That time of the year again where one man’s dedication to trying whisk(e)y comes in the form of The Whisky Bible. Weather you agree with him or not, Jim Murray has built a very big brand on trying endless amounts of whisky and publishing his findings for all to see. It’s good fun reading through it and coming across sometimes amusing anecdotes about his experience with certain whiskies. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be taken as gospel, just enjoy it for what it is…one man’s opinion and his journey through the whisk(e)y world.
Kentucky is the definitive winner here! This year the top 3 spots have been awarded to all American whiskies! Not only that, but all from the Sazerac company.
2020 World Whisky of the Year
1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Second Finest Whisky in the World
William Larue Weller 125.7 Proof
Third Finest Whisky in the World
Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye 128.8 Proof
The 1792 being crafted in the Barton 1792 distillery, while both the William Larue and Thomas Handy are produced at Buffalo Trace.
“To not only be named World Whisky of the Year but also to have our whiskeys named second and third finest is astonishing,” said Mark Brown, Sazerac president. “We could not be happier or more motivated to continue to strive for perfection in the American whiskeys we make.”
The team here at Whisky Merchant happen to think these 3 whiskies are, in fact, delicious! If they should have the top 3 spots or not, that’s for you to decide. I couldn’t number my top 3 favourite bottles, because like most other things, it just comes down to the mood I am in!
Have a gander at the list of other winners and see how it compares to your tastes!
Single Cask of the Year
Nantou Distillery Omar Cask Strength Bourbon Cask
Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks): Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition
Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask): The Macphail 1949 China Special Edition 1
Scotch Blend of the Year: Ballantine’s 17 Years Old
Scotch Grain of the Year: The Last Drop Dumbarton 1977
Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year: Glen Castle Blended Malt 1990
Single Malt Scotch No Age Statement: Glen Grant Rothes Chronicles Cask Haven
10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks): Glen Grant Aged 10 Years
10 Years & Under (Single Cask): Annandale Man O’ Sword
11-15 Years (Multiple Casks): Glen Grant Aged 15 Years Batch Strength
11-15 Years (Single Cask): Signatory Vintage Edradour Ballechin 12 Year Old
16-21 Years (Multiple Casks): Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition
16-21 Years (Single Cask): Whisky Castle Glen Spey Aged 21 Years
22-27 Years (Multiple Casks): Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1996
22-27 Years (Single Cask): The Whisky Shop Glendronach Aged 26 Years
28-34 Years (Multiple Casks): Ben Nevis 32 Years Old 1966
28-34 Years (Single Cask): Gordon & MacPhail Inverleven 1985
35-40 Years (Multiple Casks): Port Ellen 39 Years Old
35-40 Years (Single Cask): Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1978 W18
41 Years & Over (Multiple Casks): Glen Scotia 45 Year Old
41 Years & Over (Single Cask): The Macphail 1949 China Special Edition 1
BLENDED SCOTCH
No Age Statement (Standard): Ballantine’s Finest
No Age Statement (Premium): Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare
5-12 Years: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Years Old
13-18 Years: Ballantine’s 17 Years Old
19 – 25 Years: Dewar’s Aged 25 Years The Signature
26 – 50 Years: The Last Drop 56 Year Old Blend
IRISH WHISKEY
Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength
Irish Pot Still Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength
Irish Single Malt of the Year: Bushmills Aged 21 Years
Irish Blend of the Year: Jameson
Irish Single Cask of the Year: Kinahan’s Special Release Project 11 Year Old
AMERICAN WHISKEY
Bourbon of the Year: 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Rye of the Year: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 128.8 Proof
US Micro Whisky of the Year: Garrison Brothers Balmorhea
US Micro Whisky of the Year (Runner Up): 291 Barrel Proof Colorado Whiskey Aged 2 Years
BOURBON
No Age Statement (Multiple Barrels): 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
No Age Statement (Single Barrel): Colonel E H Taylor Single Barrel Bottled In Bond
9 Years & Under: Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel
10 – 12 Years: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Aged 12 Years
11 – 15 Years: Pappy Van Winkle 15 Years Old
16 – 20 Years: Michter’s 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
21 Years & Over: Pappy Van Winkle 23 Years Old
RYE
No Age Statement: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 128.8 Proof
Up to 10 Years: Knob Creek Cask Strength
11-15 Years: Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 Years Old
Over 15 Years: Sazerac 18 Years Old
Single Cask: Knob Creek Single Barrel Select
CANADIAN WHISKY
Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
JAPANESE WHISKY
Japanese Whisky of the Year: Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
Single Malt of the Year (MB): The Matsui Mizunara Cask
EUROPEAN WHISKY
European Whisky of the Year (Multiple): Thy Whisky No. 9 Bøg Single Malt (Denmark)
European Whisky of the Year (Single): Penderyn Single Cask no. M75-32 (Wales)
WORLD WHISKIES
Asian Whisky of the Year: Nantou Distillery Omar Bourbon Cask no.11140804 (Taiwan)
Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year: Bakery Hill Peated Malt Cask Strength (Australia)
