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
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