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 any other real competition. So far, no whisky has won this competition 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 ____________________________________________________________ 1.) Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1989 Mortlach 31-Year-Old - 54.2% ABV - 97.1 Pts 2.) Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky - 96.95 Pts 3.) Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 1997 23-Year-Old - 59.9% ABV - 95.9 Pts 4.) Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky - 95.5 Pts 5.) George T. Stagg - 95.3 Pts 6.) Kavalan Distillery Reserve Madeira Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky - 94.9 Pts 7.) Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky - 94.8 Pts 8.) Glenmorangie The Accord - 12 Year Old - 94.6 Pts 9.) Stagg - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - 94.4 Pts 10.) Ardbeg BizzareBQ - 94.2 Pts 11.) Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky - 94 Pts 12.) Dewar's Double Double - 37 Years Old - 93.8 Pts 13.) Stauning KAOS - Triple Malt Whisky - 93.75 Pts 13.) Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky - 93.75 Pts 15.) Ardbeg Corryvreckan - 93.7 Pts 16.) Timah Double Peated Blended Whiskey - 93.4 Pts 17.) Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky - 93.38 Pts 18.) Whisky entered for evaluation purpose only - 93.35 Pts 19.) Stranahan's Sherry Cask - 93.33 Pts 20.) Whisky entered for evaluation purpose only - 93.28 Pts 20.) William Larue Weller - 93.28 Pts 22.) Royal Brackla OLOROSO - 12 Year Old - 93.2 Pts 23.) Stranahan's Mountain Angel 10 year - 92.9 Pts 24.) Dewar's Double Double - 21 Years Old - 92.85 Pts 25.) Olde Stogie - Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Armagnac & Tawny Port Casks - 92.8 Pts 26.) Maker's Mark 101 - 92.77 Pts 27.) Olde Raleigh Whiskey Society Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in a Honey Barrel - 92.75 Pts 28.) Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey - Barrel #028 -92.68 Pts 29.) Dewar's Double Double - 32 Years Old - 92.63 Pts 30.) The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch; The Sample Room Collection - 92.58 Pts 31.) Dewar's Portuguese Smooth - 8 Years Old - 92.53 Pts 31.) Benromach 15 - 92.53 Pts 33.) Glenmorangie The Tribute - 92.45 Pts 33.) Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban - 92.45 Pts 35.) Aberlour Casg Annamh - 92.4 Pts 36.) Ardbeg An Oa - 92.3 Pts 37.) Aberlour A'Bundah - 92.28 Pts 38.) Aberfeldy 21 - Red Wine Cask St. Emillion - 92.15 Pts 39.) Aberlour 18 - 92.13 Pts 40.) Aberfeldy Madeira Cask - 21 Year Old - 92.08 Pts 41.) Aberlour 12 - 92 Pts 42.) Imperial 12 Year Old Blended Scotch - 91.95 Pts 43.) Ardbeg Wee Beastie - 5 Year Old - 91.93 Pts 44.) Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or - 12 Year Old - 91.88 Pts 44.) Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky - 91.88 Pts 46.) Dewar's French Smooth - 8 Years Old - 91.83 Pts 47.) 1792 Full Proof- 91.73 Pts 48.) Five Trail Cask Finish - 91.6 Pts 48.) Maker's Mark Private Select Mustang's #5 - 91.6 Pts 50.) Hatozaki Small Batch - 91.50 Pts 51.) Ardbeg 8 Year Old for Discussion - 91.43 Pts 52.) Amrut - Indian Single Malt Cask Strength - 91.33 Pts 52.) Giant Texas Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey - 91.33 Pts 52.) Paul Sutton Bourbon - 91.33 Pts 55.) Dewar's White Label - 91.3 Pts 56.) Kavalan Distillery Select No.1 Single Malt Whisky - 91.25 Pts 57.) Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate Batch #3 - 91.2 Pts 58.) Dewar's Double Double - 36 Years Old - 91.18 Pts 59.) Ardbeg Uigeadail - 91.1 Pts 60.) King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky - 91.08 Pts 61.) Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Committee Release - 91.05 Pts 61.) Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Batch 017 - 91.05 Pts 63.) Dewar's 19 Years Old - The Champions Edition - 123 U.S Open - 91 Pts 64.) Dewar's Double Double 30 - 30 Years Old - 90.93 Pts 65.) Brother Justus American Single Malt Cold-Peated Whiskey - 90.88 Pts 66.) The Glenlivet 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch; The Sample Room Collection - 90.85 Pts 66.) Glenmorangie Lasanta - 90.85 Pts 68.) Ardbeg Heavy Vapours General Release -90.8 Pts 69.) Aberlour A'bunadh Alba - 90.78 Pts 69.) The Glenlivet 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch - 90.78 Pts 71.) Godawan Single Malt Rich and Rounded Artisan Whisky - 90.75 Pts 72 ) Royal Brackla OLOROSO - PALO CORTADO & PERDO XIMENEZ - 21 Year Old - 90.7 Pts 72.) Dewar's Ilegal Smooth - 8 Years Old - 90.7 Pts 74.) Dewar's Japanese Smooth - 8 Years Old - 90.48 Pts 74.) Whisky entered for evaluation purpose only - 90.48 Pts 76.) W.L. Weller - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - 90.45 Pts 76.) Eagle Rare 10 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - 90.45 Pts 78.) The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch - 90.43 Pts 79.) The Taoscán by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. – 90.4 Pts 80.) Ardbeg Smoketrails Batch #1 - 90.25 Pts 80.) Eagle Rare 17 Year Old - Fall 2022 - 90.25 Pts 82.) Dewar's Caribbean Smooth - 8 Years Old - 90.23 Pts 83.) Dewar's 15 Years Old - 90.2 Pts 84.) Sazerac 18 Year Old - Fall 2022 - 90.18 Pts 85.) Aberlour 16 - 90.15 Pts 85.) Tenjaku Blended Whisky - 90.15 Pts 87.) W.L. Weller Antique-Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - 90.13 Pts 88.) Stranahan's Diamond Peak - 90.08 Pts 89.) Dewar's Double Double 26 - 26 Years Old - 90.05 Pts 90.) Glenmorangie Elementa - 90.03 Pts 90.) 1792 Small Batch - 90.03 Pts 92.) Bushmills Black Bush - 90 Pts 92.) Ardbeg 25 Year Old - 90 Pts 92.) Aberfeldy Madeira Cask - 16 Year Old - 90 Pts Glenmorangie The Accord 12 YO 43% ABV This whisky is one of three that form the core range of travel retail exclusive single malts from the north Highland distillery of Glenmorangie, the other pair being The Elementa and the 16 YO Tribute. They were launched in Autumn 2021 as the world began travelling again following 18 months of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. They are easily available in Duty Free Stores globally. The Accord is bottled at 12 years old and 43% ABV, and is a classic marriage of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry barrels. It costs £59/ $79 US. Glenmorangie has an annual production capacity of six million litres and the stills are the tallest in Scotland. They stand at over five metres (16.5 feet) tall. It also uses the hardest water of any Scotch whisky distillery in production - from the nearby Tarlogie Springs. The distillery and brand are currently owned by Moet Hennessy. Tasting Notes: Appearance: The colour is deep golden yellow with a hint of amber. Nose: The nose is rich and fruity. Aromas of toffee, caramel and dried fruits (especially raisin and candied orange) rise first. They are followed by further aromas of dried apple, cereal bars, heather honey and a hint of almond. Palate: On the palate this whisky follows a similar path to the nose. It is rich and fruity. Juicy dried fruits (think of raisin and sultana), crumbly brown sugar and caramel notes lead the way. These are joined by candied orange peel and hints of marzipan and milk chocolate. There is also a background green vegetal note that is difficult to pinpoint. A distinct woodiness comes through early on and evolves well. This gives grip and a drying oaky quality, which is accentuated with a pinch of baking spice. The Finish: The finish continues on this theme and this adds to the length. Hints of wood and leather are followed by subtly spiced notes of nutmeg, clove and ginger. |
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