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Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
America's Best Rye Whiskey, According To The American Distilling Institute
Painted Stave was the Best Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey and a Double Gold Medalist. Photo, courtesy Painted Stave The American Distilling Institute's International Spirits Competition is an annual judging of spirits sponsored by the ADI. This prestigious event recognizes excellence in craft spirits and is open to U.S. and international distilleries. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the "Best of Class" and "Best of Category." American Rye Whiskey winners from the recently completed 2025 competition. Painted Stave was the Best Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey and a Double Gold Medalist. The distillery, in Smyrna, Delaware, is known for its small-batch spirits. Their Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey is based on a mash bill of 70% Rye, 25% Corn, and 5% Malted Barley and is aged for a minimum of four years. On the nose, the rye whiskey is herbal and fruity, featuring spearmint, anise, licorice, red fruits, caramel, and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The palate exhibits a candied, bubble gum-like sweetness, dried spearmint, prunes, and cinnamon. The finish is long, with lingering spearmint, cinnamon, and bubble gum notes. Tumblin Dice was the Best Single Barrel Whiskey and a Double Gold medalist. The whiskey is bottled by Proof and Wood Ventures. It's sourced from MGP in Indiana. Known for their barrel-proof offerings, Tumblin Dice whiskeys are selected, aged, and bottled to highlight rye's bold aroma and flavor characteristics. The ABV varies between 110 proof and 120 proof, depending on the specific bottling. The rye whiskeys are based on MGP's high rye mash bill of 95% Rye and 5% Malted Barley. The maturation varies, with some expressions aged up to eight years. The whiskey is sweet and spicy on the nose, featuring rye spice, brown sugar, vanilla-laced crème brûlée, earthy, slightly herbal, with hints of stone fruit and white pepper aromas. It's rich and robust on the palate with classic rye characteristics and a balance of sweetness and spice. It exhibits vanilla and caramel notes, seasoned wood, cinnamon, clove, and a slight herbal touch. The finish is long and semi-sweet with lingering caramel, pepper, and seasoned wood notes. Glass of rye whiskey on background of rye grain getty Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko., in Southern Pines, North Carolina, was founded by retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Brad Halling. The distillery honors military service through its spirits, with the Sergeant's Valor series paying tribute to extraordinary acts of service. This expression is a bottling based on two different rye whiskeys. The source of the whiskeys, the associated mash bills, and the age statement are not disclosed. The nose features toasted oak, malted cocoa, vanilla, and herbal notes. The palate features bold rye flavors exhibiting rye spices of cinnamon and clove, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, earthy white pepper, and herbal flavors. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering rye spice notes. Redwood Empire Whiskey emphasizes sustainability and craftsmanship across its craft whiskey range. The Van Duzen Straight Rye is part of their Small Lot Series, named after the Van Duzen River, and showcases their commitment to unique mash bills and grain-to-glass production. The rye is based on a mash bill of 67% Rye, 31% Malted Barley, and 2% Wheat. The age at bottling is not specified. The nose is aromatic and complex, featuring vanilla/lemon cake, red berry jam, raspberry cobbler, milk chocolate, biscuit, and spice notes of cinnamon, clove, and allspice. The palate is rich and flavorful, exhibiting milk chocolate, custard cream, espresso coffee, tropical fruits, especially grilled pineapple and baked banana, and a touch of black pepper. The finish is medium length, smooth, and fruity with lingering lemon cake and baked banana notes. The American Distilling Institute (ADI) is a leading trade organization for craft and independent distillers in the United States. Founded in 2003, ADI supports the growth and success of small-scale distillers through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of best practices in the industry. ADI's annual spirits competition often highlights up-and-coming brands, many of which have yet to establish national distribution. For the whiskey connoisseur, the competition offers an excellent insight into what will likely be tomorrow's American whiskey stars.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Best Cask Finished Bourbon Crowned By The SF World Spirits Competition
