The Whiskies of the World (WOW) organization, which promotes the appreciation and enjoyment of whisky, is the host of the Whiskies of the World Awards. WOW is well known for running a nationwide whisky show series and is currently a part of the International Wines & Spirits Competition.
Here are the top-ranked American whiskies from the 2024 Whiskies of the World Awards.
Best in Show Whiskey: 10th Street Triple Cask STR, American Single Malt Whiskey, 55.6% ABV, 750 ml.
The 10th Street Distillery, situated in San Jose, California, combines innovative Californian ideas with classic Scottish whisky-making methods. Shaved, roasted, and re-charred casks are the three types of casks used to age the Triple Cask STR American Single Malt. This approach, which is based on the STR process made popular by whiskey expert Dr. Jim Swan, intensifies the oak’s flavor and produces a whisky that is incredibly nuanced. This expression is strong and complex at 55.6% ABV.
The scent is deep and complex, with notes of citrus, dark chocolate, and spice in addition to toasted oak, caramel, and dried fruit. It has a powerful, full-bodied flavor profile that includes strong notes of roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and toffee. Layers of spice, charred wood, and a hint of smokiness are added by the triple cask age, which is counterbalanced by softer flavors of vanilla and honey. Long and warming, the finish leaves a delightful smoky aftertaste along with lingering spices and oak.
Best in Class Honors: Lion’s Pride Distillery for Thresh & Winnow American Single Malt Single Cask, 8 YO, 50% ABV, 750 ml.
The Lion’s Pride Distillery is renowned for its commitment to producing small-batch, premium spirits. This dedication to quality is evident in the distinct and concentrated flavor profile that the Thresh & Winnow American Single Malt Single Cask has developed over its age. Rich and multi-layered, the scent has undertones of dried fruits, oak, and spice in addition to toasted malt, caramel, and vanilla. It has a strong, full-bodied mouthfeel with a well-balanced mix of sweet malt, honey, toffee, dark chocolate, and baking spices. The oak flavor is noticeable but not overpowering. Long and comforting, the finish has lingering spices, oak, and a light smokiness.
Best in Class Honors: Redwood Whiskey for Redwood Empire Bottled in Bond, Grizzly Beast Bourbon, 54% ABV, 750 ml.
Based in Sonoma County, California, Redwood Empire Whiskey is renowned for its dedication to sustainability and creation of premium spirits that capture the essence of the area. According to stringent government regulations, the Bottled in Bond expression must come from a single distillery, be produced within a single distilling season, be matured for a minimum of four years, and be bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV). But this expression emphasizes its high-proof status by being bottled at 54% ABV (108 proof). Rich and nuanced notes of rye spice, black pepper, and fresh dill mingle with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, and charred oak.
It has a strong, full-bodied flavor on the palate along with notes of toasted rye bread, thick caramel, and dried fruit. The strong alcohol content intensifies the flavor and makes for a captivating drinking experience. With lingering notes of cinnamon, clove, and sweet oak, the finish is lengthy, warming, and spicy.
Full list of winners:
Best in Show
- 10th Street Triple Cask STR
Best in Class
- Lindores Abbey 1494 Single Malt Single Malt Whisky (Malt)
- Thresh & Winnow American Single Malt Whiskey (ASM: Peated)
- W.L. Weller 12 Year (Bourbon Wheated)
- Eagle Rare 17 Year-Old (Bourbon)
- Blanton’s Gold Edition 103 Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (BOURBON)
- George T. Stagg (Bourbon: High Proof)
- Redwood Empire Bottle In Bond Rocket Top Rye (Rye Whiskey: High Proof)
- THE GUARD BRIDGE (Malt: Blended Malt)
- Amrut Triparva (Malt: World)
- Traveller Whiskey (Whiskey: Blended)
- William Larue Weller (Bourbon: Wheated: High Proof)
- Ironroot Promethean Bourbon Whiskey (Bourbon)
- RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With French Oak (Bourbon)
- FEW Immortal Rye Whiskey (Flavored Whisky)
Double Gold
- Pōkeno PX Sherry Single Cask #71
- The ImpEx Collection 2011 12 yo Royal Brackla Cask # 110000245
- Indri Founder’s Reserve 11YO Wine Cask
- Amrut Fusion
- 10th Street Port Cask Finish
- Redwood Empire Bottle in Bond Grizzly Beast Bourbon
- Benchmark Single Barrel
- Benchmark Bonded
- E.H. Taylor Small Batch
- Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Saints Alley Herald Bourbon Whiskey
- Thomas H. Handy
Gold
- Ohishi Port Cask Whisky
- Amrut Single Malt Rye Whisky 2nd Release
- Eden Mill Signature Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch
- Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2024
- Amrut Peated Cask
- Remarkable Regional Big Peat Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
- Arrogant Bastard Whiskey
- Mirador Eclipse Single Malt Whisky
- Hell House American Legend American Whiskey
- W. L. Weller Full Proof
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Widow Jane 10Y Bourbon
- 1792 Aged 12 Years
- Widow Jane Lucky 13 Bourbon
- Eagle Rare
- 1792 Single Barrel
- Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Early Times Bottled in Bond
- E.H. Taylor Single Barrel
- FEW Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Blanton’s Original 93 Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1792 Full Proof
- Benchmark Full Proof
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Finished In Oak and Maple Barrels
- Saints Alley Bourbon Whiskey
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood
- Hotscotch
- Sazerac 18 Year-Old
- Sazerac Rye
- Widow Jane Apple Wood Rye Whiskey
- FEW Straight Rye Whiskey
- Rye Bottled in Bond Whisky
- Thresh & Winnow Whiskey 10 Year Old 100% Rye
- Writers’ Tears Single Pot Still
- Dingle Single Malt
- Wright & Brown Rye
- Wright & Brown Heritage Bourbon
Silver
- 1867 Canadian Whisky
- Bearface Wilderness Series 02
- Hayashi 24 Year Okinawa Japanese Whisky
- Paddy Irish Whiskey
- Wolfburn 10
- Eden Mill Signature Bourbon Cask Single Malt
- Ikikko 10 yr
- Amrut KURINJI – Single Malts of India
- KAMIKI INTENSE MALT WHISKY
- Amrut Naarangi
- Montgomery American Single Malt Whiskey
- Texas 1′ Single Malt Whisky
- Kunhai Whisky Sun
- FEW American Straight Whiskey
- W.L. Weller CYPB
- W.L. Weller Single Barrel
- W. L. Weller Special Reserve
- 1792 Sweet Wheat
- W. L. Weller Antique 107
- Mama Tried Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
- Mama Tried High Rye Bourbon Whiskey
- Ironroot Harbinger Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Benchmark
- Benchmark Top Floor
- Zackariah Harris
- Sable Bottled In Brotherhood Bourbon Whiskey
- Elmer T. Lee
- Buffalo Trace
- Very Old Barton 90
- Tradewater Small Batch
- Widow Jane Baby Jane
- Benchmark Small Batch
- 1792 Small Batch
- 1792 Bottled in Bond
- Tradewater Single Barrel
- Widow Jane Decadence
- Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon
- Stellar Bourbon
- Baby Blue Straight Corn Whisky
- Red Hazel Spiced Whiskey
- FEW Cold Cut Whiskey
- 1867 Apple Canadian Whisky
- Widow Jane Paradigm Rye Whiskey
- Sudden Wisdom Straight Rye Whiskey
- Writers’ Tears Copper Pot
- Bealtine Single Pot Still
- The Irishman Single Malt
Bronze
- Bearface Tripple Oak
- Brenne Estate Cask Single Malt
- Cataleja Single Malt Whisky
- Early Times American Blended Whiskey
Whiskey consumption among Americans has increased recently, which can be attributed to a spike in interest in both conventional and craft whiskey variants. The following are some recent figures about whiskey consumption in the US:
- Consumption Volume: The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) estimates that in 2022, Americans drank about 75 million 9-liter cases of whiskey. This covers a range of whiskey varieties, including blended, Tennessee, rye, and bourbon.
- Growth Rate: There has been steady growth in the whiskey category. The total amount of whiskey consumed in 2022 rose by almost 4% over the year before. The premium and super-premium whiskey categories, which have experienced even faster growth rates, are contributing factors to this rise.
- Particularly well-liked varieties of American whiskey are bourbon, Tennessee, and Rye. The total sales of Tennessee whiskey, rye whiskey, and bourbon in 2022 exceeded 29 million 9-liter cases, indicating a 5.5% increase over the year before.
- Spending on Whiskey: The amount that consumers spend on whisky is a good indicator of its appeal. About $5.1 billion worth of whiskey was sold in the United States in 2022, with premium and super-premium brands accounting for a sizable share of this total revenue.
- Craft Whiskey: The market for craft whiskey is still expanding quickly. Nowadays, the United States is home to over 2,000 craft distilleries, many of which are concentrated on creating premium whiskeys in small batches that appeal to a more discriminating consumer base. Sales of craft whiskey have increased by double digits in recent years.
- Exports: Whiskey from the United States has also been strong. American whiskey exports hit around $1 billion in 2022, indicating a robust demand in global markets, especially in Europe and Asia.
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