American Blended Whiskey
 

American Blended Whiskey

 

The Fifty Best American Blended Whiskey Tasting 2023

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of American Blended Whiskey with a panel of 10 judges. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the American Blended Whiskies were poured into fresh glasses from newly-opened sealed bottles and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, unsalted unflavored crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each American Blended Whiskey on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Gold medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Double-Gold, Silver or Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states of origin and alcohol proofs are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)   100° proof
Maple charcoal filtered.

Aroma: Rich caramel, brown sugar, molasses, sweet vanilla, cream, honey, sweet corn, grain, roasted nuts, nutmeg, mint, cinnamon, apple tree.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, honey, banana, green apple, light anise, mint, wintergreen, grain, walnut, clove, spices, black pepper, char, new oak barrel, oak, bourbon notes, creamy mouthfeel, buttery.
Finish: Fire-roasted nuts, light anise, mint, bitter herbs, clove, spice, pepper, black pepper, black tea, tannic, leather, oak, great.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey



Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Whiskey
(O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., MN)   92° proof
Irish grain & single pot still whiskies blended with American bourbon whiskey.

Aroma: Caramel, buttery, vanilla, nougat, honey, banana, orange, clove, leather, cognac cask, port barrel, oak tree, oak.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, clover honey, cherry, grape, red apple, mint, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, wood, pine, oak, oak barrel, nicely balanced, creamy.
Finish: Vanilla, nougat, honey, apricot, corn, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, bark, sherry, well balanced, clean, rich, tasty.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Whiskey



West Bottoms Whiskey Co. Kansas City Whiskey
(MO)   94° proof
Blend of bourbon & rye whiskies.

Aroma: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, vanilla, orange blossom honey, dried fruit, dark stone fruit, cinnamon, tree bark, woody, oak, soft.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, nougat, honey, ripe banana, subtle cherry, red apple, orange zest, corn, wheat, rye, mint, clove, cinnamon, spicy, spices, pepper, black pepper, peat, burnt coal, new aged wood, oak, tasty, drink neat.
Finish: Caramel, honey, licorice, mint, grain, spice, black pepper, leather, sawed wood, oak, balanced, complex, tasty, smoothly elegant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



West Bottoms Whiskey Co. Kansas City Whiskey



Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey
(O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., MN)   88° proof
Irish grain & single pot still whiskies blended with American rye whiskey.

Aroma: Caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, honey, bananas foster, green apple, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, spices, rye, peat, musty, oak barrel, oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, sugarcane, vanilla, honey, candied apple, citrus, grassy, anise, basil, cinnamon, rye, wheat, bread, oak, sherry, wine notes, zesty, flavorful.
Finish: Nougat, honey, vanilla, corn, sweet nuttiness, ginger, cinnamon, white pepper, black pepper, tannic, oaky, tasty, nice, soft, elegant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey



Cooperstown Select American Blended Whiskey
(Cooperstown Distilery, NY)   90° proof
Blend of locally grown corn, rye & barley whiskies.

Aroma: Nougat, dough, corn, rye, wheat, grain, cinnamon bark, black pepper, moonshine mash, leather, earthy, burnt wood, oak.
Palate: Caramel, nougat, cake, cream, vanilla, pot still grain, rye, wheat, walnut, herbal, cinnamon, nutmeg, spice, spicy, black pepper, peppery, leather, earthy, tannic, new barrel, cherry wood, oak dominated, tasty.
Finish: Apricot, lemon, citrus note, grain, clove, white peppercorn, spicy, black tea, tannic, leathery, new wood, oak, balanced.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Cooperstown Select American Blended Whiskey

 

 

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