The Icons of Whisky awards included Heaven Hill Distillery, which was designated Distiller of the Year. Greg Metze from Old Elk Distillery is the Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year, and Visitor Attraction of the Year is Buffalo Trace Distillery.
In addition, Joseph J. Magliocco from Chatham Imports and Freddie Johnson from Buffalo Trace Distillery are the 90th and 91st inductees in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
According to Bethany Brown, editor of Whisky Magazine and chair of judges for the Icons of Whisky:
Recent American Craft Spirits Association data revealed that the United States craft distilling industry is firmly on the up. This is fantastic news for craft whisky distillers, who are doing phenomenal work and creating incredible liquids that deserve wider appreciation, and for us as whisky drinkers as a greater variety of products become more accessible.
She also singled out the work of the larger whiskey producers, noting:
We must not forget the contribution of the US’ larger whisky distilling companies to the category’s continued success, driving industry-leading innovations in sustainable production and visitor experience.
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, added:
The American whisky industry saw another very successful year at the World Whiskies Awards. With judging sessions in Kentucky and Washington, DC, we have seen many outstanding products shared amongst our fantastic judges, with special thanks to Maggie Kimberl and Steve Beal. Year after year, we are seeing an ever-increasing quality standard in products and diversifying portfolios, which are making us look forward to next year already.
World Whiskies Awards kickoff with the first round of judging at the Brindiamo Penthouse in Bardstown, KY on November 8, 2023.
The Best Non-Kentucky Finished Bourbon is Breckenridge – Port Cask Finish. The Best Kentucky Finished Bourbon is 15 Stars – Sherry Cask Finish.
Both expressions are outstanding bourbons and win medals consistently in international whisky competitions. The Breckenridge is also an incredible value at a list price of $60.
The Best Non-Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon is Laws Whiskey House – Four Grain Bourbon Cask Strength. The Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon is Four Roses – Small Batch Bourbon.
Laws is another up-and-coming Colorado-based distiller. Colorado has become a hotbed of whiskey innovation, especially in using historic/ancient grain varieties, an area in which Laws has been a trailblazer.
Kirin Brewing Company owned Four Roses is an established name in Kentucky’s whiskey universe, combining age-old traditions with the agility and dexterity of a craft distiller. Its expressions consistently rank with the best American whiskeys.
The Best Non-Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon is Preemption – Single Barrel Texas Straight Bourbon. The Best Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon is Four Roses – Single Barrel Bourbon.
Texas, like Colorado, is another state where craft distillers are rapidly establishing themselves on the cutting edge of American whiskey innovation. Although its climate is very different, Texas shares a tendency with Colorado for the early maturation of its whiskeys.
Not surprisingly, craft distillers there are establishing the hallmarks of distinct regional styles. Both states tend to produce robust, deeply colored whiskeys that extract many flavors from the cask wood.
The Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon is Robert Fulton – Straight Bourbon, while the Best Kentucky Bourbon is 1792 – 12 Years Old. 1792, formerly known as Ridgemont Reserve, has been produced since 2002 by the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Sazerac has owned the company since 2009.
Other top whiskeys included Best New Make and Young Spirit, Chattanooga Whiskey. The Best Flavored Whiskey is Stillhouse – Peanut Butter S’mores Whiskey, while the Best American Style Whiskey is FEW – American Straight Whiskey.
Taluna, Old Saint’s Keep 2023, another Colorado whiskey, took top honors for Best Pot Still Whiskey 12 Years and Under.
Pot still whiskey is a classic Irish whiskey style incorporating both malted and unmalted barley in the mash bill. Traditionally, a pot still whiskey had to be 95% barley, with malted barley and unmalted barley having to each be at least 30% of the mash bill. The last 5% could be any combination of corn, wheat, rye, or oats.
Using malted and unmalted barley produces a sweeter spirit with a marked palate weight and an oily, viscous texture. Taluna is one of only a handful of non-Irish distillers producing Irish-style pot still whiskey.
The Best Blended Malt 12 Years and Under is Lost Lantern – Flame. Lost Lantern has been a leading bottler in resurrecting the lost art of American independent whiskey blenders. It, too, has been a consistent winner in the Blended Malt and Blended Whiskey categories.
Also winning top honors is Wenzel Whiskey – Wheated Two as Best Blended Limited Release 12 Years and Under and Barrell Craft Spirits for Best Blended 12 Years and Under.
The Best Corn Whiskey 12 Years and Under is Ironroot Republic – Hubris. Ironroot is another Texas distillery with a solid record of innovation in the whiskey industry.
Bainbridge, a Washington distiller, is a perennial winner in whiskey competitions and took Best No Age Statement for its Bainbridge Yama Mizunara Cask Whiskey. Lone Elm – Single Barrell took top honors for Best Wheat Whiskey 12 Years and Younger.
The Best Single Cask Single Rye 12 Years and Under was Proof and Wood, Tumblin Dice Single Barrel Rye. Proof and Wood is one of America’s highest-rated craft whiskey bottlers and another consistent winner in spirit competitions.
The Best Rye 12 years and Under is Saint’s Alley – Nobleman. The Best Small Batch Single Malt, 13 to 20 years is The Notch Nantucket Island – 15 Years Old. The Notch is another craft distiller routinely winning top prizes for its single malt whiskey.
The Best Single Cask Single Malt 12 Years and Under is Hogback Distillery – Wallace Collection Peated Malt, while the Best Single Malt 12 Years and Under is Cedar Ridge – The QuintEssential Special Release.
The Best Tennessee Whiskey is Uncle Nearest – 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey. 1792 also took top honors as Bourbon – Sponsored by the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
The World Drinks Awards and the World Whiskies Awards were launched by Whisky Magazine to “commend the best whiskies in more than 20 categories covering style and production methods.” Each entry is evaluated blindly by independent spirits experts. A winner is selected for each category and country and awarded a gold, silver, or bronze medal.
The annual Icons of Whisky awards, first introduced in 2007, “aim to celebrate the achievements of outstanding people and places in the global whisky industry, including distilleries, their teams, and industry communicators." The awards are split into six regions: Ireland, Scotland, America, China, India, and The Rest of the World.
Membership in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame recognizes those individuals “who have made an outstanding, significant, and lasting contribution to the global whisky industry.”
The 2024 American Whiskies Awards recognized an outstanding array of American whiskeys. Significantly, craft distillers dominated the awards, with notable representations from Colorado and Texas distillers. Many of these craft distillers are well-known because they have consistently won in spirit competitions.
More importantly, most of the craft whiskeys were under 12 years old, reflecting that the craft whiskey industry in America is still young and hitting its stride. The success of these young whiskeys is compelling evidence of the wonders the American whiskey industry has in store for its devotees in future years.
See the World Whiskey Awards website for a complete listing of the Icons of Whisky 2024 and World Whiskies Awards 2024.
Published by ForbesFeb 11, 2024By Joseph V Micallef, Contributor The World Whiskies Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, held...
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