World Whiskies Awards 2021 US winners announced

We are pleased to announce the 2021 World Whiskies Awards winners from the US

It has been yet another stellar year for the American whiskey industry, despite all the trials it has faced, across the full spectrum from craft to conglomerate. Now we get to enjoy the top of this year’s class in the World Whiskies Awards. 

We are thrilled to announce the winner results, including the Best winners from the US, covering the vast spectrum of categories being explored by distillers across the country.

Best American Blended

Breckenridge
PX Sherry Cask Finish
90 PROOF  |  45% ABV

Caramel, vanilla, and toffee fill the nose. Caramel continues on the palate, with oak and mint leaning toward menthol. Very rich nose, caramel, sherry, fruit, almonds, vanilla and char influence.

Best American Blended Malt

Virginia-Highland Whisky
Port Cask Finished
92 PROOF  |  46% ABV

Honey, red apple, malt, and light spice throughout, with a trailing oak finish.
Orchard fruits, maltiness, apple, honey, fig, sweetness, and a light nuttiness that leads to a medium fruity sweet finish.

Best Kentucky Bourbon

WL Weller
CYPB
95 PROOF  |  47.5% ABV

A complex floral and fruity maple syrup on the nose, followed by a floral, fruity, syrupy, bold rye punch on the palate. This is then balanced by a long, brown sugar finish.

Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon

Hirsch
The Horizon
92 PROOF  |  46% ABV

Rich dark honey from the off. Then on the palate there is licorice, sage, marshmallow, butter toffee and brown sugar. A little bit of grassiness too with just a hint of cinnamon and clove. Nutty, marzipan, licorice, clean and balanced.

Best American Corn

Ironroot Republic
Hubris
117.8 PROOF  |  58.9% ABV

Nose is sweet and full of corn syrup. This continues on the palate, viscous and mouth coating with nice balance and complexity. A solid finish with honey on toast with a smidge of marmalade. 

Best American Flavoured

Bird Dog
Peanut Butter Flavored Whiskey
80 PROOF  |  40% ABV

Roasted peanuts, caramel, vanilla and an incredible butteriness. Think crackerjacks, peanuts, butter, caramel, vanilla and a light biscuit base.

Best American Grain

Bainbridge
Yama Japanese Mizunara Cask Single Grain
90 PROOF  |  45% ABV

Beautiful floral, honey and walnut nose. Moves to a complex palate with honeysuckle, pear, and warm fruit. The long finish is perfectly balanced. 

Best American New Make & Young Spirit

291 Colorado Whiskey
Fresh Colorado Whiskey
90 PROOF  |  45% ABV

A nose full of oranges, white pepper, a touch of heat and some cinnamon. The palate has a very good balance that follows the nose. It’s full in the mid-palate with a short finish. 

Best American Rye

Redemption
Plantation Rum Cask Finish
94 PROOF  |  47% ABV

Some delightful cherry to kick off, then wood, toast and vanilla. It’s got a pleasant warming nose, followed by vanilla and spicy wood oak. The finish is long and complex, balanced and quite enjoyable. 

Best Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon

Rebel Bourbon
Single Barrel 10 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
100 PROOF  |  50% ABV

Nose of tropical fruit, oak, vanilla, burnt sugar and spice cake. Palate is ripe tropical fruit, chewy, soft, and caramel candy. Long finish, complex and well balanced. 

Best Non-Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon

Tumblin’ Dice Bourbon
Single Barrel – Barrel Proof
112 PROOF  |  56% ABV

Huge nose of dark brown sugar, oak, and fruitcake. Palate is chewy, viscous and has a candied fruit sweetness. Nice spice notes, balanced, complex and long finish. 

Best American Single Cask Single Malt

Westland Distillery
Single Cask #5410
114 PROOF  |  57% ABV

Light floral and toast aromas on the nose with some honey sweetness. Dark cherry and plum, hints of oak and dark chocolate appear on the palate. It finishes a little on the dry side with some oaky notes.

Best American Single Malt

Westland Distillery
Garryana Edition 5
100 PROOF  |  50% ABV

Earthy, with notes of peat, malt, honeysuckle, and pear. Ripe fruit and spices on the finish. Extremely well done and balanced.

Best American Wheat

291 Colorado Whiskey
E Colorado Whiskey Batch #7
121 PROOF  |  60.5% ABV

The nose shows heat, vanilla, caramel, and white fruit notes. The palate is  youthful, grainy, viscous  and sweet, leading into a gentle finish.