Best In Show & Best Of Class Results SFWSC 2023

by The Tasting Alliance Team  |  06.15.2023

Best Spirits According to The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best In Show Unaged White Spirit
Best In Class Overall Rum
Best In Class Rhum Agricole

Renegade Rum Single Farm Origin: Hope

Best In Show Whisk(e)y
Best In Class Single Malt Scotch
Best In Class Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 20 Years and Older

Tomatin Highland Single Malt 36 Year Old

Best In Show Brandy
Best In Class Cognac Extra Aged
Best In Class Extra-Aged Rum

Ragnaud Sabourin Cognac Fontvieille N°35

Best In Show Liqueur
Best In Class Fruit Liqueur

Choya Umeshu Extra Years

Best In Show RTD
Best In Class Tequila Agave Based

Rancho La Gloria Spiked Horchata


Best Of Class Vodka

Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka

Best Of Class Flavored Vodka

Alamere Spirits Espelette Chili Vodka

Best Of Class Overall Gin
Best Of Class London Dry Gin

Ginny Pig Botanic Gin

Best Of Class Navy Strength Gin

Gindome Mermaid Gin (Navy Strength)

Best Of Class Old Tom Gin

Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin

Best Of Class Flavored Gin

Billy Stitch Distillery Berry Mojito Gin

Best Of Class Barrel-Aged Gin

Avonak Distiller’s Reserve Barrel-Aged Gin

Best Of Class Shochu

Taragawa Long-Aged Kuon

Best Of Class Baijiu

Emeishan Longchi Baijiu Co. Longchi Jinding

Best Of Class Silver/Gold (Unaged) Tequila

Lana Tequila Blanco

Best Of Class Reposado Tequila

Hotel California Tequila Reposado

Best Of Class Añejo Tequila

Dos Armadillos Tequila Añejo

Best Of Class Extra Añejo Tequila

Don Vicente Extra Añejo Tequila

Best Of Class Mezcal

Se Busca Joven Maguey Madrecuishe Mezcal

Best Of Class White Rum

Ten To One White Rum

Best Of Class Other White Spirit

TUMUGI New Oak Cask Storage

Best Of Class Dark/Gold Rum

Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2022 Rum

Best Of Class Extra Aged Rum

Regalo de Vida Gran Reserva Rum

Best Of Class Rhum Agricole

Renegade Rum Single Farm Origin: Hope

Best Of Class Straight Bourbon

William Heavenhill 9th Edition Bourbon

Best Of Class Small Batch Bourbon – Up to 5 Years

Mystic Farm & Distillery Broken Oak Small Batch Bourbon

Best Of Class Small Batch Bourbon
Best Of Class Small Batch Bourbon – 6-10 Years

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Best Of Class Single Barrel Bourbon – Up to 10 Years

Whiskey Thief Distilling Company Single Barrel 12 Riders on the Storm

Best Of Class Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon

Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask French Toasted Bourbon

Best Of Class Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-OId Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Batch 2 Tennessee Whiskey

Best Of Class Rye Whisk(e)y

Lock Stock & Barrel Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey

Best Of Class Canadian Whisk(e)y

Crown Royal 30-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

Best Of Class Australian Whisk(e)y

Callington Mill Distillery El Sol Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky

Best Of Class Other Single Malt Whisk(e)y

Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength

Best Of Class Other Whisk(e)y

Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky HARMONIE Triple Malt

Best Of Class American Blended Whiskey

High Bank Distillery Co. Whiskey War Barrel Select – Double Double Pinot Noir

Best of Class Japanese Whisky

Mars Tsunuki 2022 Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Best Of Class American Single Malt Whiskey

Lost Lantern Gentle Giant Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt

Best Of Class Special-Barrel Finished Whiskey

Rare Character Whiskey Single Barrel Jaqueira Cask Finished Rye – Selected by ReserveBar

Best Of Class Blended Irish Whiskey

Cairlinn Bay Irish Whiskey Oak & Coast Blended Irish Whiskey

Best Of Class Irish Whiskey
Best Of Class Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Keeper’s Heart 10-Year-Old Irish Single Malt

