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Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Top Scotch Whisky Winners From The 2025 SF World Spirits Competition
The 2025 SFWSC Finalists in the Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 Years & Older category Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a cornerstone in the world of Scotch Whisky, is one of the most extensive and prestigious judging events. Whisky enthusiasts and the beverage industry closely follow its results, as they often set the standard for excellence in the industry. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the whiskey industry, will announce the winners on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Here are the finalists! From a diverse pool of several hundred entries, the distinguished panel of judges, comprising some 60 in total, has selected a range of finalists. These include five blended, four blended malts, and 20 single malt Scotch whiskies, each with its unique character and flavor profile. From these finalists will emerge the coveted title of World's Best Blended Scotch Whisky, Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, and Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and ultimately the highest prize of all: World's Best Scotch Whisky. The variety and quality of these finalists are sure to pique your interest. The 2025 SFWSC Blended Scotch Whisky Finalists in the No Age Statement category. Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Blended Scotch is a mix of grain whisky and single malt whisky. The Scotch Whisky Association, the industry's regulatory body, does not specify the proportions in the blend. Generally speaking, the higher the proportion of single malt in the blend, the more flavorful the whisky tends to be. The single malt portion of a blended whisky can range from as little as 10% to as much as 50% of the final blend. Under SWA rules, a no-age-statement whisky does not disclose the age of the youngest component of the blend. However, under SWA regulations, a whisky must be aged for a minimum of three years before it can carry the designation Scotch Whisky. Hence, a NAS whisky is guaranteed to be at least 3 years old. Most NAS whiskies are considerably older than the minimum three-year aging requirement. For a brief background and detailed tasting notes of the Blended Scotch Whisky finalists from the 2025 SFWSC, see SF World Spirits Competition Reveals Top Blended Scotch Whisky. The Finalists in the Blended Malt Scotch Whisky category at the 2025 SFWSC Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Blended malt is a mix of single malt Scotch whiskies. Unlike a single malt, which is a malt whisky from a single distillery, blended malts are a mix of malt whiskies from more than one distillery. The practice harkens back to the early days of the Scotch whisky industry when independent blenders created their whiskies by mixing single malt whisky from several distilleries. For background and detailed tasting notes on each of the Blended Malt Scotch Whisky finalists, see SF World Spirits Competition Reveals Top Blended Scotch Whisky. SFWSC 2025 Single Malt Scotch 13 to 19 Years Finalists Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Single malt Scotch whisky is a single malt from a single distillery. Each expression is typically a blend of different single malts from that distillery. The age statement listed on the bottle is the youngest component of that particular blend of single malts. Hence, 18-year-old Scotch whisky is not the 12-year-old expression aged for an additional six years, but rather a blend of single malt whiskies from that distillery, the youngest component of which is at least 18 years old. For a background and detailed tasting noteson these single malt Scotch whiskies, see SF World Spirits Competition Names Top Single Malt Scotch Whisky For a background and detailed tasting notes on these ultra-aged, single malt Scotch whiskies, see Best Ultra-Aged Scotch Whisky, According To The SF World Spirits Competition. These Scotch whiskies are among the very best, the crème de la crème of Scottish whisky. They are all outstanding, each reflective of the region and terroir that produced them. Some are historical names, while others are new distilleries, specialty bottlers, or once-silent distilleries that have been reborn. All are worth tasting, and if you like them, add a bottle or two to your Scotch whisky collection.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The SF World Spirits Competition Crowns The Top Irish Blended Whiskey
