THE 2020 INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION COLORADO

2020 International Whisky Competition Official Results 

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 11th Edition of the International Whisky Competition was relocated from Las Vegas, Nevada to the mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado for the safety of the judges and staff. The event was staged on 30 June, 2020.

“The Olympics of whisky competitions.” - Jim McEwan, Master Distiller.

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. It was launched in 2010 for whisky consumers, distillers and people behind the scene making whiskies. The mission was to create a true competition by offering only 3 medals per category, like in the Olympics or any other real competition.

Their goal is to bring the best whiskies from around the world to be tasted and rated by their professional tasting panel. Unlike other competitions, since 2015, the tasting panel 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.

Unique medals! Only 3 medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) per category. Just like in the Olympics, we believe not everyone can be a winner.

Whisky of the Year
Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old (96.4 points)

 Master Blender of the Year

Stephanie Macleod
John Dewar & Sons

Golden Barrel Trophy
John Dewar and Sons

Master Distiller of the Year
Dr Bill Lumsden
Glenmorangie Distillery

Distillery of the Year
Ardbeg Distillery

SCOTLAND

Best Single Malt Scotch

1st Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (96.1 pts)

2nd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Edition (94.23 pts)

3rd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack (94.20 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch NAS (No Age Statement)

1st Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (96.1 pts)

2nd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Edition (94.23 pts)

3rd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack (94.20 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old

1st Place: Ardbeg Wee Beastie (92.6 pts)

2nd Place: Glen Turner Rum Cask Finish

Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old

1st Place: Edradour 10 Year Old (90.0 pts)

2nd Place: Ardbeg 10 Year Old (89.1 pts)

3rd Place: The Cooper (88.5 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Year Old

1st Place: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old (91.8 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Accord (90.4 pts)

3rd Place: Aberlour 12 Year Old (88.7 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 13-14 Year Old

1st Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old (92.2 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Elementa (86.7 pts)

3rd Place: The Glenlivet 14 Year Old (85.7 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 15 Year Old

1st Place: The Glenlivet 15 Year Old (89.9 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate (87.7 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 16-17 Year Old

1st Place: Aberlour 16 Year Old (89.7 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Tribute (89.1 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 18 Year Old

1st Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old (92.6 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old (91.7 pts)

3rd Place: Aberlour 18 Year Old (89.9 pts)

Best Single Malt Scotch 19-25 Year Old

1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1996 (92.4 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1995 (91.40 pts)

3rd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (91.37 pts)

Best Islay Single Malt

1st Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (96.1 pts)

2nd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Edition (94.23 pts)

3rd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack (94.20 pts)

Best Highland Single Malt

1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1996 (92.4 pts)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old (92.2 pts)

3rd Place: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old (91.8 pts)

Best Speyside Single Malt:

1st Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old (92.6 pts)

2nd Place: The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve (90.2 pts)

3rd Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh (90.1 pts)

Best Lowland Single Malt:

1st Place: 1770 Glasgow Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Peated Release No.1 (87.9 pts)

2nd Place: 1770 Glasgow Single Malt Scotch Whisky – The Original 2019 Release

3rd Place: Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

Best Cask Strength Scotch (Over 57% ABV)

1st Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (96.1 pts)

2nd Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh (90.1 pts)

3rd Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh Alba (87.9 pts)

Best Peated Scotch

1st Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan (96.1 pts)

2nd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Edition (94.23 pts)

3rd Place: Ardbeg Blaaack (94.20 pts)

Best Blended Scotch

1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old (96.4 pts)

2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old (92.9 pts)

3rd Place: Dewar’s 25 Year Old The Signature (92.8 pts)

Best Blended Scotch Under 10 Year Old

1st Place: Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth (88.6 pts)

2nd Place: Dewar’s Ilegal Smooth (87.9 pts)

Best Blended Scotch 12-15 Year Old

1st Place: Dewar’s 12 Year Old The Ancestor (90.4 pts)

2nd Place: Imperial 12 Year Old (89.2 pts)

3rd Place: Dewar’s 15 Year Old The Monarch (88.0 pts)

Best Blended Scotch 16-20 Year Old

1st Place: Dewar’s 18 Year Old The Vintage (85.9 pts)

Best Blended Scotch 21-24 Year Old

1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old (91.9 pts)

Best Blended Scotch 25 Year Old And Over

1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old (96.4 pts)

2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old (92.9 pts)

3rd Place: Dewar’s 25 Year Old The Signature (92.8 pts)

Full results are available at :

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52519938e4b085346bbec0e2/t/5efe38554c0f85227cb92a33/1593718887695/2020-IWC+Official+Results+v.11.pdf