March 26th, 2020
London, UK
The most important event in the whisky world just happened in London, UK, to highlight the best of the best expressions of the year. Many producers, retailers and other professionals were supposed to gather at the 2020 edition of the World Whisky Awards, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony was done remotely, online, everyone watching safely at home.
The selection process was operated by a panel of worldwide experts who tasted all the samples blindly in three rounds. The only information the judges had was the ABV (Alcohol by volume) and the category into which each sample would compete into.
Judging panel at work
The Online format through FaceBook was well orchestrated by the folks at Whisky Magazine.
This 2020 editions is confirming the lead from Japanese distilleries, taking the titles of the best single malt, best grain, and best blended limited release.
Sweden, Autralia? Both rewarded for a world’s best, see below.
Anthony Denny, Publisher, Whisky Magazine.
Rob Allanson, Editor, Whisky Magazine.
Today, three types of winners were announced remotely, through the FaceBook page of Whisky Magazine, co-chaired by Anthony Denny and Rob Allanson:
- The best 2020 whiskies of the world
- The 2020 Icons of Whisky, people who have shown excellence in their domain
- The 2020 Inductees, rewarding two people who’s contributions to the whisky world are widely recognized.
The two latest will be reported in a future post.
BEST WHISKIES OF THE WORLD – 2020
2020 WORLD’S BEST SINGLE MALT WHISKY:
Hakushu Single Malt 25 Years Old
This is another great recognition for Shinji Fukuyo, executive officer, chief blender and senior general manager at Suntory. He began his career in 1984 at the distillery, spent some years in Scotland to further develop his knowledge and skills. He acquired the prestigious title of Master Blender in 2009. The award he receives for his gem, Hakushu 25 YO, already awarded best single malt of the year in 2018, is crowning a career underlined by excellence. Congratulation to Mr Fukuyo and his Team!
TASTING NOTES OF THE PANEL OF JUDGES (from 2018):
Hakushu 25 YO, 43% “Elegant and well balanced, has a good ripening feeling to it as the aromas develop, softly peaty, with a little citrus. pouring honey, vanilla, and stem ginger in syrup. Marzipan and praline, damson jam, lightly burnt gingerbread and cake spices from the wood.”
Picture of Shinji Fukuyo at the 2018 Award ceremony, rewarded for the same whisky!
2020 WORLD’S BEST SINGLE CASK SINGLE MALT:
Tamdhu Sandy McIntyre’s SC
This single cask was selected by Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre. A Vintage 2003 First Fill American oak Oloroso sherry butt.
56.2% – Notes of the maker: relaxing vanilla undertone and perfect balance of fruit.
Only 595 bottles of this distillery exclusive available.
Sandy McIntyre has created this release to celebrate the title of Distillery Manager of the Year 2019 at the Icons of Whisky Awards.
2020 BEST BLENDED MALT WHISKY:
MacNair’s Whisky Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 21 Years Old
Nose: Matured oak and cigar box, with a good whiff of woody smoke gliding through.
Palate: Cedar spices, milk chocolate, apricot, earthy peat, black pepper and a hint of charcoal.
Finish: Thyme honey, bonfire embers, dark chocolate tart.
Billy Walker, Master Blender
2020 WORLD’S BEST BLENDED MALT LIMITED RELEASE:
Chichibu distillery, Ichiro’s Malt & Grain, Limited Edition 2020
The whisky is named after its creator, Ichiro Akuto, who’s distillery Chichibu, only 10 years old, has become famous thanks to his mastery.
Note from the panel:
“Rich with slight hints of sulphur. A burst of fresh mint is mixed with slightly peaty notes. A powerful dram”
Ichiro Akuto, the Master Blender and Distiller, and Yumi Yoshikawa, Global Brand Ambassador. They were holding the same trophy tlast year, showing the quality of their production. Pic from last year awards.
2020 WORLD’S BEST BLENDED WHISKY:
Dewar’s Double Double 32 Years Old
Double Double” is not a typo but has a specific meaning:
- Two separate parts: the blended malt and the blended grain, aged separately as singles before blending
- Then the two blends are put together in an in exhausted casks to marry harmoniously, and then extra-matured in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.
Notes from the panel:
“Brown sugar-glazed roasted pineapple on the nose. Polished oak develops. Thick, sweet palate with caramel, vanilla, molasses and toffee with soft spice and baked apples. Raisin notes build. Water brings out tropical fruit notes. Rich and rather complex.”
Stephanie McLeod, Master blender at Dewar’s
2020 WORLD’S BEST GRAIN WHISKY:
FUJI-GOTEMBA Single grain, 30YO small batch
Fuji-Gotemba distillery (Kirin Group) is located at the foot of Mount Fuji. This whisky was first distilled with continuous distillation and secondly distilled in a kettle.
Note from the panel:
“Great depth, gentle, fruity, vanilla beans, woody notes, popcorn, tannin, sherry. Oaky.”