The finalists in the Special Barrel Finished Bourbon category from the 2025 SFWSC Five whiskeys are the Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon finalists at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is the world's largest and most prestigious judging of American whiskey. 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 comes from the Proof & Wood collective, a whiskey project known for sourcing and blending high-quality barrels. Fox & Oden focuses on American whiskey with bold, rugged character, and the Double Oaked edition enhances its straight bourbon by giving it a second aging in new charred oak barrels. Bottled at 100 proof, it's designed to deepen flavor and complexity. The nose reveals a rich mix of toasted vanilla, caramel corn, dark cocoa, and spiced oak. It's thick and warming on the palate, with layers of burnt sugar, toasted marshmallow, roasted nuts, and charred wood spice. The finish is long and slightly smoky, with lingering notes of dark chocolate and baking spice. It's a bold, hearty bourbon that showcases the double oak influence beautifully. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the bourbon as featuring 'aromas of caramel, vanilla, and seasoned oak are followed by a candied sweetness, nuts, oak, and chocolate. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy, with lingering dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla notes.' Joseph Magnus is an award-winning blend of straight bourbons finished in three different types of casks: Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, and Cognac barrels. The result is a complex, luxurious spirit that merges classic bourbon richness with layers of fruit and spice. Bottled at 100 proof, it's a rich, elegant pour. The nose features dried figs, dark cherries, polished oak, sweet pipe tobacco, and old leather aromas. The palate is lush and mouth-coating, exhibiting flavors of raisin bread, caramelized sugar, dark chocolate, blackberries, and oak spices. The finish is long, sweet, and fruity, with lingering chocolate-dipped cherries and warm baking spice notes. Joseph Magnus Triple Cask is a luxury sipping bourbon that showcases the art of barrel finishing with finesse. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as expressing 'floral and fruity aromas follow a rich Cognac note. The palate features golden raisin, vanilla, honey, chocolate, and caramel flavors. The finish is rich, medium length, and slightly dry with lingering notes of dried fruit and dark chocolate.' Whiskey Tree, a newer distillery aiming to bring bold flavor to classic American whiskey styles, produces this craft bourbon. Their High Rye Bourbon leans heavily on rye grain in the mash bill, likely around 30–35% rye, and is bottled at about 100–105 proof, depending on the batch. It's vibrant and spicy on the nose, with aromas of cinnamon stick, brown sugar, cracked pepper, and orchard fruits. The palate is lively and robust, layering sweet vanilla, caramel apple, toasted rye bread, and pronounced clove and pepper spices. The finish is long and spicy, with lingering cinnamon and seasoned oak notes. Whiskey Tree's High Rye Bourbon is a zesty, flavorful pour for those who enjoy spice-forward profiles without overwhelming heat. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as expressing 'persistent spicy notes surround rich caramel, vanilla, and ripe apple aromas. The palate features caramel apple, rye toast, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and black pepper. The finish is long and spicy with lingering cinnamon and clove notes.' A stack of whiskey barrels This Mizunara finished bourbon is a fascinating experimental bottling from Starlight Distillery in Indiana, a craft producer known for its creative barrel finishes. This bourbon begins as traditional straight bourbon before being finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks, imparting exotic spice and sandalwood notes. Bottled around 110 proof, it presents an exotic Sandalwood-dominant aromatic profile. The nose offers sandalwood incense, coconut cream, floral honey, dried apricot, and light toffee. The palate is uniquely creamy and smooth yet spicy, with flavors of white chocolate, toasted coconut, plum, and fragrant oak. The finish is delicate, with lingering spice notes of cardamom and hints of sweet cedar. Starlight's Mizunara Finish is a refined, elegant, aromatic bourbon that feels worldly and distinctive — a rare bridge between Japanese and American whiskey styles. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring 'sandalwood and coconut aromas on the nose, along with floral and fruity notes. The palate is smooth and creamy, featuring dried apricot, caramel, vanilla, and white chocolate. The finish is long and creamy, with lingering sandalwood, stone fruit, and light spicy notes.' This bottling is part of the Penelope Bourbon innovation series. It features their signature four-grain bourbon mash bill of corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley finished in heavy-toast oak barrels for additional richness. The grain proportions vary by expression. Bottled typically between 92 and 100 proof, this expression emphasizes sweetness and warmth without overwhelming char. The nose features aromas of toasted marshmallow, butterscotch, vanilla frosting, and a subtle note of roasted pecans. The palate is creamy and rich, delivering flavors of melted caramel, shortbread cookies, cinnamon sugar, and a hint of orange zest. The finish is smooth, sweet, and slightly nutty, with lingering oak spice and buttered toffee notes. Penelope's Double Oak Toasted Bourbon is dessert-like and crowd-pleasing, perfect for an after-dinner sip or a celebratory toast. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as showcasing 'roasted marshmallows, caramel, and vanilla aromas are featured on the nose. The palate features candied orange zest, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and oak wood spices. The finish is long and creamy, with lingering caramel and cinnamon notes.' These five Special Barrel-Finished Bourbons from the 2025 SFWSC feature different cask finishes, with many showcasing the benefit of a double oak maturation. The results both expand the aroma and flavor profile of bourbon while at the same time doubling down and magnifying the core DNA of bourbon. These five expressions are outstanding among the world's best cask finished bourbons. If you love bourbon, you should try them all. More From Forbes
