WL Weller, Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 57% ABV, 750 ml.
Four Straight Bourbons took top honors in the first round of the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), recently completed in London. Five other American whiskeys also earned top honors. The judging was the first round of a two-step process, including a round of judging in London in May and a second in September in Kentucky.
The top bourbons, all gold medalists, were a who’s who of American whiskey. Sazerac dominated the results, winning five of the top nine prizes.
That was the highest rated American whiskey in the London jury round Sazerac, 18 years old, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml.
Sazerac’s 18 YO rye whiskey expression is one of the world’s greatest rye whiskeys and is a perennial medalist in international spirit competitions. The IWSC judging panel described the whiskey as:
Juicy fruit, nice balance and excellent clarity of flavors. Oranges, leather and toasted bread with a hint of cloves. The finish is classic and easy to drink, bottled at a good ABV.
Three of the top-rated bourbons, all from Sazerac with 95/100 points, read like a roll of honor for American bourbon: Eagle Rare, 17 years old, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml; George T Stagg, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 67.5% ABV; And WL Weller, Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 57% ABV, 750 ml.
These three whiskeys need no introduction to American bourbon enthusiasts. They are three of the best bourbons in the world, and are among the brands that propelled Sazerac to the pinnacle of American whiskey. They have become expensive and difficult to find lately. If it’s been a while since you’ve tasted one of these icons of American whiskey, it might be time for some indulgence.
The IWSC judging panel described the Eagle Rare 17 YO as:
Rich aromas of new leather, lager, honey and menthol lead to a beautifully fragrant bouquet. In the mouth it offers nice weight and balance with a good fruit profile. The finish is quite jammy and satisfying.
The George T Stagg was described by the jury as:
Juicy peach and stone fruit aromas harmonize beautifully with hints of kirsch and Black Forest gâteaux. Rich, earthy notes give way to a fiery finish, revealing a delicious array of dried mangoes, pineapple, apples, pears and apricots.
While the jury panel described the WL Weller as:
Enjoy the comforting aroma of oranges, oak and nuts. A delicious taste with a perfect balance between roses, cinnamon and blackberries. The aftertaste is warming and satisfying.
The fourth gold medalist in the bourbon category, also an icon of American whiskey, was Four Rose, original pure Bourbon whisky.
The IWSC judging panel described the Four Roses bourbon as:
Juicy dark fruit, toffee and fudge seduce the senses. Fragrant oak and dried tropical fruit in the nose. A perfect example of American whiskey with a deep character. Smooth finish.
The other top-rated rye whisky, also from Sazerac, was Thomas H Handy, pure rye whisky, 62.5%, 750 ml.
The mash bills for Sazerac 17 YO Rye Whiskey and Thomas H Handy Straight Rye Whiskey, both part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, are the same. Both whiskeys use Buffalo Trace’s rye mash bill, commonly called Mash Bill #2. This mash is believed to contain approximately 51% rye, 39% corn and 10% malted barley.
Although the mash bills are the same, the main difference between the two lies in their aging and rising. The Sazerac 17 YO is aged for 17 years and is typically bottled at 90 proof, while the Thomas H Handy is a younger, barrel-proof expression that is uncut and unfiltered.
The IWSC judging panel described the Thomas H Handy rye whiskey as:
Tomato leaf and Bakewell (a kind of British pudding or pie) harmoniously intertwined with rich vanilla pods. Classic rye flavors are gracefully balanced. Luxurious notes of roasted coffee beans, Belgian waffles and whipped cream lead to a lush, indulgent finish.
The top rated Tennessee Whiskey is Chattanooga Whiskey, experimental batch 033 Triple Peat Blended Whiskey, 55.5%, 750 ml. A peated, Tennessee-inspired American whiskey blend seems out of place among these historic icons of American whiskey. It underscores how significantly the American whiskey scene is changing from the innovations of today’s craft distillers.
The IWSC judging panel described the Chattanooga Whiskey as:
Aromas of bacon fat and chili spices, supplemented with hints of cola cube and tomato leaf. Sharp and aromatic, with a smoky and fruity nose. Intense smokiness leads to woodsy flavors, ending with a characterful old coal stove finish.
The best flavored American whiskey is Revel Stoke, Shellshocked roasted whiskey with pecan flavor. The IWSC judging panel described the whiskey as:
Enjoy the rich aromas of chocolate, honey roasted nuts, cereal and sugary cotton candy. Taste the sought-after, nutty sweetness with a long, lingering aftertaste. Notes of nutty chocolate, sweet almonds and balanced smoothness linger long after the last sip.
After all, the top-ranked American Single Malt whiskey is Balcones, Montilla Single Malt Whisky, 53% ABV, 750 ml. Balcones is a leader in the American Single Malt category. The IWSC judging panel described the whiskey as:
Ripe dark fruit and strawberries mingle on the palate, with hints of nettles and dried berries. A complex, fruit-driven aftertaste leaves a satisfying impression.
The first round of the IWSC’s American Whiskey Jury showcased some classic icons of American whiskey. More to come from the second round of judging in Kentucky in September. Until then, it’s a good opportunity to re-taste some of these American whiskey classics.