Best Of Class Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Redbreast 27-Year-Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Best Of Class Blended Scotch
Best Of Class Blended Scotch – 16 Years and Older

Dewar’s Double Double 20

Best Of Class Blended Scotch – No Age Statement

Johnnie Walker Blonde

Best Of Class Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – Up to 12 Years

Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old Cask Strength

Best Of Class Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 13 to 19 Years

Craigellachie 17 Single Cask Single Malt Scotch

Best Of Class Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 20 Years or Older

Tomatin Highland Single Malt 36 Year Old

Best Of Class Independent Merchant Single Malt

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask No. 4.346 Savoury and sweet

Best Of Class Blended Malt Scotch

Dewar’s Double Double 37

Best Of Class Cognac VS/Three Star or Equivalent

VS Phantom Branson Cognac

Best Of Class Cognac XO or Equivalent

Gautier Pinar del Rio Cognac

Best Of Class Overall Cognac
Best Of Class Cognac Extra-Aged/Vintage

Ragnaud Sabourin Cognac Fontvieille N°35

Best Of Class Armagnac

Domaine Du Grand Comte Napoleon

Best Of Class Calvados

Calvados Boulard XO

Best Of Class Alambic Brandy

Germain Robin California Alambic Brandy XO

Best Of Class Spanish Grape Brandy

Torres Hors D’ Age, Penedès

Best Of Class Peruvian Pisco

Intipalka Mosto Verde Torontel

Best Of Class Absinthe

Neeley Family Distillery Fear and Loathing In Kentucky

Best Of Class Fruit Liqueur

Choya Umeshu Extra Years

Best Of Class Herbal / Botanical Liqueur

Spiritopia Ginger Liqueur

Best Of Class Coffee Liqueur

State Line Distillery Coffee Liqueur

Best Of Class Cream/Dairy Liqueur

Appalachian Sippin’ Cream Dark Chocolate Coffee

Best Of Class Apéritif

Contratto Liqueur Aperitif

Best Of Class Non-Alcoholic Spirit

Bax Botanics Sea Buckthorn

Best Of Class Non-Alcoholic Spirit RTD (Mocktail)

Bax Botanics Sea Buckthorn & Tonic

Best Of Class Mixer

Nina’s Natural Michelada Mix

Best Of Class Hard Seltzer

Hummy Asian Pear Soju Seltzer

Best Of Class Craft Hard Seltzer

Melograno Premium Craft Cucumber Lime Mojito

Best Of Class Vodka Based

LiveWire Heartbreaker

Best Of Class Rum Based

Funkin Cocktails Piña Colada

Best Of Class Tequila/Agave Based Cocktail

Rancho La Gloria Spiked Horchata

Best Of Class Wine / Sake Based Cocktail

Vervet TOYO Yuzu Sake Tonic

Best Of Class Classic Cocktail

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Old Fashioned Cocktail

Best Of Class Signature Cocktail

Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers Strawberry, Rhubarb & A Zest of Lime Gin Cocktail

Best Of Class Specialty Cocktail Product

SLRRRP Alcohol-Infused Innovations O.G. Variety Pack | Blue Raspberry Smash


Best Vodka Spirits According to The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best Vodka Finalists

Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka

Tried & True Vodka

Gamblers Bay Distillery FL Farm Vodka

Dripping Springs Distilling

Best Flavored Vodka Finalist

Alamere Spirits Espelette Chili Vodka

Best Gin Spirits According to The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best Gin Finalists
Best Overall Gin Finalists
Best London Dry Gin Finalists

Ginny Pig Botanic Gin

No. 3 London Dry Gin

Wharf St. Distillery Citrus Gin

IVAI London Dry Gin

Best Navy Strength Gin Finalist

Gindome Mermaid Gin (Navy Strength)

Old Tom Gin

Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin

Porter’s Tropical Old Tom Gin

Gin bottles from the Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Best Flavored Gin Finalists

Billy Stitch Distillery Berry Mojito Gin

Best Barrel-Aged Gin Finalists

Avonak Distiller’s Reserve Barrel-Aged Gin

Hardshore North Oak Barrel Rested Gin

Best Baijiu Spirits according to The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best Shochu Finalists

Taragawa Long-Aged Kuon

Jougo Kokuto

Best Baijiu Finalists

Emeishan Longchi Baijiu Co. Longchi Jinding

Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor 58% Royal Koaliang Liquor

Best Tequila Blanco Spirits from The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World spirit competition

Best Silver/Gold (Unaged) Tequila Finalists

Lana Tequila Blanco

Regalo Ancestral Tequila Blanco

Best Anejo Tequila Spirit Finalists from The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Best Añejo Tequila Finalists

Dos Armadillos Tequila Añejo

Dos Primos Añejo

Hotel California Añejo Tequila

Tequila De La Gente D Añejo

Baluarte Tequila Añejo

Best Extra Añejo Tequila Finalists

Don Vicente Extra Añejo Tequila

Avión Reserva 44 Tequila

The best Reposado tequila spirits from the tasting alliance's 2023 san francisco world spirits competition

Best Reposado Tequila Finalists

Hotel California Tequila Reposado

Tequila Ocho Reposado

Tequila Campo Azul Selecto Reposado

El Tequileño “The Sassenach Select” Tequila Reposado

The Best Mezcal Spirits from The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Best Mezcal Finalists

Se Busca Joven Maguey Madrecuishe Mezcal

Mezcal Amarás Logia Coyote

Mezcal Ilegal 7 Year Añejo

Paquera Mezcal Barril

Mal Bien “White Tape” Espadin Mezcal

Salvadores Mezca Mezcal Destilado con Elote

Del Maguey Minero Single Village Mezcal

Best Other White Spirit Finalists

Tumigi New Oak Cask Storage

Axia Spirit

Best Rum Spirits as announced at The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World spirits Competition

Best White Rum Finalists

Ten To One White Rum

Cotton & Reed White Rum

Best Dark/Gold Rum Finalists

Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve 2022 Rum

Pampero Aniversario Rum

Best Extra-Aged Rum Finalists

Regalo de Vida Gran Reserva Rum

Ron Carúpano 21 Reserva Privada Rum

Best Rhum Agricole Finalist

Renegade Rum Single Farm Origin: Hope

The Best Single Malt Scotch Spirits as determined by The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best Straight Bourbon Finalists

William Heavenhill 9th Edition Bourbon

Heaven’s Door Decade Series Vol. 1 10yr Bourbon

Pursuit United Straight Bourbon

Sweet Grass Straight Bourbon

J. Reiger & Co. Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled In Bond

The Kentucky Owl The Wiseman Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best Small Batch Bourbon Finalists – up to 5 years

Mystic Farm & Distillery Broken Oak Small Batch Bourbon

Wilderness Trail Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best Small Batch Bourbon Finalists – 6-10 years

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Traverse City Whiskey Barrel Proof Bourbon

Peg Leg Porker Straight Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey

The Best Bourbon Spirits as determined by The Tasting Alliance at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Best Single Barrel Bourbon Finalist – up to 10 years

Whiskey Thief Distilling Company Single Barrel 12 Riders on the Storm

Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel Single Barrel Bourbon

The Clover Single Barrel Straight Bourbon

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Best Single Barrel Bourbon Finalist – 11 years and older

Augusta Distillery Buckner’s 13-Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Elijah Craig 18-Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon Finalists

Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask French Toasted Bourbon

Everwild Spirits Toasted Oak

Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series – Chateau de Laubade II

Neeley Family Distillery The Old Jett Brothers Sauternes Finished Bourbon

Best American Blended Whiskey Finalist

High Bank Distillery Co. Whiskey War Barrel Select – Double Double Pinot Noir

Best American Single Malt Whiskey Finalists

Lost Lantern Gentle Giant Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt

Pacific Coast Spirits American Single Malt

Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey

Triple Eight Distillery The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt Whisky 8 years old

Westland Distillery Solum Edition 1 Single Malt Whiskey

Cedar Ridge Distillery The QuintEssential Batch 010

ASW Distillery Red X Single Malt Whiskey

Best Tennessee Whiskey Finalists

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-OId Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Batch 2 Tennessee Whiskey

Special Barrel-Finished Whiskey Finalists

Rare Character Whiskey Single Barrel Jaqueira Cask Finished Rye – Selected by ReserveBar

Liberty & Plenty Distillery Bronze Bull Spirits Rye Whiskey Finished in Sherry Barrel

Art of the Spirits Whiskey Cask Strength “Final Run” BouRye finished in a Rum Cask

Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask American Single Malt Whisky

Bunnyville Single Grain Whisky Cask Strength-Jasmine Tea Liqueur Barrel

Best Rye Whiskey Finalists

Lock Stock & Barrel Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey

WhistlePig The Boss Hog

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Batch 002

Buzzards Roost Straight Rye Whiskey

ANNX Spirits Co. Collection Rye Whiskey

Stellum Fibonacci Rye #1

Lost Lantern 2023 Single Cask #4: Corbin Cash California Straight Rye Whiskey

Best Canadian Whisky Finalists

Crown Royal 30-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

Eau Claire Distillery Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky

Best Australian Whisky Finalists

Callington Mill Distillery El Sol Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky

MORRIS Whisky Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature

MORRIS Whisky Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel 48% ABV

Amber Lane Single Apera Cask 087

Coburns Hermes Australian Single Malt Whiskey

Dobson’s Belle Epoch Australian Single Malt Whiskey

Best Blended Irish Whiskey Finalists

Cairlinn Bay Irish Whiskey Oak & Coast Blended Irish Whiskey

Northcross Irish Whiskey Triple Wood

Teeling Whiskey Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey Finalists

Keeper’s Heart 10-Year-Old Irish Single Malt

Egan’s Irish Whiskey Endeavour

Best Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finalist

Redbreast 15-Year-Old

Best Japanese Whisky Finalists

Mars Tsunuki 2022 Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Yamazakura Single Malt by Sasakawa

Best Other Single Malt Whisky Finalists

Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength

Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength

Best Single Grain Whisky Finalists

Loch Lomond Single Grain Coopers Collection

Invergordon 18-Year Highland Single Grain Whisky

Best Other Whisky Finalist

Alfred GIRAUD French Malt Whisky HARMONIE Triple Malt

Matsui The Kurayoshi Aged 18 Years Pure Malt Whisky

The Best Single Malt Scotch Spirits as determined by The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best Blended Scotch – No Age Statement Finalist

Johnnie Walker Blonde

Best Blended Scotch – 16 Years and Older Finalists

Dewar’s Double Double 20

Johnnie Walker 18-Year-Old Reserve Blended Scotch

Dewar’s Double Double 32-Year-Old Blended Scotch

Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement Finalists

The GlenDronach Portwood Single Malt Scotch

Arran Single Malt Scotch Sherry Cask “The Bodega”

Old Pulteney Huddart Single Malt Scotch

Smokehead Sheery Cask Blast Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – Up to 12 Years Finalists

Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old Cask Strength

Aberfeldy 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Ardbeg 8 Years Old Single Malt Scotch

Old Pulteney 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Balblair 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 13 to 19 Years Finalists

Craigellachie 17 Single Cask Single Malt Scotch

Benriach 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old Inchmurrin Single Malt Scotch

The GlenDronach Allardice 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

Aberlour 18-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – 20 Years and Older Finalist

Tomatin Highland Single Malt 36 Year Old

Talisker 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

Highland Park 21 year Old Single Malt Scotch

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Best Independent Merchant Single Malt Finalists

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask No. 4.346 Savoury and sweet

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask No. 95.72 Beach bum meets courting mechanic

Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Finalists

Dewar’s Double Double 37

Naked Malt Sherry Cask Blended Malt Scotch

Best Cognac VS/Three Star Finalist

Camus Very Special
VS Phantom Branson Cognac

Best Cognac VSOP Finalist

Godet Cognac VSOP Original

The Best Brandy Spirits from The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition

Best Cognac XO Finalists

Gautier Pinar del Rio Cognac

Ragnaud Sabourin Cognac XO N° 25

Ferrand Sélection des Anges, Grand Champagne

Best Cognac Extra-Aged/Vintage Finalists

Ragnaud Sabourin Cognac Fontvieille N°35

Deau Hors d”age Louis Memary Cognac

Best Armagnac Finalists

Domaine Du Grand Comte Napoleon

Clos Martin Armagnac XO

Best Spanish Grape Brandy Finalists

Torres Hors D’ Age, Penedès

Best Calvados Finalist

Calvados Boulard XO

Best Alambic Brandy Finalists

Germain Robin California Alambic Brandy 7 Year

Germain Robin California Alambic Brandy XO

Best Peruvian Pisco Finalists

Intipalka Mosto Verde Torontel

Intipalka Pisco Puro Italia

The Best Liqueur Spirits from The Tasting Alliance's 2023 World Spirit Competition

Best Absinthe Finalist

Neeley Family Distillery Fear and Loathing In Kentucky

Best Fruit Liqueur Finalists

Choya Umeshu Extra Years

Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur

Best Coffee Liqueurs Finalist

State Line Distillery Coffee Liqueur

Best Cream/Dairy Liqueurs Finalists

Appalachian Sippin’ Cream Dark Chocolate Coffee

Baileys Chocolate Liqueur

Kamora Dulce de Leche Tequila Liqueur

Best Herbal/Botanicals Liqueurs Finalists

Spiritopia Ginger Liqueur

Brucato Amaro Orchards Amaro

Best Apéritif Finalists

Contratto Liqueur Aperitif

Villa Massa Vermouth Traditonale Di Torino Rosso

The Best Non Alcoholic Spirits from The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirit competition

Best Non-Alcoholic Spirits Finalists

Bax Botanics Sea Buckthorn & Tonic

Bax Botanics Zingy Lemon Verbena & Tonic

Best Non-Alcoholic RTD (Mocktail) Finalist

Bax Botanics Sea Buckthorn & Tonic

Bax Botanics Zingy Lemon Verbena & Tonic

Best Mixer Finalists

Nina’s Natural Michelada Mix

Top Note Tonic Classic

Angel’s Share Cocktail Co. Old Fashioned

The world's best hard seltzers as determined by The Tasting Alliance's 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Best Hard Seltzer Finalists

Hummy Asian Pear Soju Seltzer

West Peak Sparkling Spirits Buscadero Bay Punch

Curation Bev Co Grapefruit Twist

Onda Tequila Seltzer Strawberry

Onda Tequila Seltzer Peach

Best Vodka Based Finalist

LiveWire Heartbreaker

Best Rum-Based Finalist

Funkin Cocktails Piña Colada

Best Whiskey Finalist

Wabasso WhisKey Lime

Sagamore Spirit Honey Paloma

Best Tequila/Agave Based RTD Finalist

Rancho La Gloria Spiked Horchata

Best Hemp-Infused Finalist

Better Than Booze Rosemary Infused Grapefruit Paloma

Best Classic Cocktail Finalists

Tip Top Proper Cocktails Jungle Bird

Astral Margarita

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Old Fashioned Cocktail

Curatif X Bar Bambi Amaretto Sour

Mission Craft Cocktails Mai Tai

Fifth State Distillery Espressso Martini

Brody’s Crafted Cocktails Classic Mai Tai – Rum Cocktail

Best Signature Cocktail Finalists

Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers Strawberry, Rhubarb & A Zest of Lime Gin Cocktail

Hercules Mulligan Eyr & Rye

Best Specialty Cocktail Product Finalist

SLRRRP Alcohol-Infused Innovations O.G. Variety Pack | Blue Raspberry Smash

Best Wine / Sake Based Finalist

Vervet TOYO Yuzu Sake Tonic

A Group picture of The Tasting Alliance testing the world's best spirits at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition