Earlier this year, we reviewed Booker’s Rye and gave it a rare five-star review. Turns out, we’re not alone in our love for this whiskey, as Jim Murray’s 2017 Whisky Bible has just named it the best in the world. Each year, the writer and expert tastes and rates thousands of whiskeys for his annual tome. Last year, the top whiskey was a controversial pick, with the designation going to Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. This year should draw fewer complaints, but scotch lovers may be disappointed by the country’s drought, missing out on the top spot for three straight years.
Murray described Booker’s 13 Year Old Rye as having a “brain-draining, mind-blowing” nose and “amazing depth.” Overall, he called it a “staggering example of a magnificent rye.” That’s some high praise, and all that led to a score of 97.5/100 points.
Other big winners go to Glen Grant 18 (Scotch whisky of the year), William Larue Weller 2015 Release (bourbon of the year), Redbreast 21 (Irish whisky of the year) and Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016 (Japanese whisky of the year).
It’s up to you how much stock you want to put into one man’s ratings, but at the very least, it’s a great way to uncover some lesser known whiskeys and update your to-drink list with some fine bottles.
You can see the full list of winners here.
