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Every year more than a dozen major industry competitions take place in the world, where whiskey is ranked. Experts evaluate drinks by categories: organoleptic properties (aroma, color, taste), national character, cost and method of production are taken into account. Let’s take a look at the most prominent representatives of different whiskey categories that have shown excellent results over the past few years.
The best scotch whiskeys
Scottish distilleries are facing increasing competition from Irish and American companies. Consumers rightly expect great quality beverages across all price ranges, which drives manufacturers to create new styles and flavors to keep their fans and attract new audiences.
Blended
In recent years, Johnnie Walker has confidently held the top lines of the Scottish blended whiskey rating. The Whiskey Advocate experts gave the Blue Label brand a record 97 points, noting its powerful intense taste with hints of caramel, peat smoke, spices and citrus fruits. The drink was awarded a gold medal at the Scotch Whiskey Masters 2019. The outstanding qualities of Gold Label Reserve were evaluated by the judges of the World Whiskeys Awards in 2018, recognizing it as the best among blended whiskeys.
The twelve-year-old Chivas Regal blend has been repeatedly mentioned among the leaders of international competitions. Whiskey – a bright example of the style of the Speyside region with a multifaceted taste, which mixes bright honey, apple and vanilla notes. Chivas Regal Ultis scored a high 96 from The Whiskey Advocate and received gold at the Scotch Whiskey Masters 2018.
Another leader is Ballantines, several types of this whiskey were recognized by The Spirits Business as winners in 2018. Ballantine’s Hard Fired was praised for its pleasant fudge and nougat flavors, while Ballantine’s Limited was praised for toffee, praline and milk chocolate flavors. In total, the brand collected seven gold and five silver awards in the competition, which made it the absolute leader.
Single malt
The Spirits Business named Glenfiddich as the best-selling single malt Scotch whiskey in 2019. According to the company’s leaders, such impressive results were achieved thanks to a series of experiments. Among the latest products is Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, aged in rum barrels. At IWSC London, the brand won the 2019 Trophy for Glenfiddich with a 21-year aging.
Irish whiskey rating
According to statistics, over the past decade, global sales of Irish whiskey have grown by 300%. The country’s alcohol industry is showing unprecedented growth. Experts note that regardless of the price category of whiskey, producers are actively experimenting with blends, achieving a unique taste and demonstrating an unprecedented variety of styles.
At the 2019 World Whiskeys Awards, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey at 43,5% abv was the winner for Best Taste. The Echlinville Distillery is one of the few that grows its own barley in the fields surrounding the distillery. The brand appeared relatively recently – in 2012, but already takes pride of place among the best whiskeys in the world. The taste mixes apple, herbal, orange and banana tones. The Spirits Business 2019 placed this whiskey at number one in the Ultra Premium category.
The gold medal at the World Whiskeys Awards was given to Writers’ Tears Double Oak, a prominent representative of Walsh Whiskey’s flagship line. This is a blend of premium distillates aged in two types of barrels – American and French oak, the latter being used to store cognac. The drink demonstrates a complex bouquet with hints of berries, milk chocolate, cinnamon and ginger. This whiskey was also awarded a gold award at The Spirits Business competition for amazing lightness and the highest quality.
Fercullen 2019 YO is the 10 IWSC Grain Irish Whiskey of the Year in London. Experts noted its dense structure and creamy taste, in which coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and milk chocolate are felt. A year earlier, the winner in this category was Dundalgan 10 YO, in which the judges judged a complex bouquet with hints of leather, basil, oak and Chardonnay wine.
American whiskey (bourbon) rating
2019 has been a tough year for the US alcohol business. Manufacturers have been hit hard by the trade wars that continue to affect the industry. Even global giant Jack Daniels is showing record low sales growth due to increased tariffs on raw materials. But, despite the difficulties, companies continue to present samples of drinks with outstanding qualities and impeccable taste at competitions.
In the category of premium bourbons, the jury of The Spirits Business 2019 gave the palm to Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon with brioche and baked apple flavor. This brand is regularly among the winners in its class – a year earlier this whiskey was also awarded a gold medal. At IWSC in London in the Bourbon Trophy 2019 nomination, another representative of Buffalo Trace Distillery won – Eagle Rare 10 Year Old with a rich spicy aroma and delicate taste with hints of ripe plums, cherries and maple syrup.
In the super premium category, Colonel EH Taylor was recognized as the best at The Spirits Business 2019, in which the judges noted the complex taste with nuances of buttercream, vanilla and caramelized corn. The drink is one of those that every beginner must try to understand what real American bourbon is.
The World Whiskeys Awards 2019 named Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whiskey as the leader in richness of taste among American whiskey brands with a strength of 46%. The distillate is first aged in brand new barrels, and then poured into charred containers where bourbon and port were previously stored. As a result, the drink acquires wine, chocolate, herbal and citrus shades.
Experts recognize Evan Williams 1783 as an outstanding among inexpensive bourbons with a taste of caramel, cherries, pine nuts and cocoa. This whiskey scored a total of 91 points from The Spirits Business judges and ranks among the points leaders. Slightly less – 88 points – got the classic Buffalo Trace, which is recommended for those who want to get an excellent bourbon at a low price.
Whiskey rating in Russia
Among Russian lovers of the drink, the debate about which whiskey is better – Scottish, Irish or American – does not subside.
There are not many connoisseurs in Russia who purchase rare varieties with a long aging period. Most buyers prefer inexpensive and high-quality products of the giants of the world industry, which have received high marks from judges at international competitions.
Popular Scottish Whiskeys
Johnnie Walker is the undisputed sales leader in the country. The company has been producing whiskey since 1820 and has won the hearts of fans by offering drinks with outstanding taste in all price categories.
Chivas Regal is a distillery founded by the Chivas brothers in 1801. Blended whiskey has a soft and harmonious bouquet with fruity and smoky hues.
Glenfiddich is the best selling mid-range molt. The products of the company, which has been operating since 1887, have received a record number of awards over the past twenty years.
Popular whiskeys from Ireland
Jameson is the absolute leader among inexpensive brands. Among the medal winners are usually cask types of this whiskey with a long exposure time. The characteristic features of drinks are sweetness and pronounced vanilla notes. There are no smoky shades.
Tullamore Dew does not often become the undisputed champion, but regularly receives gold medals in his category. The first batch of brand drinks was bottled in 1829. Buyers appreciate them for their unusual taste, where malt, spicy and woody nuances come to the fore.
famous american whiskey
Jack Daniels – breaks sales records not only in Russia, but also in the world. Alcohols are passed through coal obtained by burning Canadian sugar maple, from which the drink acquires woody, charcoal and caramel shades.
Jim Beam has been made in Kentucky since 1795. For its manufacture, the manufacturer uses three types of cereals: barley, rye and corn, and the distillate is aged in new charred barrels for at least two years. Top selling bourbon.
PS In recent decades, the alcohol market has shown unprecedented diversity. Due to the abundance of brands represented, it is difficult to make a single rating of whiskey in terms of popularity or quality – the products are intended for people with different tastes and the price is not always the determining criterion for purchase. Start tasting with proven inexpensive varieties and move on to brands with a complex bouquet only after making sure that whiskey is your drink.