World Whisky 2021
 

Best World Whisky - 2021

 

The Fifty Best World Whisky Tasting 2021


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 19 World whiskies with a panel of ten judges. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. The World whiskies were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at room temperature. Each of the whiskies were judged and scored separately. Only ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no 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 below are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, countries of origin, alcohol proofs and other tidbits are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Penderyn Legend
Single Malt Welsh Whisky

(Penderyn Distillery, Wales)  Madeira finish.  86° prf

Nose: Toffee, light caramel, buttery, creamy, honey, raisins, banana, banana peel, lemon jelly slices, lemon candy, lemon, pleasant citrus notes, white flower, lightly floral, cedar.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, buttery, honey, honeyed citrus, lemon, lemon verbena, tropical fruit, coconut, sweet grain, ginger, floral, smoky, woodsy, oak, creamy mouthfeel, pretty, delicate, savory.
Finish: Toffee, chocolate, brown sugar, sweet corn, plum, fig jam, rye, wheat, nutty, nutmeg, spice, spicy, peppery, smoky, bold, clean, nice, surprisingly smooth, delicious.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Penderyn Legend Single Malt Whisky Welsh Whisky



Rauchkofel Single Malt Whisky
(Kuenz Naturbrennerei, Austria)  Sherry cask finished.  86° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, stewed pears, tropical fruits, lemon, orange peel, pastry, baked goods, hints of oatmeal, malty, coffee, spicy, light iodine, maritime.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, creamy, brown sugar, brûléed figs, tropical fruit, ginger, floral, malty, coffee, cinnamon, clove, hint of dried spice, light peat, oak, Madeira wine, nicely balanced.
Finish: Toffee, white chocolate, Amarena cherries, almond, spice, slightly smoky, woody, nice sweetness, flavorful, very pleasant, super smooth.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Rauchkofel Single Malt Whisky



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS


Seven Seals Single Malt Whisky
Sherry Wood Finish

(Seven Seals Distillery, Switzerland)  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, chocolate turtles, honey, ripe banana, dark fruits, sweet grain, perfume, almonds, cashew nuts, cinnamon, coffee grinds, coffee, char, oak, savory.
Palate: Rich caramel, toffee, dark chocolate nibs, malty dark chocolate, honey, red apple, rye, coffee, spicy, peaty, light smoke, blond wood, oak, cedar, nicely balanced.
Finish: Caramel, milk chocolate, treacle, clove, spice, hay, cedar box, woody, sherry, pleasant sweetness, balanced.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seven Seals Single Malt Whisky Sherry wood finish



Moon Harbour PUR Malt Whisky
Dock 2

(Distillerie Moon Harbour, France)  91.6° prf
Aged in Château Cantenac Brown Bordeaux casks.

Nose: Caramel, toffee pudding, vanilla, honey, candied ginger, citrus peel, candied pecans, roasted chestnuts, bread, brioche, savory sweetness.
Palate: Caramel, rich chocolate, buttery, brown sugar, honey, dark fruit, citrus, orange, orange peel, ginger, spiced cake, bread, almonds, nutty, café Americano, earthy, wood, oaky, nice balance, rich.
Finish: Caramelized, nougat, butter, honey, dried fruits, bread, coffee, baking spices, clove, toasty, wood, clean, great, perfect.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Moon Harbour PUR Malt Whisky Dock 2



Millstone 100 Dutch Single Rye Whisky
(Zuidam Distillers, The Netherlands)  100° prf

Nose: Fresh apple, red apple, Calvados-like, citrus, honey, herbal notes.
Palate: Honey, honeyed apple, red apple, citrus, cinnamon, clove, mineral, slight smoke/peat, woody, oak, buttery.
Finish: Honey, raisins, floral, peat, hints of wood, complex, rich, layers of flavor.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Millstone 100 Dutch Single Rye Whisky



Stork Club Full Proof Rye Whiskey
(Spreewood Distillers, Germany)
Distilled from locally grown German rye, aged in American
& German toasted oak barrels.  110° prf

Nose: Chocolate, dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, citrus, floral, cedar wood, oak.
Palate: Orange peel, citrus peel, citrus, honey, sweet grain, dried figs, very herbal, cinnamon, cedar wood, oak, creamy, good character.
Finish: Honey, roasted nuts, cinnamon, balanced, dry, creamy, soft.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Stork Club Full Proof Rye Whiskey



