The Top American Whiskies From The 2023 Beverage Testing Institute Judging

Forbes Lifestyle Spirits The Top American Whiskies From The 2023 Beverage Testing Institute Judging Joseph V Micallef Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world Following Aug 15, 2023, 01:15am EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Wilderness Trail, Bottled in Bond, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml Photo courtesy Beverage Testing Institute The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) has just released the results of their North American whiskey judging. North American whiskeys cover American, Canadian, and Mexican whiskeys.

Six whiskeys scored a coveted Platinum Medal–Superlative, while 98 received a Gold medal. Not surprisingly, American whiskeys dominated the results, sweeping all of the Platinum medals and almost all of the Gold medals. The winners were a surprising mix of old stalwarts, up-and-coming craft distillers, and independent bottlers.

The medalists also included some exceptionally low-priced whiskeys. BTI reviews and scores, on a hundred-point scale, thousands of beverages each year. This activity makes it more like a conventional wines and spirits competition.

The Chicago-based organization, however, plays a dual role in the beverage industry. It also functions as a consultancy that, in its own words, utilizes: Exceptional methodology, proprietary tools, and decades of experience offer research, development, and marketing services that protect large investments, elevate brand reputations, optimize market reception, and engage consumers. In the beverage industry, this dual role is unprecedented.

BTI’s evaluations and advice are closely followed in the drinks industry by global wine and spirit companies, recently established craft spirit producers, and consumers worldwide. MORE FOR YOU The 8 Best Rooftop Tents To Help You Roam And Rest In Comfort The 10 Best Hotels In Atlantic City 5 New Walking Trips For 2024 The top-ranked North American whiskeys, each scoring 97/100 points, were Wilderness Trail, Bottled in Bond, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml and Larceny Barrel Proof, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch No B523, 62. 2% ABV, 750 ml.

Both whiskeys retail for under $60/bottle, an exceptional price for arguably two of the best American whiskeys available today. The BTI Judging Panel described the Wilderness Trail Rye Whiskey as featuring: A warm bread yeast nose of fresh soda bread studded with raisins and roasted walnuts on the nose. Carob and tamari aromas enter the aromatic sphere against a backdrop of finely conditioned leather and wood.

The first taste congers memories of frosted Raisin Bran cereal followed by chocolate mint cookies and orange blossom honey on fresh buttered brioche. There is a faint grassy tone to the rye, like caramelized oven-roasted Brussel Sprouts. A delicious and complex rye with lovely layers of flavor that evolve in the glass, as exceptional spirits are wont to do.

The Larceny Proof, on the other hand, was described by the BTI judging panel as exhibiting: Concentrated and bright barrel notes on the nose suggest dark roasted nuts, peaches, yams, and carob powder. Secondary aromas are resinous with sappy cedar, sandalwood, and sweet rum-dipped cigar tobacco. The palate pops with fruity sweetness and spice, calling to mind an orange-mango chutney and browned baking spices on vanilla crème brûlée.

The finish and retro nasal leave a green herbaceous lift of wheatgrass and eucalyptus leaves. A powerfully delicious, world-class Bourbon with dazzling depth, vitality, and length. Wilderness Trail Distillery is headquartered in Danville, Kentucky.

Started in 2012 by Shane Baker and Pat Heist, Campari recently acquired it. Larceny Barrel Proof, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch No B523, 62. 2% ABV, 750 ml.

Photo courtesy Beverage Testing Institute Larceny, conversely, is a historic brand with deep roots in the history of American bourbon. It is a wheated bourbon produced and bottled at the Old Fitzerald Distillery. Once owned by Pappy van Winkle himself, the distillery was acquired by Heaven Hill in 1999.

Its association with Pappy van Winkle, and the fact that it is also a wheated bourbon, has led some to call Larceny the “poor man’s Pappy. ” The mash bill for Larceny, however, is slightly different from Pappy. Larceny’s mash bill comprises 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.

The original Stitzel-Weller mash bill, on which Pappy is believed to be still based, was 75% corn, 20% wheat, and 5% malted barley. Considering that Pappy sells on average for about 40 times the price of Larceny, most consumers would find that the cost advantage more than outweighs the differences in aroma and flavor. Four whiskeys scored 96/100 points, rounding out the rest of the Platinum medal winners: Old Potrero 6 YO Copper Pot Still Straight Rye Whiskey, 48.

