Since monks began distilling grains in Scotland and Ireland over a thousand years ago, people have been sipping whisky. Walk into a bar anywhere in the world and you are likely to be greeted by a selection of local and international whiskies you can sip neat or enjoy in a cocktail. From smokey and peaty to sweet and fruity, it is a spirit that appeals to connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
This approachability and a wide array of styles have propelled whisky to the top of the world’s alcohol stage. It is the most popular spirit in the world and has seen a boom in consumer interest over the last few decades as the millennial generation discovers it. That’s good news if you are a whisky lover, as new distilleries come online both inside traditional hot spots (Scotland, Ireland, & the United States) and outside (Australia, Japan, & Africa). There is a literal abundance of riches begging to be sipped.
But therein lies a problem. With so many fantastic bottles to try, how can anyone drinker find a bottle that stands above the rest? Luckily, a healthy array of annual international spirit competitions exist to do just that. Their expert judging panels taste a staggering array of bottles, often in blind taste tests, to locate the best bottles each year. Just like we did for bourbon, tequila, and rum, here are the best whiskies in the world, as determined by some of the top competitions in the world. Any one of these would be a worthy addition to your home bar.
Coors Spirit Co. Five Trail Barrel Proof Batch 003 Blended American Whiskey
In a significant upset, Coors Spirits Co. Five Trail Barrel Proof Batch 003 Blended American Whiskey took home the Worldwide Whisky trophy at the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition. As the oldest and one of the most prestigious events on the awards circuit, brands can go a lifetime without winning a trophy. The fact that Five Trail bested all comers en route to being the first American blended whisky to win the award highlights the amazing team behind the four-year-old brand from a company known for its beer.
Home to awards darling Blue Run Spirits, which Coors acquired in 2023, Coors Spirits Co. has been racking numerous awards since its launch. While their winning bottle, Batch 003, will be impossible to find due to its limited release, it speaks volumes about the quality of their affordable Five Trail Whiskies, which are in wide release. As for the winning bottle, here is what the judges had to say about it: Big enticing aromas of malted cereal, sweet creamy milk chocolate and crisp red berries. The deliciously silky palate drips with the flavours of candied spiced nuts. A gorgeous mouthfeel that boasts a satisfyingly velvety finish.
Dùn Cana Sherry Quarter Cask Release
Located just off the western coast of Scotland, the Isle of Raasay Distillery is less than a decade old, yet its spirits are garnering attention. The second edition of their Dùn Cana Sherry Quarter Cask Release was awarded 97 points and took home the Whisky of the Year Award at the 2024 London Spirits Competition.
Utilizing a state-of-the-art modern distillery to delve heavily into the older styles of Hebridean single malts, they focus on artisanal small-batch releases. The resultant liquid is a lightly peated whisky with rich dark fruit flavors. The award winner was matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry quarter casks to create a unique bottle of scotch. Here is what the judges had to say about it: A single malt Scotch with tropical notes on the nose and a balanced palate of raisins, orange peel, and walnut, finishing with oak richness.
Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 2
You are sorely mistaken if you thought that that American classic, Jack Daniel’s, was only good for mixing with coke. As the largest American whiskey in the world, Jack Daniel’s has over 150 years of history to draw upon when crafting different and unique bottles. Part of what makes their liquid so smooth is the fact that it is charcoal mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal.
Their 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey was awarded 98 points, took home Double Gold, was named the Best Spirit in America, and the World Whiskey of the Year at the 2024 Bartender Spirit Awards. While you won’t be able to find that actual winning liquid in the market, their regular-release version is widely available. It’s a perfect sipping whiskey, and its complex flavors wowed the judges. Here is what they had to say about it: The nose grabs you immediately with cooked black fruits and baking spices. Incredibly smooth and complex on the palate, with raisins, dark chocolate, cinnamon, all-spice, pie crust clove, and a hint of wood.
Lasso Motel 18-Year-Old American Straight Whiskey
If you detect a theme in this list, you are not mistaken. American distillers took home three of the five top whisky prizes this year, and we aren’t even looking at bourbon. That speaks volumes to the booming craft whisky distilling scene in the United States. Hailing from a small town in Texas, Lasso Motel Whiskey is another newcomer redefining what a modern whisky house is.
The brand sources its liquid from various distillers and creates its own unique blends. It just entered the market last year with a broad lineup of bottles, but it’s their 18-year-old American Straight Whiskey that took home the 2024 Best in Show Trophy at the 2024 New York World Spirits Competition. A rich whiskey with buttery toffee and sugar notes that linger after each sip, it can be ordered online and would be a great addition to any collection.
Talisker 45-Year-Old Glacial Edge
The Talisker 45-Year-Old Glacial Edge, a rare bottling from Scotland’s legendary Talisker Distillery, was named Best in Show Whisky and Best in Show Brown Spirit at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Originating from the rugged Isle of Skye, this limited-edition single malt began its journey in the 1970s, maturing in casks for decades. Its final touch came from ice-fractured American oak Canadian whisky casks, adding layers of complexity.
First released in 2021, it’s celebrated for its symphony of smoke, spice, and fruit, evolving with every sip. The SFWSC, with over 6,000 entries from 50+ countries, uses blind tastings by expert judges to ensure unbiased assessments. The judges were blown away by it: A beautifully intricate Single Malt Scotch with aromas of dried fruits, tobacco, and briny oak, leading to a creamy palate enriched with notes of oak, banana, vanilla, sea salt, black pepper, and a touch of citrus and the sea, finishing with an impressively long and vibrant finish. While you can find a bottle on the resale market, be prepared to pay in the high five figures for it.
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