Seven Seals Single Malt Whisky
Port Wood Finish

(Seven Seals Distillery, Switzerland)  92° prf


Nose: Caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, tiramisu, roasted nuts, maritime, forest floor, subtle peat, liquid smoke, smoky, woody, oak, delicate, savory.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, nougat, vanilla, dried cherries, orange peel, ginger, almonds, clove, sandalwood, briny, lightly peated, smoky, cedar box, wood, oak, sherry, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, honey, citrus, ginger, peppery, spicy notes, very maritime, wet leaves, forest floor, smoky, great oak, nice.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seven Seals Single Malt Whisky Port wood finish



Seagram's Royal Stag
Barrel Select Premier Whisky

(India)  75° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, toffee, plum, orange peel, citrus, ginger, lightly floral, almonds, peppery, wood, nice oak.
Palate: Caramel, creamy, butter, toffee, rich honey, dried cherries, stone fruits, orange peel, citrus, anise, cinnamon, clove, briny, oak, savory, surprising.
Finish: Caramel, honey, good spice, peat, wood, oak, well balanced, full flavor.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seagram's Royal Stag Barrel Select Premier Whisky



Millstone 12 years Sherry Cask
Dutch Single Malt Whisky

(Zuidam Distillers, The Netherlands)  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, ginger, ginger beer, coffee, clove, nuts, peppery, perfume-y, iodine, peaty, cedar, oak, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, creamy notes, brown sugar, honey, dried fruit, orange peel, stone fruit, almonds, nutty, coffee, peppery, sharp spice, iodine, peaty, wet wood, woody, oak, savory.
Finish: Raisins, star anise, cloves, white pepper, peppery, spicy, slightly peaty, oaky, cedar, leather, rich.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Millstone 12 years Sherry Cask Dutch Single Malt Whisky



Rampur Asava Indian Single Malt Whisky
(Radico Khaitan Ltd., India)  90° prf
Matured in American bourbon barrels & Indian cabernet sauvignon
wine casks.

Nose: Caramel, toffee, nougat, light chocolate, subtle vanilla, Bing cherry, dark cherries, ripe peach, pineapple, apple, tangerine, orange, grain, malt, cinnamon, cedar chest, oak, char, amaro.
Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, molasses, honey, cherry, tart apple, orange, orange zest, citrus, malt, rye, bread, grain, flowers, clover, grasses, chocolate spices, allspice, nutmeg, tannin, wood, cherry wood, oak, sweet oak, intense flavors, layers of flavor.
Finish: Honey, spiced cherries, figs, lingering orange zest, citrus, malt, clove, myrrh, spices, pepper, oak, cedar, big, zesty, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Rampur Asava Indian Single Malt Whisky



Millstone Peated Pedro Ximenez
Dutch Single Malt Whisky

(Zuidam Distillers, The Netherlands)  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, chocolate, treacle, brown sugar, subtle nougat, honey, orange, potpourri, nuts, clove, spicy, earth, maritime, peaty, smoke, wood, oak, hints of cedar, sherry, zesty.
Palate: Caramel, creamy, dark chocolate, coffee, ginger, clove, peppery, nutty, tobacco, hemp, dirt, earthy notes, briny, iodine, peaty, strong peat, smoke, woody, oak, sherry, hint of sweetness, nice blend of flavors.
Finish: Toffee notes, creamy, dark chocolate, ginger, almond, roasted nuts, peppery cinnamon, nice wood finish, balanced, clean, lingering.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Millstone Peated Pedro Ximenez Dutch Single Malt Whisky



Seagram's Blenders Pride
Exclusive Premium Whisky

(India)  75° prf
Blend of imported Scotch malts & select Indian grain spirits.

Nose: Caramel, creamy, buttery, banana bread, raisins, dried apricot, honey, candied ginger, Pedro Ximénez, malty, pecans, coffee, wood, subtle oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, creamy, crème brûlée, honey, stone fruit, dried apricot, citrus, delicate floral, sherry, coffee, clove, cinnamon, spice, white pepper, iodine, minerals, wood, oak.
Finish: Caramel, toffee, creamy, banana, citrus notes, slight spicy, maritime, earthy, peaty, smoky, cigar box, dry barrel notes, nice balance, soft, smooth, decent sipper.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seagram's Blenders Pride Exclusive Premium Whisky



Seagram's Blenders Pride
Reserve Collection Exclusive Whisky

(India)  75° prf
Blend of imported Scotch malts & select Indian grain spirits.

Nose: Toffee, nougat, brown sugar, honey, charred fruit, citrus, nutmeg, thyme, spice, pepper, black pepper, tannins, wood, cedar.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, creamy, chocolate, brown sugar, herbal, ginger, almond, hazelnut, clove, malty, smoky, woody, cedar box, oak, well balanced, rich, layers of flavor.
Finish: Toffee, brown sugar, creamy dark fruit, peppery, orange marmalade, citrus, mint, hints of almond, nutty, blond wood, oak, nice, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seagram's Blenders Pride Reserve Collection Exclusive Whisky



Seagram's Imperial Blue Premier Grain Whisky
(India)  75° prf
Blend of imported Scotch malts & select Indian grain spirits.

Nose: Toffee, brown sugar, sweet grains, barley, roasted nuts, latte, ginger, light cinnamon, woody, light oak, delicate, super soft notes.
Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, cherry juice, orgeat, citrus, floral, rye, clove, cinnamon, light spice, white pepper, hint of minerals, briny, peaty, woody, oak, French oak, quite dry, creamy.
Finish: Treacle, dried fruit, warm baking spice, baking spice notes, peppery, maritime, oaky, dry, rich, sherry cask notes.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Seagram's Imperial Blue Premier Grain Whisky



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Moon Harbour Single Malt Whisky
Dock 1

(Distillerie Moon Harbour, France)   91.6° prf
Aged in Château La Louverie Bordeaux casks.

Nose: Caramel, dark chocolate, honey, cherries, raisin, dark fruits, roasted apple, apple, lemon, sandalwood, grain, nutty, field of clover, woody, oak, cedar, rich.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, honey, dried figs, green apple, citrus, ginger, floral, cinnamon, hint of clove, spice, light salinity, smoky, oak, sherry-like, silky, smooth.
Finish: Honey, Honey Nut Clusters, raisin, dark fruits, apple, almond, floral, spice, maritime, oaky, balanced, well made, tasty.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Moon Harbour Single Malt Whisky Dock 1



Seagram's Royal Stag Superior Whisky
(India)  75° prf
Blend of imported Scotch malts & specially selected Indian grain spirits.

Nose: Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, honey, dates, figs, orange peel, orange blossom, cinnamon, clove, newly mown grass, grains, oak, fresh.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, orange, orange peel, banana peel, ginger, slightly spicy, clove, grains, nutty, sandalwood, iodine, slight peat, smoky, wood, French oak, cedar, balanced, lovely.
Finish: Cherry juice, cinnamon, clove, baking spice, peppery, oak, cedar shines through, crisp, clean, soft, smooth.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Seagram's Royal Stag Superior Whisky



Shinju Japanese Whisky White Pearl
(Japan)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, orange peel, honeysuckle blossoms, cinnamon, spice, nutty, malt, maritime, subtle oak, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, honey, raisin, dark fruits, ginger, citrus, floral, malt, grain, almonds, nutty, cinnamon, clove, dry leaves, oak, dry, sherry notes, creamy mouthfeel, soft.
Finish: Toffee, orange peel, citrus peel almond, nutty, clove, oak very present, complex, dry, clean, bright, smooth.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Shinju Japanese Whisky White Pearl



Seven Seals Peated Single Malt Whisky
Port Wood Finish

(Seven Seals Distillery, Switzerland)  92° prf

Nose: Brown sugar, buttery, bacon, maritime, peaty, smoky, campfire, wood, cedar, oaky.
Palate: Dried fruit, cinnamon, toast, pepper, briny, peat, wet forest floor, wet burnt logs, smoky, woody, oak, cedar, BBQ’d meats, savory, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Caramel, dark chocolate, dried fruit, cinnamon, big peat, charred meats, smoky, heavy oak, dry.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Seven Seals Peated Single Malt Whisky Port wood finish



Millstone Oloroso Sherry
Dutch Single Malt Whisky

(Zuidam Distillers, The Netherlands)  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, creamy, chocolate, cacao, honey, orange, fruity, hints of ginger, Red Hots candy, clove, malty, coffee, wood, oak, ocean notes, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, sweet honey, orange peel, coffee, malty, minerals, iodine, peaty, woody, oak, dry, sherry, creamy mouthfeel, balanced dessert sweetness, savory, nice and rich.
Finish: Chocolate, honey, ginger, clove, coffee, mineral, briny, wood, oak, dry, soft, smooth, pleasant.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Millstone Oloroso Sherry Dutch Single Malt Whisky

 

 

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