5% ABV, 750 ml; Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch No. B523, 62. 1% ABV, 750 ml; Heaven Hill 7 YO Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Doc Swinson’s 5 YO Exploratory Cask Bossa Nova Cask–Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey .

Old Potrero is part of the Anchor Distilling company founded by beer legend Fritz Maytag in 1993. The pot-distilled whiskey is made from a mash bill of 100% malted rye and is produced by Hotaling and Company at its San Francisco’s Potrero Hill distillery. Old Potrero 6 YO Copper Pot Still Straight Rye Whiskey, 48.

5% ABV, 750 ml Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute The BTI judging panel described the whiskey as exhibiting: Raisin Bran, banana nut muffins, and apple pastries on rye dough fill the nostrils with a faintly earthy aroma of leather, saddle soap, and mink oil. A menagerie of caramelized spiced fruits fills the palate with dominant orange, mint, suede, chai, and rooibos flavors. A sensational, flavor-packed Straight Rye that captures all of the complex spiciness, verdant earthiness, and nuance that rye grain is capable of delivering in a copper pot still whiskey.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch No. B523, 62. 1% ABV, 750 ml Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute Elijah Craig is another whiskey brand that has deep roots in the history of American whiskey; indeed, the two are virtually inseparable.

The company has long claimed that its founder, the Reverand Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, was the first American distiller, in 1789, to age his bourbon in newly charred oak barrels. However, his motivation for doing so, whether it was a fortuitous error or inspiration, remains hotly contested. The BTI Judging Panel described the Elijah Craig whiskey as featuring: Vibrant notes of sweet grain and barrel spring forth from the glass as chocolate-covered toffee, roast espresso bean, and caramelized maple, with hints of frosted golden raisin scone and sweet dill pickle spice.

The palate first shows the sweet grains as peanut brittle and then vanilla flan with hints of cinnamon spice and mint. Honeyed raisin toast accompanied by some star anise in black tea lingers on the finish. An impressively balanced Bourbon with massive, tightly meshed flavors and nearly seamless integration of alcohol at barrel strength.

Wonderful. Heaven Hill 7 YO Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute Heaven Hill boasts another historic name in the constellation of American whiskey producers. The Shapira family-owned company has been in business since 1935.

However, Heaven Hill’s acquisition of the landmark Bernheim distillery from United Distillers in 1999 tripled their production capacity and catapulted the company to the upper echelons of American whiskey producers. Among their brands are such iconic names as Old Fitzgerald, Elijah Craig, Even Williams, Heaven Hill, Henry McKenna, and J. W.

Dant. The BTI Judging Panel described the Heaven Hill whiskey as showing: A woodsy black walnut and fudge aroma gives way to Belgian waffles topped with strawberries, bananas, pistachio nougat, vanilla gelato, and maple syrup. The palate shifts to a decadently concentrated rootbeer float with natural sassafras root, peanut brittle, and almond cookies.

Finishing with an ethereal dried herb and lavender tea hovering on the retro nasal sensation. A vivacious, rich, and nicely layered Bottle-in-Bond Bourbon that delivers everything you want in a fine-sipping whiskey that can be used in high-end cocktails. Doc Swinson’s 5 YO Exploratory Cask Bossa Nova Cask–Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute Doc Swinson’s is a brand owned by Distiller’s Way LLC. Based in Ferndale, Washington, the company is an independent bottler that blends, finishes, and bottles American-sourced whiskey. Swinson’s has earned a well-deserved reputation for being among the most creative and innovative American whiskey bottlers.

The BTI judging panel described the bourbon whiskey as exhibiting: Opening aromas of gingerbread and tonka bean with some bison grass on the nose. Sweet and earthy, like a carrot cake or candied yams with tapioca pudding, baked figs, and a light lavender emulsion. The palate adds more richness with coconut caramel cream, tarragon baklava, and Bananas Foster topped with macadamia gelato.

A wonderfully distinctive and exotic cask-finished bourbon that summons forth a cornucopia of tropical fruits, spices, and confections to carry you away with grace and power. Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Finished American Single Malt, 45% ABV, 750 ml Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Finished American Single Malt, 45% ABV, 750 ml , was the highest-rated American single malt whiskey. It scored 95/100 points, just missing out on a Platinum medal.

Colorado-based Stranahan is one of the shining lights of the American Single Malt fraternity. Its Sherry-finished single malt whiskey is stunning and can compete against Scotland’s best. At a recommended price of $69, it’s also an exceptional value.

The BTI Judging Panel called Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey “a benchmark example of American Single Malt with Sherry cask aging. ” They described it as featuring: Cinnamon, ginger, and potpourri on the nose. Similar palate flavors along with cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa-dusted candied orange, honeyed barley, sweet baking spices, and layers of red and orchard fruits.

Uncle Nearest Master Whiskey Blend Edition, Tennessee Whiskey Blend No. 017, 60. 5% ABV, 750 ml Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute Uncle Nearest Master Whiskey Blend Edition, Tennessee Whiskey Blend No.

017, 60. 5% ABV, 750 ml, was the top-rated Tennessee Whiskey. It scored 94/100 points.

The BTI Judging panel called it “Good ole’ Tennessee Whiskey giving Kentucky a run for its money. ” They described it as showing aromas of: Fruit cake with creme anglaise, praline, and waffle cone with whipped cream on the nose. The palate featured additional notes of cherry cola float, chocolate toffee, and orange blossom honey; big, rich, bold, and packed with flavor without losing focus.

Abasolo Corn Whiskey, 53% ABV, 750 ml. Photo, courtesy Beverage Testing Institute The highest-rated Mexican whiskey was Abasolo Corn Whiskey, 53% ABV, 750 ml. It scored 94/100 points.

It was also the highest-rated corn whiskey. Mexico is becoming a hotbed of whiskey production using ancestral corn varieties. Look for Mexican whiskeys to become increasingly prominent in North America.

The BTI Judging panel described Abasolo as exhibiting aromas of: Yeasty starter dough, cornbread in a hot cast iron pan, and corn meal in a burlap sack on the nose. The palate showed the same flavors with additional nuances of honeyed jalapeño corn muffin, white port, and citric acid. A feisty, earthy Corn Whiskey ready to rumble in turbocharged cocktails and shots.

The top-ranked Flavored Whiskey was Ole Smoky Peanut Butter Flavored Whiskey, 30% ABV, 750 ml. It scored 94/100 points. The BTI Judging panel described it as featuring: Roasted peanut, peanut brittle, and toffee on the nose.

There were flavors of peanut butter, peanut brittle, and roasted peanuts on the palate. Excellent roasted peanut flavor while maintaining some of the base spirit Whiskey notes. The top-ranked Canadian Whisky was Pendleton Midnight Brandy Barrel Finished Blended Canadian Whisky, 45% ABV, 750 ml.

Although Pendelton is a US-based company, its Canadian whisky is produced by Alberta Distillers in Calgary, Alberta. It scored 92/100 points. The BTI Judging Panel described it as showing: Aromas of dark chocolate muffin with almonds, wrapper, and coffee ice milk on the nose.

The palate had similar flavors and accents of brandy-dipped fruit cake, baking spices, and pink peppercorn. A generous and gratifying Canadian Whisky with lovely layers of chocolate, nuts, and fruit and a long warming finish. The 2023 BTI North American Whiskey judging highlighted some outstanding whiskeys.

Remarkably, all six Platinum winners retail for $80 or less, and many can often be found on sale for under $50. Compelling proof that exceptional quality need not command a premium price. Moreover, it begs the question: what exactly are you paying for in those $1,000+/bottle whiskeys? That’s especially true for the recent rash of custom bottlings of overpriced whiskeys by “producers” who have little if any experience making whiskey and are hiring independent blenders to create a whiskey for them.

These expressions are little more than ridiculously overpriced vanity projects. Never was the dictum caveat emptor more appropriate! There is much to explore among BTI’s whiskey medalists. See the Beverage Testing Institute website for a complete listing of all the medalists.

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