THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION 2023
The International Whisky Competition is the world’s most-followed whisky competition and reaches out to the whisky community on various social media channels and unique medals are designed to promote each of the winning whiskies. First 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, just like in the Olympics or any other real competition. So far, no whisky has won this competion back-to-back yet.
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, judges are 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 committee.
The International Whisky Competition take place in mid-May annually, and presents Unique medals! Only 3 medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) per category. Just like in the Olympics, not everyone can be a winner nor should. Category winners (excluding flavoured and Ready To Drink) must score above 85 points to be eligible for a medal.
This event first took place in Chicago, but has moved through many prominent cities over the years. In this competition, whiskies are blind tasted and rated by a professional tasting panel. The results are used to produce tasting notes for an International Whisky Guide.
Whiskies are sampled individually and judges are given 5 minutes to blind taste, judge, and score each whisky. A 100 point scoring system is used adopting the following four criteria:
Sight
Colour (0 points)
Visual appeal (5 points)
Nose
Intensity and complexity (15 points)
Distinctiveness of aromas (10 points)
Balance of aromas (10 points)
Taste-Mouth Feel
Palate and balance (10 points)
Alcohol, body and complexity (10 points)
Distinctiveness of flavours (10 points)
Balance between flavours (10 points)
Finish
Length and finish (10 points)
Quality of finish (10 points)
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. 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 next year’s competition and the name
of each winner will be engraved in its marble base to commemorate the history
of each annual Whisky of the Year. Basically, the Golden Barrel is to whisky what
the World Cup is to Soccer or Cricket. You are on the global whisky map forever!
WHISKY OF THE YEAR
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Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1989 Mortlach 31-Year-Old – 54.2% ABV – (97.1 points) The Gordon and MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 31 Year Old from Mortlach Distillery, distilled in 1989, has been awarded the prestigious title of 'Whisky of the Year' at the 2023 International Whisky Competition, which was held this year in Bardstown, Kentucky. This achievement underscores the company's unwavering commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation in the art of combining oak, spirit and time to create single malts using their own casks. New make spirit from Mortlach Distillery was filled into cask 4303 a refill sherry hogshead in 1989 and selected for bottling by Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director at Gordon & MacPhail 31 years later. This exquisite whisky, matured in hand-selected casks and finished in a refill Sherry Hogshead exhibits the true essence of the Mortlach character, and the savoir-faire of the Gordon and MacPhail's expertise, offering a complex array of rich fruit, chocolate, and subtle spice flavours that culminate in a stunningly long and warming finish. Gordon and MacPhail will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy during a ceremony to be held this fall in Elgin, Scotland. TOP AWARDS Master Distiller of the Year Golden Barrel Trophy Distillery of the Year Master Blender of the Year TOP 15 Whiskies of 20231. Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1989 Mortlach 31-Year-Old - 54.2% ABV – 97.1 Pts (Speyside, Scotland) 2. Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 96.95 Pts (Taiwan) 3. Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 1997 23-Year-Old - 59.9% ABV – 95.9 Pts (Islay, Scotland) 4. Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky – 95.5 Pts (Taiwan) 5. George T. Stagg – 95.3 Pts (Kentucky, USA) 6. Kavalan Distillery Reserve Madeira Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 94.9 Pts (Taiwan) 7. Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 94.8 Pts (Taiwan) 8. Glenmorangie The Accord - 12 Year Old – 94.6 Pts (Highland, Scotland) 9. Stagg - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 94.4 Pts (Kentucky, USA) 10. Ardbeg BizzareBQ – 94.2 Pts (Islay, Scotland) 11. Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky – 94 Pts (Taiwan) 12. Dewar's Double Double - 37 Years Old – 93.8 Pts (Scotland) 13. Stauning KAOS - Triple Malt Whisky – 93.75 Pts (Denmark) 13. Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.75 Pts (Taiwan) 15. Ardbeg Corryvreckan – 93.65 Pts (Islay, Scotland) At the bottom of this page, I have featured all the whiskies which scored 90 points and above. Note: Whiskies that scored under 85 points are not listed or featured unless so requested by the competing distillery. SCOTLANDBest Single Malt Scotch Best New Scotch Release Best Single Malt Scotch NAS (No Age Statement) Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 13-14 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 15 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 16-17 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 18 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 19-24 Year Old Best Single Malt Scotch 25 Year Old And Over Best Peated Single Malt Best Islay Single Malt Best Highland Single Malt Best Speyside Single Malt Best Lowland Single Malt Best Cask Strength Scotch Best Blended Scotch Best Blended Scotch 10 Year and Under Best Blended Scotch 12 Year Old Best Blended Scotch 20-24 Year Old Best Blended Scotch 25 Year Old And Over Best Blended Scotch - NAS IRELAND Best Irish Whiskey Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey Best Blended Irish Whiskey JAPANBest Japanese Whisky Best Pure Malt Japanese Whiskey Best Blended Japanese Whiskey WORLDBest World Whisky Best World Whisky - Cask Strength * All countries which are not represented with their own categories. Must score 85 Pts and above to be listed. Best European Whisky Best Indian Whisky Best Malaysia Whisky __________________________________________________________ 2023 Whiskies Scoring Over 90 Points1.) Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1989 Mortlach 31-Year-Old - 54.2% ABV - 97.1 Pts
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