WL Weller, Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 57% ABV, 750ml.
Four Straight Bourbons took top honors at the first round of the recently concluded International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London. Five other American whiskeys also took top honors. The trial was the first round of a two-step process, which includes a trial round in London in May and a second in September in Kentucky.
The best bourbons, all the winged gold medals were a who’s who of American whiskey. Sazerac dominated the results winning five of the top nine awards.
The highest rated American whiskey in the London judging round was Sazerac, 18 YO, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml.
The Sazerac 18 YO rye whiskey expression is one of the greatest rye whiskeys in the world and is a perennial medalist in international spirits competitions. The IWSC judging panel described the whiskey as:
Juicy fruit, beautiful balance and incredible clarity of flavors. Orange, leather and toast with a touch of clove. The finish is classic and easy drinking, bottled at a decent ABV.
Three of the top rated bourbons, all from Sazerac with 95/100 points, read like an honor roll of American bourbon: Eagle Rare, 17 YO, 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, 750ml.
These three whiskeys need no introduction to American bourbon enthusiasts. They are three of the world’s greatest bourbons, among the brands that have taken the Sazerac to the pinnacle of American whiskey. Recently they have become expensive and hard to find. If it’s been a while since you’ve tasted one of these American whiskey icons, maybe it’s time to indulge yourself.
The IWSC Judging Panel described Eagle Rare 17 YO as:
Rich aromas of young leather, lager beer, honey and menthol lead to a beautifully aromatic bouquet. On the palate, it offers nice weight and balance with a good fruit profile. The finish is quite cloying and satisfying.
George T Stagg was described by the Trial Panel as:
Juicy peach and stone fruit aromas harmonize beautifully with Black Forest kirsch and gateaux nuances. Rich and earthy notes give way to a sultry finish, revealing an array of dried mango, pineapple, apple, pear and apricot.
While the Trial Chamber described WL Weller as:
Enjoy the comforting aroma of orange, oak and walnuts. A delightful taste with a perfect balance of roses, cinnamon and brambles. The finish is heartwarming and satisfying.
The fourth gold medalist in the bourbon category, also an icon of American whiskey was Four Rose, Original Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
The IWSC Judging Panel described Four Roses bourbon as:
Juicy dark fruits, toffee and fudge entice the senses. Fragrant oak and dried tropical fruit on the nose. A perfect example of American whiskey with a depth of character. Quiet ending.
The other top-rated rye whiskey, also from Sazerac, was Thomas H Handy, Straight Rye Whiskey, 62.5%, 750 ml.
The mash receipts 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 bill, commonly referred to as Mash Bill #2. This mash bill is believed to contain approximately 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley.
While mash bills are the same, the main difference between the two lies in their aging and proofing. Sazerac 17 YO is aged for 17 years and is usually bottled at 90 proof, while Thomas H Handy is a newer, cask-proof expression that is uncut and unfiltered.
The IWSC Judging Panel described Thomas H Handy Rye Whiskey as:
Tomato leaves and bakewell (a kind of British pudding or cake) blend harmoniously with rich vanilla pods. Classic rye flavors are nicely balanced. Luxurious notes of roasted coffee beans, Belgian waffles and double cream lead to a lush and delightful finish.
The highest rated Tennessee whiskey is Chattanooga Whiskey, experimental batch 033 Triple peated whiskey, 55.5%, 750 ml. A Tennessee-inspired blend of peated American whiskey seems out of place among these historic icons of American whiskey. It underscores how markedly the American whiskey scene is being changed by the innovations of contemporary craft distillers.
The IWSC Judging Panel described Chattanooga whiskey as:
Aromas of bacon fat and chili spice, complemented by hints of cola cube and tomato leaf. Spicy and aromatic, with a black and fruity nose. Strong smoke leads to forest flavors, finishing with a characteristic finish of the old coal stove.
High-tasting American whiskey is Revel Stoke, roasted pecan flavored whiskey shaken. The IWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as:
Enjoy the rich aromas of chocolate, honey-roasted nuts, cereal and candy floss aromas. Enjoy the demanding and delicious sweetness with a long and lingering finish. Notes of nutty chocolate, sweet almonds and balanced smoothness linger long after the last sip.
Finally, the top ranked American Single Malt whiskey is Balkone, Montilla Single Malt Whiskey, 53% ABV, 750 ml. Balcones has been a leader in the American Single Malt category. The IWSC panel described the whiskey as:
Ripe dark fruits and strawberries mingle on the palate, with hints of nettles and dried berries. A complex, fruit-driven finish leaves a satisfying impression.
The first round of IWSC’s American Whiskey Judging featured some classic American whiskey icons. More to come from the second round of judging in Kentucky this September. Until then, it’s a good opportunity to re-taste some of these American whiskey classics.