The finalists for the World's Best Blended Irish Whiskey at the 2025 SFWSC Four Irish whiskeys are finalists for Best Irish Blended Whiskeys at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is one of the world's largest and most prestigious whisky judging events. Whisky enthusiasts and the beverage industry closely follow these events and their results. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the whiskey industry, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Jameson Crested, formerly known as "Crested Ten," was first introduced in 1963 as Jameson's inaugural bottled whiskey. It is crafted with a higher proportion of pot still whiskey and is significantly influenced by sherry cask maturation. Historically, it has been a blend of 60% pot still and 40% grain whiskey, matured for seven to eight years. The nose presents a pronounced sherry-matured pot still whiskey aroma, with subtle notes of dried dark fruits, toasted almond, and a hint of marzipan. Delicate sherry and toasted wood, enhanced by fruit, spice, and chocolate notes, are evident on the palate. The finish is long and slightly sweet, with lingering sherry notes. Assorted bottles of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Jameson Irish Whiskey is produced by Pernod Ricard and is the largest selling Irish Whiskey in the world. This expression is part of Jameson's Triple Triple range. The triple-distilled whiskey matures in ex-bourbon, sherry, and Malaga wine casks. The three-cask finish introduces a unique sweetness and complexity to the whiskey. The nose is aromatic and complex, featuring notes of tangerine, honey, sweet bourbon casks, toffee, caramel, papaya, mango, and pineapple. The palate offers a classic sweet Jameson profile, expressing flavors of vanilla, caramel, honey, sweet cream, raisins, tangerine, and orange. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering hints of caramel, mocha, salted nuts, digestive biscuits, and orange zest. During the 19th century, Dunville's was one of Ireland's best-selling whiskeys and had a strong following in North America. The Echlinville Distillery revived the brand and has quickly established it as a rising star in Irish whiskey. Dunville's Three Crowns is a premium vintage blend of superior aged whiskeys, finished in Oloroso sherry casks. This expression combines single-grain and single-malt whiskeys. The sherry cask finish adds depth and richness. The whiskey presents a sweet and aromatic nose, featuring notes of caramel and butterscotch. On the palate, flavors of cooked cereal and malt are complemented by hints of walnut, dried fruit, and seasoned oak. The finish is long, with lingering notes of digestive biscuit and vanilla. The Triple Chestnut Edition is a recent expansion of the Triple Triple range. This expression incorporates chestnut wood casks into the traditional blend of ex-bourbon and sherry cask maturation. Chestnut wood adds flavors of nuts, bitter chocolate, and dried fruits, enriching the classic Jameson profile and introducing greater complexity. Distinctive and rich aromas of fudge, vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, chocolate, and subtle notes of dried pear and green apple fill the nose. The whiskey offers a smooth, creamy, and flavorful experience on the palate, showcasing orchard fruit, fudge, vanilla, nuts, caramel, subtle wood spices, and seasoned oak. The long, spicy, and sweet finish features lingering dried fruit notes. These four whiskeys showcase a range of flavorful and reasonably priced whiskeys. With prices ranging from $31 to $46, these selections demonstrate that excellence isn't necessarily expensive. They showcase the varied flavor profile and breadth of Irish whiskey. To broaden your whiskey horizons, these four standout Irish whiskeys are essential.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
SF World Spirits Competition Names Top Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Some of the finalists for World's Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Fifteen single malt Scotch whiskies are finalists at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is among the world's largest and most prestigious whisky judging events. Whisky enthusiasts and the beverage industry closely follow its results. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated whiskey industry event, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. These whiskies have no age statement (NAS). To be classified as Scotch whiskies, they must be at least three years old. However, the full length of their aging is undisclosed. Smoky Quarter Cask is crafted from unpeated and peated spirit. Initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels, it undergoes a second maturation in 33-gallon quarter casks. These smaller-sized casks provide more wood-spirit interaction, enhancing the whisky's flavor and texture and increasing its sweet and smoky profile. The nose features poached pear, grilled apricot, cooked cereal/barley malt, and a persistent cold smoke. The palate exhibits cooked stone fruit, vanilla, milk chocolate, nuts, almond praline, seasoned oak, and a pervasive smokiness. The finish is long with lingering nuts, earthy peat, white pepper, and smoky notes. Smoke Season is a small batch release celebrating the period when Benriach distills peated spirit. It's matured in American virgin oak and ex-bourbon barrels to amplify the toasted, sweet, and smoky notes. Caramel, citrus zest, oak wood spices, earthy peat, and smoke are featured on the nose. The palate exhibits vanilla, charred fruit notes of apple and orange, cinnamon, caramel, and a persistent smoky character. The finish is long, sweet, and smoky with lingering roasted fruit notes. Inspired by the Scottish coastal village of Sandend, this whisky is matured in bourbon and manzanilla Sherry casks, capturing the seaside's maritime character. The nose features salt-laden sea breezes, honey, cooked cereal/malt, and a hint of citrus. The palate exhibits salted caramel with fruity pineapple, cherry, and grapefruit flavors. The finish is long and savory, with lingering fruit, seasoned oak, and spicy notes. Named after the harbor village of Portsoy, this richly peated single malt is matured in Sherry, bourbon, and Port casks. The nose features a distinct maritime character of salt-laden air and sea kelp strewn beach at low tide, fresh tropical fruit, dried sherried fruit, soy sauce, and anise/licorice. The whisky is robust and full-bodied on the palate, featuring dark chocolate, soy sauce, charred mango, molasses, and freshly ground sea salt. The finish is long, with lingering spicy and smoky notes. Remarkable Alchemy, a travel retail exclusive, showcases Loch Lomond's unique distillation methods, combining various still types and fermentation techniques. The nose features green apple, kiwi, vanilla, smoke, and a hint of caramel. The palate showcases brown sugar, poached orchard fruit, especially pear, lemon zest, and a rich smoke. The finish is long and smoky with lingering green apple and lemon zest notes. Some of the finalists for World's Best Scotch Whisky from the 2025 SFWSC A Speyside single malt, from one of the region's largest distillers, The Singleton is known for its smooth and approachable character. The whisky is fruity on the nose, featuring ripe pear, stewed apples, vanilla, caramel, and roasted nuts. The palate is sweet, exhibiting caramel, sweet barley sugar, vanilla, honey, coffee, and white chocolate flavors. The finish is smooth and medium length, with lingering honey and vanilla notes. A peated Speyside single malt matured in bourbon, Jamaican rum, and toasted, virgin oak casks. The nose features brown sugar, chocolate, candied citrus zest, and a pervasive cold smoke. The palate exhibits apple, honey, black pepper, vanilla, caramel, and a hint of chili pepper. The finish is medium length with lingering notes of seasoned oak, cold smoke, and a hint of char. Forgue is a Highland single malt matured in sherry casks. It offers a rich and complex flavor profile. Brown sugar, golden raisins, caramel, maple syrup, plum cake, cocoa, and blackcurrants are featured on the nose. The palate showcases typical Sherry influences of raisins, blackcurrants, dark chocolates, dried fruits, nuts, along with oak, mint, and cardamom. The finish is long and dry with lingering caramel and Sherry notes. A Highland single malt known for its peated character and complex profile. The nose features dry peat smoke, vanilla syrup, and cracked black pepper. The palate is sweet and flavorful, exhibiting medicinal peat, smoked bacon, roasted coffee bean, clove, star anise, green apple, and pear. The finish is long, with lingering spicy and smoky notes. Highland Park is an Orkney single malt known for its balance of sweet, floral, and smoky flavors. The nose features light heather smoke, maritime aromas, and cooked cereal/malty notes. The palate is semi-sweet with savory sea salt, honey, cooked cereal/malt, and smoke. The long finish has lingering maritime, smoky, and cooked cereal notes. Some of the finalists for World's Best Scotch Whisky from the 2025 SFWSC A Highland single malt finished in Madeira casks, enhancing its rich, fruity, and honeyed character. Aberfeldy's nose features honey, vanilla, citrus, and nuts. The palate is sweet and fruity, exhibiting honey, vanilla, citrus, spices, cinnamon, and fruit notes. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, and nuts. A Highland single malt finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks, offering a complex and enticing semi-sweet and savory profile. The whiskey features green apple, seasoned oak, and a savory/maritime character. It's dry and spicy on the palate, with Sherry influences, almond, and a hint of citrus zest. The finish is long and dry, with lingering maritime notes, salted almonds, and a hint of lemon. Alexander Murray is a Florida-based specialty bottler. In addition to their proprietary range, they also develop custom blends for Costco and Total Wine & More. This Highland single malt is matured in first-fill ex-sherry casks, delivering rich, fruity Christmas cake flavors. The nose features dried fruits, golden raisins, fresh apricot, hazelnut, and a hint of spice. It's rich and viscous on the palate with typical sherried Christmas cake flavors of golden raisin, dried apricot, fig, candied orange zest, nuts, and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The finish is long and sweet with lingering dried fruit and spicy notes. An unpeated Islay single malt known for its fruity style and complex character. The nose features stone and tropical fruit flavors of peach, apricot, melon, and mango, cooked cereal/malt, and yeasty bread dough notes. The palate is sweet and creamy, showcasing cooked peaches, butterscotch/caramel sauce, hints of old leather, vanilla, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and smooth with lingering dried fruit sweetness. Glenmorangie is a Highland single malt leader in innovative cask finishing and experimental whisky making. The nose is rich and floral, featuring honey, caramelized orange, jasmine, and lemon blossom. The fruity palate features dried figs, orange marmalade, butterscotch, vanilla, and subtle wood smoke. The finish is long, with a layered complexity and lingering notes of dried fruit and cold smoke. These single malt Scotch whiskies are all outstanding. They are varied, showcasing a range of proofs, cask finishes, and diverse aroma and taste profiles. They represent well-known legacy producers as well as less familiar brands. Several represent outstanding values. If you are a Scotch whisky enthusiast, there is plenty here to try out and explore.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Best Ultra-Aged Scotch Whisky, According To SF World Spirits Competition
