The Three Best Whiskies of 2020 Are American

Jim Murray has tasted 20,000 whiskies. So he has an opinion (or 20,000 of them) on what makes the spirit sing.

His annual whisky compendium, the aptly-titled Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2020, was just announced, along with the major winners. For this year’s edition — the 17th overall — Murray tasted 1252 whiskies from over 30 countries. But America did incredibly well this year (racking up Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in his rankings.)

Below, the winners. Note: You’ll want to stock up on these quickly — these tend to either sell out, are already sold out or only available in extremely limited quantities … and certainly not for the original retail price.

World Whisky of the Year: 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

A 62.5 percent whiskey that also won a World’s Best Bourbon award in 2018 at the World Whiskies Awards.

Second Finest: William Larue Weller 125.7 Proof – 2018 Release

Third Finest: Thomas H Handy Sazerac Rye 128.8 Proof – 2018 Release

Single Cask of the Year: Nantou Omar Cask Strength Bourbon Cask #11140804

Interesting note here: That one’s from Taiwan, and it’s state-owned … and not from the country’s best-known distillery, Kavalan.

Scotch Whisky of the Year: Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition

Single Malt No Age Statement: Glen Grant Rothes Chronicles Cask Haven

Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength

Bourbon (11-15 Years): Pappy Van Winkle 15 Years Old

Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Japanese Whisky of the Year: Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt