The 2023 New York Wine and Spirits Competition, culminating at the end of August, has left both industry professionals and enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the competition winners. The highly anticipated moment unveiling the winners to the to the public has arrived with a look at the finalists below:
Best Blended Scotch Finalist: The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky
The Sassenach is the first whisky launched by Sam Heughan (who you may know as the actor who plays Jamie Fraser on the hit sci-fi TV show Outlander), inspired by picturesque Highland landscapes. Expect waves of butterscotch, fresh citrus, and warming spices from this tasty blended Scotch whisky.
Best Blended Scotch Finalist: Fior Blended Scotch
Fior is a super-premium, hand crafted blend of Highland and Speyside Scotches. The color is a deep, rich maple and the nose is inviting with rich vanilla and just a hint of campfire smoke.
The rounded palate is complete with notes of oak, chocolate, and soft spices while a luxuriously smooth, long finish balances comforting malt tones with warm salted almonds for a taste that lures you back for more.
Each bottle boasts a high malt/grain content of 40%. Fior is produced and bottled in small batches in Scotland. Each batch is expertly blended by David Hallgarten who selects the finest casks of scotch whisky, for their unique qualities and character.
Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch Finalist: Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate Batch #3 Single Malt Scotch
Crafted by Glenmorangie from field to glass, this limited-edition series brings the spirit and flavour of our Highland home to whisky lovers around the globe. Aged for 15 years, the third batch of Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate brings a nutty and spicy twist to the series’ award-winning flavour.
Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
The last hours of a perfect autumn day when the world looks like a golden dream filled with cookie-coloured leaves and butterscotch skies… What would that taste like?
The answer is, this dazzling, luminous whisky – a rhapsody of warm tones like purple heather, leaves swirling in the wind and hues of lemon, copper and gold.
To create it, the brand gathers the silky, fruity spirit from giraffe-high stills and lets it steep in American oak casks. No less than 15 years later, they transfer a portion into Oloroso sherry casks for three more years.
Once 18 years have passed, Glenmorangie reunites them to create its warm balance of sweet, floral lushness. Rich marmalade flavours brush against honey and fig, touches of caramelized orange and far-off campfire smoke.
Providing a tantalizing glimpse into the World’s Best Scotch Whisky, Forbes exclusively featured the remarkable Ardbeg 25, a single malt hailing from the storied Islay distillery in a recent article.
Ardbeg 25 stands as a pinnacle release, proudly displaying its age statement not just on the bottle, but also in the remarkable depth of its flavor profile. Upon first encounter, the nose is met with a harmonious blend of smokiness similar to that of an earthy bonfire, further accentuated by notes of velvety butterscotch. The initial sip reveals a delightful taste of zesty citrus and decadent fudge that elegantly counterbalances the inherent smokiness. With each sip, the palate is further taken on a journey culminating in a finish of fresh cream that further balances the diverse flavors. While the temptation to preserve this as a collector’s gem is undeniable, the experience of savoring this exquisitely balanced expression is not to be missed.
Delve deeper into how Ardbeg 25 distinguishes itself amongst other prestige malts boasting comparable age statements in the feature article on Forbes. Additionally, be sure to take a look at the complete roster of winning products on The Tasting Alliance website.