Australia is once again on top of the world, with two Aussie distilleries claiming top honours at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2020. At a virtual ceremony last night, in lieu of the proposed London event, the globe’s finest drams were on display. A wealth of awards were handed out across the 16 categories, which included;
- World’s Best Single Malt:
- World’s Best Grain;
- World’s Best Bourbon; and
- World’s Best Blended Malt.
Among the winners were two of Australia’s finest. Sydney-based distillery Archie Rose, most famous for its gin, took out a surprising victory in the World’s Best Rye category, topping fan favourites like Canada’s Lot No. 40 Cask Strength, and Stork Club’s Full Proof Rye from Germany.
According to the World Whiskies Awards’ judges, Archie Rose’s Rye Malt Whisky was a standout, thanks to its fierce aromatic notes. “An apple-led nose with dried apples and dry cider, some anise, caraway and toasted bread crust. The 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.”
Archie Rose wasn’t the only Aussie distiller to get a mention. Tasmanian icon Sullivans Cove was named the Best Australian Single Malt. Featuring hints of orange and lemon zest throughout, the persistent fruit and spice notes were a hit with judges, but sadly it wasn’t enough to topple Japan’s The Hakushu Single Malt 25 Years for World’s Best.
It seems the whisky world is slowly starting to pay attention to the work we’ve been doing down under. It might not be long until we see a few more trophies in the Aussie cabinet.
Here’s a full list of all the winners for the 2020 World Whiskies Awards.
2020 World Whiskies Awards Winners
World’s Best Blended Whisky Award
Dewar’s Double Double 32 Years Old
World’s Best Blended Limited Release
Chichibu distillery, Japanese Blended Whisky Limited Edition 2020
World’s Best Blended Malt
MacNair’s Whisky Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 21 Years Old
World’s Best Corn Whisky
Spirit of Hven Distillery MerCurious
World’s Best Grain Award
Fuji Single Grain 30 Years Old Small Batch
World’s Best New Make
Victoria Caledonian Distillery Peated Mac na Braiche
World’s Best Rye
Archie Rose Distilling Co. Rye Malt Whisky
World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt
Tamdhu Sandy McIntyre’s SC
World’s Best Single Malt Award
House of Suntory Hakushu Single Malt 25 Years Old
World’s Best Canadian Blended Whisky
J.P. Wiser’s Alumni Whisky Series – Darryl Sittler
World’s Best Flavoured
Few Spirits Cold Cut Bourbon
World’s Best Pot Still
Redbreast Whiskey 21 Years Old
World’s Best Wheat
Bainbridge Organic Distillers Two Islands Hokkaido Cask
World’s Best Bourbon
Ironroot Republic Distillery Harbinger
World’s Best Tennessee
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey 1820 Single Barrel
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Rebel Yell Bourbon Single Barrel 10 Years Old
World’s Best Whisky Design
Jura Whisky 21 Years Old – Tide
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