Each year, Whisky Magazine holds the World Whiskies Awards, crowning the globe’s best expressions across a range of categories. In 2014, more than 300 whiskeys entered the competition, each vying for the title of world’s best. So after the enviable task of evaluating each one, the results are in. Let’s see how the competitors fared this year.
World’s Best Single Malt Whisky
Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask
Hailing from Tasmania, Sullivans Cove produces a handful of solid whiskies. But none better than their French Oak Cask. This rich spirit is full of dark chocolate, dark fruits, toffee and spice. 47.5% ABV
World’s Best American Whiskey
Balcones Brimstone Resurrection
Balcones continues to rack up the awards, this time earning recognition for the 5th Anniversary edition of its Brimstone Whisky, dubbed Resurrection. This cask strength corn whisky is non chill filtered and oak smoked, resulting in huge flavors of charred wood, fruit and smoke. 64.5% ABV
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky
Taketsuru 17 Years Old
A fine Japanese pure malt whisky aged in a combination of casks, including sherry. The result is a balanced blend of oak, toffee and spice. 43% ABV
World’s Best Blended Whisky
The Lost Distilleries Blend
This fun blend joins stocks from lost distilleries for an extremely small batch output and a rare drinking opportunity. The whisky is full of smoke, fruit and honeyed cream. If you can get your hands on a bottle, by all means, do so. 53.2% ABV
World’s Best Canadian Whisky
Pike Creek 10 Years Old
Pike Creek is aged in used bourbon barrels before being finished in port casks. There’s a lot going on here, with flavors ranging from dark fruit and toffee to ginger, citrus and mint. It’s hands down one of our favorite Canadians. 40% ABV
World’s Best Flavored Whisky
Sons of Liberty Pumpkin Spice
This flavored whisky is part of the Sons of Liberty flavored lineup. The Rhode Island grown pumpkins complement the spirit’s traditional winter spices, including clove, allspice, vanilla and cinnamon. 40% ABV
World’s Best Grain Whisky
Teeling Single Grain
A fresh and lively whiskey made unique by its aging in Cabernet Sauvignon casks. It’s full of fruit, spice and sweet grains. 46% ABV
World’s Best Whisky Liqueur
Master of Malt Speyside Whisky Liqueur 40 Years Old
A two-time winner of this award, the Master of Malt Speyside Whisky Liqueur is made exclusively with 40 year old single malt. After reaching maturity, it’s seasoned lightly with a handful of ingredients, including cinnamon, orange peel and cloves. 43% ABV
World’s Best Pot Still Whiskey 2014
Redbreast 15 Years Old
The Redbreast portfolio comprises some of our favorite Irish Whiskeys. The 15 Year is a delightful expression with lots of oak, caramel, fruit and spice, plus figs, toffee and one extraordinary mouthfeel. 46% ABV
World’s Best Rye Whisky
Thomas H Handy Sazerac Rye
This monster of a rye whiskey is uncut and unfiltered. It’s powerful and spicy, with flavors including toffee, figs, candied fruit, cloves and nutmeg. 64.2%
That sums things up. But for more details, check out all the 2014 winners.