Fuji-Gotemba / Kirin Whisky website (Japanese only)
Jota Tanaka has worked in the drinks industry for 28 years. After working at Four Roses in Kentucky as director of quality for seven years, Jota returned to Japan in 2009 and was appointed chief blender for Kirin’s Fuji Gotemba Distillery in 2010. He has earned the prestigious Distiller of the year in 2017 at the Icons of Whisky. Last year, he won the same awards with the 25 years old small batch. A great consistency.
2020 WORLD’S BEST POT STILL:
Redbreast 21 years old
Pot still matured in first-fill Sherry and bourbon casks, a well-known iconic expression, a well-deserved reward.
Note from the panel:
“Beautiful nose – oaky, fruity, zingy. Soft, creamy and fruity with small zaps of oak spice. A honey softness on the tongue. The fruit intensifies throughout too, with a hint of wine alongside. Some nutty notes. Delicious”
Billy Leighton, Master distiller for Redbreast, but also Jameson and others.
2020 WORLD’S BEST RYE:
Archie Rose Distilling Co. Rye Malt Whisky
An Australian distillery making rye is not so common, then crafting the best Rye whisky of the World is really something! Kudos for this distillery located in Rosebery, close to Sydney.
Note from the panel:
“An apple-led nose with dried apples and dry cider, some anise, caraway and toasted bread crust. Palate has a thick, almost creamy texture. Spiced sponge, light ginger and star anise. Initial sweetness dries out with a medium, nutty, dry fruit finish.”
Will Edwards, founder of Archie Rose
2020 WORLD’S BEST Corn:
Spirit of Hven, MerCurious
A Swedish distillery made this corn whisky crowned as world’s best. Mash bill: 88% Swedish corn, 5% wheat, 3.5% barley and 3.5% rye. It was matured in American virgin oak. Mercurious comes from the Mercury planet.
Note from the panel:
“Very creamy on the nose, sweet corn with vanilla pastries, subtle berries, pear drops, red apples and white chocolate. Well-integrated wood. The palate offers pear drops, caramel popcorn and chocolate nibs. The finish lingers on with gentle wood spice, vanilla, pastries and a little spearmint.”
Henric Molin, Master Distiller at Spirit of Hven
2020 WORLD’S BEST Wheat whisky:
Bainbridge, Two Islands Hokkaido Cask
Best American wheat whiskey, this expression is finished in casks that once held 10-12 year old single malt whisky from the Scottish isle of Islay.
Kevin Barrans, the head distiller, at Bainbridge Organic distillers. Picture at the the American whiskey Awards 2020.
2020 WORLD’S BEST Canadian blend whisky:
J.P. Wiser’s, Alumni Whisky Series Darryl Sittler
Darryl Sittler’s 10-year old four grain whisky is an homage to this hockey player’s record breaking 10-point game. J.P. Wiser’s and the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA) have partnered to create a lineup of new whiskies. Each one is a unique blend designed to pair with the playing styles of each hockey player honored with a bottle.
The blend contains 6% rye whisky (for his six goals!) and 4% wheat whisky (for his four assists!). Part of the proceeds from sales will be donated to NHLAA to support their philanthropic ambitions.
Note from the panel:
“Dark amber in colour. Nose is quite oaky, herbal, lots of tobacco. Palate is dark caramel. Very little spice. Pleasant. Finish is medium length, peppery. Semi sweet on the nose with a vanilla backbone. Integrated and smooth on the palate. Very good rye notes, grassy on the finish with a splash of citrus.”
Don Livermore, the famous Master distiller in Canada.
2020 BEST Bourbon:
Ironroot, Harbinger
The Ironroot flagship bourbon, already multi awarded. Mashbill is composed of Purple Corn, Bloody Butcher Corn, Flint Corn, non-GMO Yellow Dent Corn, and Rye. 57.5% ABV
The name Ironroot pays tribute to viticulturist and Denison native T.V. Munson’s hardy “iron” roots that helped save the French wine industry from total destruction. Munson’s efforts resulted in Denison and Cognac ultimately becoming sister cities.
Marcia Likarish, the Mother of Texas Whiskey, and Jonathan, head distiller
2020 BEST Tennessee Whiskey:
Uncle nearest, 1820 single barrel
This whiskey is the result of a blending of spirits no less than 7 years coming from two Tennessee distilleries (undisclosed); the mashbill is 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley offering a very smooth expression.
Note from the panel:
“Pleasing nose with roasted corn and oak. Rich on the tongue, with the notes of oak continuing throughout. Good complexity, great character.”
Co-founder Fawn Weaver, proudly holding her prize. Uncle nearest has been created as a tribute to Nearest Green, an African-American slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. Fawn Weaver was inspired by Green’s story, the role that slaves and blacks played in making whiskey in the United States and the fact that Jack Daniel never used slaves in his business.
Pic from the American Whiskey Award 2020
2020 WORLD’S BEST flavored whisky:
FEW Spirits, Cold Cut Bourbon
Note from the panel:
“Nose is subtle with aromas of cold brew coffee. “
Few Spirits’ founder and master distiller Paul Hletko proudly holding the award at the American Whiskey Awards 2020, well-deserved for this passionate and visionary entrepreneur