The five top rated ultra-aged single malt Scotch whiskies Five ultra-aged single malt Scotch whiskies are finalists in the 20 Years and Older category at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is among the world's largest and most prestigious whisky judging events. Whisky enthusiasts and the beverage industry closely follow its results. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated whiskey industry event, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Rosebank Distillery was established in Falkirk in Scotland's Lowlands in 1840. It became renowned for producing a light, floral, and elegant single malt due to its use of triple distillation and worm tub condensers—an unusual combination. Often referred to as the 'King of the Lowlands,' Rosebank developed a cult following before being mothballed in 1993 by United Distillers/Diageo. The distillery was resurrected in 2017 after Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the site and trademarks. They undertook a meticulous restoration, preserving its whiskey's historic style and character. In 2023, Rosebank officially resumed production. The nose features pronounced citrus notes, typical of Lowland distillers, vanilla, caramel, and candied almonds. The palate exhibits herbal chamomile notes and tropical and stone fruit flavors of cooked banana, peach, apricot, and red berries. The finish is long, smooth, sweet, and fruity with lingering herbal and seasoned oak notes. This whisky is a continuation of Rosebank's legacy. Like its older sibling, it represents stock laid down before the distillery's closing in 1993. Although it shares a similar DNA, its aroma and flavor profile differ slightly from the 31-Year-Old expression. The nose features pineapple, candied ginger, lemon, marzipan, white pepper, and café latte/mocha notes. It's velvety smooth on the palate, with herbal notes of thyme, cooked cereal/malt, butterscotch, tropical fruits, and assorted wood spices. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering lemon, honey, cooked cereal, and toasted walnut notes. Glen Scotia Distillery, founded in 1832, is one of the few remaining distilleries in Campbeltown, once hailed as the "whisky capital of the world." Known for its maritime influence and distinctive oil-rich character, Glen Scotia has endured industry downturns and ownership changes while maintaining its landmark aroma and taste profile. Today, the distillery produces a range of single malts that reflect Campbeltown's peated and unpeated styles. Since being revitalized under the ownership of Loch Lomond Group, Glen Scotia has gained critical acclaim and has been a perennial medalist at international spirit competitions. The nose features Campbeltown's maritime terroir, red apple, candied orange peel, vanilla syrup, and caramel. It's sweet, smooth, and creamy on the palate, exhibiting an assortment of orchard and citrus fruit and wood spices of cinnamon, ginger, and clove. The finish is long, with lingering maritime and spicy ground ginger notes. Tomintoul Distillery, established in 1964, is in the Speyside region of Scotland near Tomintoul—the highest village in the Highlands. Built to produce a light, smooth style of whisky, it uses water sourced from the Ballantruan spring and primarily crafts unpeated single malts. However, it also produces a peated line under the "Old Ballantruan" name. Known as "The Gentle Dram," Tomintoul emphasizes balance and elegance in its whiskies. Today, it is owned by Angus Dundee Distillers and is widely respected for its approachable, fruit-forward expressions. The nose features brown sugar, digestive biscuits, golden raisins, and toasted oak. Salted caramel, stone fruit, cured tobacco leaf, praline nuts, maple syrup, vanilla custard, and oak spices of cinnamon, black pepper, clove, and candied ginger are showcased on the palate. The finish is long with a nuanced complexity showcasing coffee cake, crème caramel, and burnt sugar notes. Alexander Murray is a Florida-based specialty bottler. In addition to their proprietary range, they also develop custom blends for Costco, Total Wine & More, and others. This Highland single malt is bottled at cask strength and offers a rich and complex profile. The whisky is sweet on the nose, featuring peach syrup, chocolate fudge, nougat, cooked cereal/malt, floral heather, and spicy orange peel. The palate exhibits pronounced orange fruit notes of orange oil and candied orange zest, herbal notes of dried spices, caramel, and vanilla. The finish is sweet with lingering seasoned oak and spicy notes. These ultra-aged Scotch single malt whiskies, among the rarest ones available, offer a unique tasting experience. Less than 1% of Scotch whisky is aged 25 years or more, making these expressions exceptional. The Rosebank expressions, for example, represent the last remnant stock produced before the distillery shut down. Once that inventory is gone, it will be three decades before sufficiently aged stock is again available. All these single malts are worth tasting, and if you like one, buy it. You may not have another chance.
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The World's Best Small Batch Aged Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The Small Batch Bourbon Finalists in the 6-10 Years from the 2025 SFWSC Eight Bourbons are finalists in the Small Batch Aged Bourbon section. Five bourbons are in the 6-10 Years category, and three are in the 11 Years and Older category at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated whiskey industry event, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. This bourbon is a small-batch, limited release produced by The Beautiful and The Damned, a new artisan whiskey brand that focuses on blending storytelling with premium spirit craftsmanship. "Last Lion" is named to evoke an era of fierce independence and honor, fitting the bourbon's bold character. Typically bottled around 100 proof, Last Lion is crafted using sourced Kentucky bourbon aged for at least six years before blending. On the nose, it reveals rich aromas of vanilla bean, toasted coconut, fresh leather, and charred oak. The palate is silky smooth yet robust, showcasing flavors of brown sugar, dark stone fruit, cinnamon bark, and sweet tobacco. The finish is layered and long, with lingering sweet oak spice and cooked/caramelized fig. This bourbon feels classic but vibrant — a smooth, yet robust sipper with a noteworthy backbone. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring: 'Aromas of cooked apples galore, a ton of fresh black pepper spice, caramel, allspice, and nougat. It's sweet and easy to drink on the palate, featuring white sugar, apples, honey, caramel, allspice notes, and some slight herbal tea notes. The finish is long and very balanced.' This bourbon comes from Rare Character Whiskey Co., a brand known for finding exceptional barrels from undisclosed distilleries and bottling them in limited batches. Batch 02 is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at barrel strength, with ABVs varying by barrel but generally in the 110–120 proof range. On the nose, Batch 02 offers expressive aromas of roasted pecans, molasses, black cherries, and toasted vanilla. The palate is robust yet balanced, layering dark caramel, spicy rye bread, cocoa nibs, and dried fruit flavors. The finish is long and rich, with lingering pepper and butterscotch notes. This complex and favorable bourbon has traditional and slightly unconventional edges, true to its "rare character" name. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the bourbon as featuring: 'Spicy aromas on the nose, along with cherry syrup, nuts, caramel, and vanilla. The palate features dried fruit flavors, rye toast, chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. The finish is long, with lingering leather, chocolate, and fruity notes.' Kentucky Senator is a revived heritage brand paying tribute to famous Kentucky politicians. The John Brown release is the third bottling in the series, named for the first U.S. senator from Kentucky. Distilled in Kentucky and bottled at 107 proof, it is crafted as a limited edition small batch. On the nose, the bourbon delivers dark toffee, crème brûlée, cherry compote, and a subtle hint of mint. The palate is full-bodied and flavorful, featuring burnt sugar, maple syrup, toasted almonds, and spiced orange zest notes. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering oak, nutmeg, and a hint of dark chocolate. This polished bourbon feels elegant yet robust, a fitting homage to its namesake. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as expressing: 'Big, bold aromas of vanilla custard, cherry syrup, and caramel on the nose. The palate features maple candy, almond praline, wood spice, and chocolate. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering candied orange zest, caramel, and spice notes.' Fiddler Encore Bourbon is an innovative wheated bourbon from ASW Distillery in Atlanta, Georgia. It undergoes secondary aging with hand-harvested, Georgia oak staves placed in the barrels, giving it a distinctly local character. This unique process and the bourbon's distinctive flavor make it a must-try for any bourbon enthusiast. It is bottled at around 120 proof. The bourbon offers a unique nose of caramelized bananas, toasted pecans, honeysuckle, and vanilla bean. The palate is rich but balanced, showcasing honeyed cornbread, marshmallow, baking spices, and light oak tannins. The Georgia oak influence brings a slightly sweeter and softer profile than traditional American oak. The finish is smooth and floral, making it a distinctive Southern bourbon that blends Georgia terroir with traditional craftsmanship. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the bourbon as featuring: 'Cooked sweet corn on the nose with floral, seasoned oak, and caramel notes. The palate features a candied sweetness, corn bread, cooked bananas, nuts, caramel, and vanilla flavors. The finish is long and sweet with lingering cooked corn and seasoned oak notes.' This bourbon is a smaller, emerging brand focused on robust, high-rye recipes. A 'high-rye' recipe typically contains more than 15% rye in the mash bill, contributing to a spicier and more complex flavor profile. Long Ridge's recipe consists of 60-65% corn, 30-35% rye, and a touch of malted barley. It's typically bottled between 95 and 100 proof. The nose features spicy cinnamon, clove, roasted peanuts, and dry leather notes. It's aromatic and flavorful, exhibiting sweet vanilla, cracked pepper, caramel apple, and freshly toasted rye bread flavors. The finish is crisp and moderately long, with a spicy rye snap and a final note of charred oak. Long Ridge's bourbon feels youthful but energetic — a rye-forward bourbon for those who like their whiskey with some spice. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the bourbon as: 'Flavorful and aromatic with a big, bold, and spicy aroma and flavor profile.' The Finalists in the 10 Years and Older Small Batch Bourbon Category from the 2025 SFWSC This is a legendary sourced bourbon originally bottled by New Riff Distilling under the "O.K.I." label, standing for "Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana." The 15-year-old release comes from meticulously selected barrels of MGP-sourced bourbon, distilled in Indiana and aged in Kentucky warehouses. Bottled around 100 proof, this bourbon exudes classic old bourbon character, a testament to the traditional craftsmanship that goes into every bottle. On the nose, it offers robust aromas of dark oak, old leather-bound books, burnt caramel, and dried tobacco leaf. The palate is lush and layered, with nuanced flavors of molasses, walnut brittle, dark cherry preserves, and spice-laden oak. The finish is incredibly long, with lingering bittersweet chocolate, toasted vanilla, and aged wood notes. O.K.I. 15 Year is a testament to the power of time — an old, stately bourbon for serious connoisseurs. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as exhibiting: 'Pronounced caramel and spice notes on the nose. The bourbon is bold and wild, expressing seasoned oak, aged leather, and spice flavors. The finish is long and rich, with lingering leather, spiced figs, and a hint of caramel.' This is a rare, ultra-aged straight bourbon offering from the Redemption line, a brand generally better known for its rye whiskeys. This limited release showcases barrels distilled at MGP and aged for 18 years. This bourbon boasts an intense, brooding profile and is bottled at a cask strength of around 103 proof. The nose reveals dense layers of old leather, dried tobacco, dark maple syrup, and charred oak. On the palate, it is flavorful, revealing nuanced notes of burnt toffee, blackstrap molasses, seasoned oak, dark cocoa, and baking spices. The finish is long and dry, with lingering espresso and oak wood flavors. This big, serious bourbon is best suited for slow sipping and contemplation. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring: 'Aromas of pancake syrup and spiced leather on the nose. It's bold and flavorful on the palate, with old leather, dried tobacco, cocoa, and molasses notes. The finish is long, with lingering notes of leather and spice.' Lucky 13 is aged 13 years and bottled by Widow Jane Distillery in Brooklyn, New York, using sourced Kentucky and Tennessee whiskey stocks. Bottled at 93 proof, Lucky 13 undergoes proofing with Widow Jane's famous limestone water from Rosendale Mines, giving it a distinctive mineral complexity. It's rich and aromatic on the nose, featuring butterscotch, ripe plum, toasted oak, and cinnamon sugar notes. The palate is smooth and flavorful, layering vanilla cream, caramel apples, dried cherries, nutmeg, and soft tobacco notes. The finish is warm and medium-long, highlighted by sweet spices and gentle minerality. Lucky 13 strikes a beautiful balance between rich flavor and easy approachability — a fortunate find for any bourbon lover. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the bourbon as featuring: 'Butterscotch aromas and seasoned oak wood notes complemented with orchard fruits, creamy vanilla, caramel, and nutmeg spice. The finish is long, sweet, and layered with lingering caramel apple, cherry syrup, and vanilla notes. The eight Small Batch Aged Bourbons from the 2025 SFWSC feature an eclectic collection of craft producers from all over the US. They represent a broad array of styles and proofs reflecting a variety of terroirs and maturation environments. They underscore the wide range of aroma and flavorful profiles that characterize contemporary craft bourbons and showcase how barrel selection and blending can allow specialty bottlers to produce exceptional bourbon. These eight expressions are among the world's best small-batch aged bourbons. All are worth trying.
