THE LAS VEGAS IWC 11th EDITION: MAY 2019 & JIM MURRAY'S PICKS

RESULTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION 2019

The International Whisky Competition® reaches out to an exciting whisky fan community on various social media channels and unique medals are designed to promote each of the winning whiskies. Their goal is to bring as many whiskies from around the world to be tasted and rated by their professional tasting panel. Unlike other competitions, their tasting panel since 2015 is presented with one whisky at a time, to ensure each whisky gets the proper attention. In-depth notes are taken at every step for review ultimately to be compiled by the tasting panel. 15 criteria are required to produce the tasting notes as well as aroma and flavour profiles for the International Whisky Guide.  It’s the only competition in the spirits world to deliver unique medals designed to promote each of the winning whiskies. Only 3 medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) are awarded per category. The Whisky of the Year (highest score during the competition) is rewarded with the Golden Barrel Trophy. 

The International Whisky Competition just released its results for this year's most respected blind tasting judging event. The top recognition, Whisky of the Year, was awarded to Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 which scored 97/100 points, the highest scoring whisky of the competition. 

The 10th edition of the International Whisky Competition took place in Las Vegas over three days, from May 15 to 17 and received whiskies from all over the world from what distilleries believe to be their very best. A world-class tasting panel comprised of whisky, spirit, beer and wine experts blind tasted each whisky on an individual basis (8 minutes per whisky). Each whisky was scored using a comprehensive 100-point scale system developed by Sebastien Gavillet, IWC Head of Tasting Panel. This process and the fact that only three medals are awarded in any category make the International Whisky Competition the most followed whisky competition and one of the most professional competitions of its kind in the world. 

Last year's Whisky of the Year was Aberlour A’Bunadh, which scored 97.4 points. Glenmorangie Distillery will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy for winning the Whisky of the Year during a ceremony to be held this summer in Tain, Scotland. 

Competition Tasting Panel

 

Adam Carmer:
- Owner of the Whisky Attic, Las Vegas, NV
- Owner of Freakin Frog, Las Vegas, NV 

Sébastien Gavillet:
- Wine Aromas - Le Nez du Vin, COO
- Discovering & Mastering Single Malt Scotch Whisky Author
- International Whisky Guide 2016, 2017 & 2018 Co-Author

Francesco Lafranconi:
- Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Executive Director of Mixology & Spirits Education

John Paddon:
- Food & Beverage Consultant, Las Vegas
- Advanced Sommelier, Level III

Debbi Peek:
- Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits, Mixologist & Training Educator, Tampa FL

Alex Renshaw:
- Founding Partner, Dogma Group
- Mixologist

Max Solano:
- Mixologist: Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Nevada

Ron Smith:
- Master BJCP Beer Judge, Certified Cicerone, Educator, Sensory Expert, Whiskey Lover, Founder of BeerMBA.com Classes and Trips

THE GOLDEN BARREL TROPHY

Designed in Switzerland and unveiled at Diageo Archive, the Golden Barrel Trophy represents the pinnacle of excellence in whisky making, showcasing two lions holding a whisky barrel just below eye-level. It is cast in bronze with 24K golden leaves on each side of the barrel. The Golden Barrel will be kept by the winner of the Whisky of the Year until the next year’s competition and the name of each winner will be engraved in its marble base to commemorate the history and record of each annual Whisky of the Year. 

WHISKY OF THE YEAR

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 (97 points)

Master Distiller of the Year
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie Distillery

Distillery of the Year
Ardbeg Distillery
Master Blender of the Year
Stephanie Macleod
John Dewar & Sons
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Struan Grant Ralph, Glenfiddich Distillery

SCOTLAND: SCOTCH WHISKY

Best Single Malt Whisky
1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 (97 pts)
2nd Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993 (96.6 pts)
3rd Place: Ardbeg An Oa (95.3 pts) 

Best Single Malt Scotch NAS (No Age Statement)
1st Place: Ardbeg An Oa (95.3 pts)
2nd Place: Kilchoman Sanaig (95.1 pts)
3rd Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (95 pts) 

Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old
1st Place: Ardbeg 10 Year Old (92 pts)
2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year Old (90.2 pts)
3rd Place: Springbank 10 Year Old (90 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Year Old
1st Place: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old (93.4 pts)
2nd Place: Aberlour 12 Year Old (91.8 pts)
3rd Place: The Glenlivet 12 Year Old (90 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 13-17 Year Old

1st Place: The Glenlivet 14 Year Old (92 pts)
2nd Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old (91.9 pts)
3rd Place: Aberlour 16 Year Old (90.7 pts) 

Best Single Malt Scotch 18 Year Old
1st Place: Aberlour 18 Year Old (94.5 pts)
2nd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old (94.2 pts)
3rd Place: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old (90.8 pts) 

Best Single Malt Scotch 19-24 Year Old
1st Place: Glenmorangie 19 Year Old (92.5 pts) 

Best Single Malt Scotch 25 Year Old and Over
1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 (97 pts)
2nd Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993 (96.6 pts) 

Best Islay Single Malt
1st Place: Ardbeg An Oa (95.3 pts)
2nd Place: Kilchoman Sanaig (95.1 pts)
3rd Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (95 pts) 

Best Highland Single Malt
1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 (97 pts)
2nd Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993 (96.6 pts)
3rd Place: Aberlour 18 Year Old (94.5 pts) 

Best Speyside Single Malt
1st Place: The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso (94.4 pts)
2nd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old (94.2 pts)
3rd Place: The Glenlivet 14 Year Old (92 pts) 

Best Lowland Single Malt
1st Place: 1770 Glasgow Single Malt Scotch Whisky (90.5 pts) 

Best Cask Strength (over 57% ABV)
1st Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (95 pts)
2nd Place: The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso (94.4 pts)
3rd Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh Batch 58 (93.3 pts) 

Best Peated Whisky
1st Place: Ardbeg An Oa (95.3 pts)
2nd Place: Kilchoman Sanaig (95.1 pts)
3rd Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (95 pts) 

Best Blended Scotch Whisky
1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old (94.3 pts)
2nd Place: Dewar's 25 Years Old (93.2 pts)
3rd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old (92.6 pts) 

Best Blended Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old
1st Place: Chivas Regal 12 Years Old (88.8 pts)
2nd Place: Dewar's 12 Years Old (86.5 pts)
3rd Place: Label 5 12 Year Old (85.5 pts) 

Best Blended Scotch Whisky 15 Year Old
1st Place: Dewar's 15 Years Old (90.2 pts) 

Best Blended Scotch Whisky 18 Year Old
1st Place: Chivas Regal 18 Year Old (90.8 pts)
2nd Place: Dewar's 18 Year Old The Vintage Malt (90.3 pts) 

Best Blended Scotch Over 20 Year Old
1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old (94.3 pts)
2nd Place: Dewar's 25 Years Old (93.2 pts)
3rd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old (92.6 pts) 

Best Blended Malt Scotch
1st Place: Gerston - Classic Selection (The Lost Distillery Company) (90.7 pts) 

Best Value Scotch (Under $30)
1st Place: John Barr (88.6 pts)
2nd Place: Dewar’s White Label (88.5 pts)
3rd Place: Label 5 Gold Heritage (87 pts)

 

JIM MURRAY’S PICKS OF 2019 : SCOTCH WHISKY

Scotch Whisky of the Year

Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks)

Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask)

The Last Drop Glenrothes 1969 Cask 16207

Scotch Blend of the Year

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old

Scotch Grain of the Year

Berry Bros & Rudd Cambus 26 Years Old

Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year

Collectivum XXVIII Single Malt Scotch

No Age Statement

Laphroaig Lore

10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks)

Laphroaig 10 Year Old

10 Years & Under (Single Cask)

Berry Bros & Rudd Ardmore 9 Year Old

11-15 Years (Multiple Casks)

Lagavulin 12 Year Old 17th Release Special Releases 2017

11-15 Years (Single Cask)

Cadenhead’s Rum Cask Mortlach 14 Year Old

16-21 Years (Multiple Casks)

Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

16-21 Years (Single Cask)

Bowmore 19 Year Old The Feis Ile Collection

22-27 Years (Multiple Casks)

Talisker 25 Year Old Bot.2017

22-27 Years (Single Cask)

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Glen Grant Cask 9.128 24 Year Old

28-34 Years (Multiple Casks)

Convalmore 32 Year Old

28-34 Years (Single Cask)

Gleann Mor Port Ellen Aged 33 Year Old

35-40 Years (Multiple Casks)

Benromach 39 Year Old 1977 Vintage

35-40 Years (Single Cask)

Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1979

BLENDED SCOTCH

No Age Statement (Standard)

Ballantine’s Finest

5-12 Years

Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old

13-18 Years

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old

19 – 25 Years

Royal Salute 21 Year Old

26 – 50 Years

Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns