Latest news with #whiskey
Forbes
19 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
America's Top Bourbon, According To International Wine & Spirit Comp
Toasting with a glass of bourbon. Over 50 bourbons earned top honors at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition judging of American whiskey recently held in Kentucky. Below is a summary of the top-ranked bourbons, along with links to more detailed background information and tasting notes for each winner. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Barrel Strength Whiskey, 59.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100 Jefferson's Reserve Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Whiskey, 65% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100 Hazelwood Spirits Company, Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 5 Years Old, 67.1% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 94/100 Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B524 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 65.3% Abv, 750 ml Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100 Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Whiskey Barrel Proof C924 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 11 Years Old, 64.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100 Old Dominick Distillery, Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 61.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 92/100 Pinhook, 5 Year Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 59.1% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 91/100. For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top Cask Strength Bourbons From the International Wine & Spirit Competition H.K. Young Bourbon Co., Toasted Barrel Finished Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 45.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100 RD1 Spirits, Finished with Japanese Mizunara and French Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 61.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 92/100 Angel's Envy, Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 43.3% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 91/100 Bardstown Bourbon Company, Collaboration Series Ferrand Whiskey. 12 Years Old, 56% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 91/100 15 Stars, Three Ports Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 90/100 Angel's Envy, 2024 Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 59.4% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 90/100 For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Best Cask Finished Bourbon From The International Wine and Spirit Competition. Praedictum, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 56% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100 Frank August, Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 60.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100 Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve, Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 55% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 94/100 Blanton Distilling Company/Buffalo Trace, Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100 Blanton Distilling Company, The Gold Edition Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 51.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 92/100 Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Family Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 72.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 91/100 Blanton Distilling Company, Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 62% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 90/100 The Old Steelhouse's Blueprint Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 92/100. For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top Single Cask Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition. Single barrel bourbons in a Glencairn whiskey glass Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score 94/100 Angel's Envy, Cask Strength Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 92/100 Heaven Hill, Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 90/100 For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top-Rated Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition. Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100 Heaven Hill, Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 47% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100 15 Stars First West Small Batch Whiskey, 51% ABV, 5 Years Old, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100 Fathertime Bourbon, Second Child Syndrome: Empty Nester Strength Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 59.4% ABV, 750 ml Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100 Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 51% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold 2025, Score: 95/100 Fathertime Bourbon, Firstborn Edition Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.2% ABV, 750 ml. 92/100 points; Fathertime Bourbon, Second Child Syndrome Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.2% ABV, 750 ml. 91/100 and Fathertime Bourbon, The Middle Child Mystery Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.2% ABV, 750 ml. 91/100 For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top Small Batch Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition. King's Family Distillery, Tennessee Standard Blended Bourbon Whiskey, 59% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100 15 Stars, First West Extra Aged Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100 Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey, 54.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 94/100 Blue Run Spirits, Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey, 55.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 94/100 Peg Leg Porker (Teal Hollow Distilling) Black Label Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100 Heaven Hill, Evan Williams 1783 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100 Heaven Hill Distillery, Grain To Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100 The Difference Bourbon, The Foundation Whiskey, 54.1% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100 Pinhook Vertical Series 9 YO Bourbon Whiskey, 57.2% abv, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100 Wild Turkey, 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100 Bulleit Frontier Whiskey's 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.6% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 91/100. Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 47% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 91/100 Wild Turkey, 101 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50.5% ABV, 750ml. Spirit Silver, Score 90/10 Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 7-Years-Old, 49.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 90/100 Smooth Ambler's Old Scout 7-Year-Old, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score, 90/100. For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Gold Medal Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition Charring a white oak bourbon barrels. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg Rock Town Distillery Bourbon Y'all Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100 Frank August Case Study: 05 Wheated Reserve 5 Barrel Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.3% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100 Heaven Hill Distillery Grain To Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, 53.3% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100 O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey Uncharted Kentucky Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100 Wilderness Trail Distillery Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100 The 2025 IWSC American whiskey judging highlighted some of the top bourbons in America. All of these bourbons are outstanding, offering a diverse range of aroma and flavor profiles. Stylistically, the wheated bourbons were the standouts, but regardless of your bourbon preferences, you are bound to find a whiskey that suits your palate among these top-rated medal winners—time to start tasting.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
The Rusty Mackerel, Donegal review: Sarah Jessica Parker's go-to is where you want to be after a bracing cliff walk
The Rusty Mackerel Address : Teelin, Carrick, Co Donegal, F94VP99 Telephone : 074-9739101 Cuisine : Pub Grub Website : Cost : €€€ We've come from the cliffs at Sliabh Liag – 600m above sea level, the highest sea cliffs in Europe – where the land just gives up and drops off the side of the country. The view across Donegal Bay is staggering. It's better than the Cliffs of Moher . Fewer buses. Smaller crowds. The kind of place that makes you forget about food entirely – until you get back into the car, the road curves inland, and suddenly you're starving. The Rusty Mackerel, nearby in Teelin, is the place to stop. With a terrace out front, a conservatory to one side and rooms upstairs, it is a favourite of tourists and hikers. A warren of rooms in the pub is filled with pints and talk. In the conservatory, where our food is served, the brick walls, timber beams and stone flag floors create an inviting ambience. Guinness and whiskey mirrors, framed adverts and copper pots anchor you firmly in Ireland. The menu is short: seven starters, seven mains and five desserts. There's fish and chips, a Guinness beef stew, pasta with chicken in a white wine cream sauce and a seafood pie with smoked haddock and salmon. Starters include a creamy seafood chowder, crispy chicken wings and garlic bread with or without cheese. Desserts stick to the classics: sticky toffee pudding, crème brûlée, brownies, and spiced apple crumble – all priced at €9. The wine list is equally short, with four whites, three reds, a rosé, and a Prosecco, all available by the glass. It should be noted that the rosé is Sarah Jessica Parker 's – she drops in when she's holidaying in Donegal. I go for the Chardonnay (€7.70); my wingman, Steve, has a Guinness (€5.90). READ MORE We order the goat's cheese tartlet (€14) and the prawn and monkfish (€14.50) to start. It's a single slice from a log of soft goat's cheese in a small prebaked pastry case, which is warmed through. It is topped with red onion marmalade, which adds sweetness - perhaps a bit too much - and underneath is a green wild garlic purée – strong, sharp and slightly overpowering. The prawn and monkfish is served in an escargot dish – the white ceramic kind with six wells, originally designed to hold snails and garlic butter. It's an odd vessel, but it works. The monkfish is perfectly cooked – no small achievement. It's an unforgiving fish when overdone. The prawns hold their texture in a mild creamy sauce. The layer of melted mozzarella across the top has a wonderful cheese pull and is strangely satisfying. The brown bread that comes with it is very good – deep brown, dense, slightly sweet, served thick and warm with butter. We've ordered two mains: fish and chips (€22.50) and the Guinness stew (€22.50). The fish and chips is excellent. The fish – haddock – comes in a Guinness beer batter, fried to a perfect crunch. The batter is thin and crisp, not oily, and flakes apart with a good crack. Inside, the fish is hot, juicy, and firm. This is how it's meant to be done – the batter acts as a casing, holding in the heat and the moisture, without turning to glue. The hand-cut chips are thick, not quite crunchy, but piping hot. A small bowl of mushy peas and a ramekin of tartare sauce do the job. The stew comes in a deep bowl, loaded with tender beef, peas, carrots and a generous dollop of buttery mash. But the gravy lacks depth. There's sweetness where there should be something savoury – no bitterness, no dark malt character, nothing that suggests stout. It could do with a splash of lemon juice to add acidity. There's more of that excellent brown bread on the side. The Rusty Mackerel, Carrick, Co Donegal The Rusty Mackerel, Carrick, Co Donegal The Rusty Mackerel Pub, Carrick, Co Donegal We share a dessert – sticky toffee pudding (€9). The sponge is warm and soft, but not especially sticky. The toffee sauce, poured on top and squiggled across the plate, tastes confected, like something from a bottle. It comes with soft-serve ice cream and a strawberry on top. The Rusty Mackerel is open most days – including midweek – which already puts it ahead of much of rural Donegal. Many places shut from Monday to Wednesday, or hibernate until high season. This one stays open year-round. That, along with the fish, is reason enough to stop. After the cliffs and the road and the cold air in your lungs, it's not just somewhere to eat – it's exactly where you want to be. Dinner for two with a glass of wine and a beer was €96.10. The verdict: A post-hike menu that gets the basics right. Food provenance: Molloys Fish, Killybegs; Adrian Byrne Butchers; and Declan McShane for fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian options: Goat's cheese tartlet and vegetable curry. Wheelchair access: Fully accessible with an accessible toilet. Music: Country sounds such as Riley Green and Chris Stapleton.
CNN
2 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Liquid Death's next act: A whiskey aged in a casket
Liquid Death is getting closer to resembling its name. The trendy water brand is partnering with WhistlePig Whiskey to create a new whiskey partially aged in an actual casket at the Vermont distillery, and made with Liquid Death's mountain-sourced water, the companies announced Wednesday. The limited-time release, called 'WhistlePig GraveStock Wheat Whiskey,' is 'pouring one out for the drinkers who know life is too short to drink anything but the best,' the companies said in a press release. The collaboration is taking aim at people who might be tired of spritzes, canned cocktails and beers. Rest assured, it doesn't taste anything close to death: The wheat whiskey was aged several years in a traditional oak barrel and then finished in the custom-made casket — no actual corpses involved — for about two weeks. WhistlePig said what results is a lively, 86-proof spirit that has notes of honeysuckle, biscotti and butterscotch. For WhistlePig, the collaboration couldn't have come at a better time. Spirit sales are sagging with major distilleries enduring layoffs following a post Covid-19 boon. That's a challenge for WhistlePig Whiskey CEO Charles Gibb, who joined the company earlier this month from cocktail mixer company Fever-Tree. 'The industry's having a tougher time than it's had for a while,' he admitted to CNN. 'But, in a weird way, I see that as an opportunity for brands such as WhistlePig because we're not yet at massive national scale and consumers are still looking for brands that have authenticity at their core.' WhistlePig and Liquid Death, both of which are younger brands in their respective categories, often bet big with partnerships to make noise. The former has teamed up with Formula 1 racing, rocker Alice Cooper and Solo Stoves for custom whiskey blends. Liquid Death, which is reportedly valued at $1.4 billion, has partnered with e.l.f. cosmetics and Martha Stewart for new products in addition to regularly dropping new flavors. So collaborating together was an easy fit, Gibb said. 'They've both got their own very distinctive followings and as a result, the partnership is where the DNA of one brand meets the DNA of another brand, collaborating and combining to create something that pique's people's interest as well as opening up both brands to new consumers,' Gibb told CNN. Gibb sees collaborations, like GraveStock, as a proven way to bring in new drinkers into the ultra-premium rye whiskey category, which WhistlePig is the top-selling brand in. In particular, this whiskey release is on the lighter side, Gibb says, resulting in a 'easy drinking, light summer whiskey' for customers who might be drinking WhistlePig for the first time. 'WhistlePig GraveStock Wheat Whiskey' costs $74.99 for a standard-sized 750ml bottle and will be sold beginning June 24 online and at select retailers, restaurants and bars.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lasso Motel 18 Year Wins Best American Whiskey Award
An Ascot Award was presented to all the 2025 winners with the best spirits. Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey was named the best American whiskey by a panel of judges during the 2025 Ascot Awards. Lasso Motel was also named the Best in Show Ultimate Winner — No. 1 among all entries — in the annual competition recognizing the world's best spirits. Sixty judges also selected the year's best scotch, rye, Irish whiskey, agave, rum, vodka, brandy and liqueur. Dallas-based Dynasty Spirits produces Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey, and online retail prices begin at $129.99 for a 750 milliliter bottle. The 121-proof whiskey, with a mash bill of 99% corn and 1% malted barley, is aged for 18 years in used bourbon barrels at the Midwest Grain Products Distillery in Indiana. Dynasty Spirits says the taste starts 'with rich notes of new oak and moves into buttery toffee and sweet sugar-maple before finishing with dried apricot.' Bourbon and spirits expert Fred Minnick, who founded and runs the annual competition, says the win by Lasso Motel 18 Year American Straight Whiskey represents a whiskey trend during the past few years. 'The best whiskey coming out of America is no longer just bourbon or rye whiskey,' he says. 'Blends of straights, light whiskeys and creative finishes have been getting better every year, and Lasso Motel is indicative of that.' Belvedere 10, named the best vodka in the Ascot Awards, and Armand de Brignac champagne sponsored a private party in London in February that was hosted by Marc Jacques Burton and Machine Gun Kelly. (Photo by Max Cisotti/for The Rex Rooms) The spirits deemed best by the judges this year are: There were about 1,000 samples of spirits entered in the competition. The samples were blind-tasted and graded on a 100-point scale based on a series of criteria related to appearance, aroma, taste and finish. Top scores in each class of spirits advanced to a championship round where Minnick and an expert in each specific class blind-tasted the samples and choose a champion during a live streaming event. The ASCOT Awards debuted in 2021, when Minnick founded the American Spirits Council of Tasters. He has written seven books and plans to next year release a new book Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Chilco River Holdings to Host Exclusive Premium Whiskey Bourbon & RTD Tasting Event at Crazy Pour in Villa Park, IL
Los Angelas, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 16, 2025) - Chilco River Holdings, Inc. (OTC Pink: CRVH) ('Chilco' or the 'Company'), a dynamic holding company and diversified business accelerator, is excited to announce an exclusive tasting event showcasing its premier whiskey bourbon and newly developed ready-to-drink (RTD) mixer line. The event will take place Friday, June 20th from 5 PM to 9 PM at Crazy Pour, a premier sports and entertainment venue located just outside of Chicago in Villa Park. Crazy Pour, known for its vibrant atmosphere, more than 160 HDTVs, and wide selection of craft beverages, provides the perfect setting for guests to experience Chilco River's latest innovations in the spirits category. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample the company's high-quality bourbon crafted for the modern gentleman in addition to its bold new RTD cocktails available in multiple flavors designed to compete in the rapidly growing $10B+ convenience beverage space. 'We're thrilled to welcome Chilco River Holdings to Crazy Pour for this exciting tasting event,' said Sergio Lazzara, owner of Crazy Pour. 'As a supporter of innovation in the beverage industry, I'm proud to host a night where people can enjoy great drinks, connect with the team behind these brands, and see what's next in the world of spirits.' The tasting will include complimentary food and beverages and will be attended by the Chilco River team along with select investors, distributors, and industry subject matter experts. It promises to be an engaging evening for all attendees, whether they're curious consumers, retail buyers, or potential partners. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected]. About Chilco River Holdings, Inc. Chilco River Holdings, Inc. is a strategic holding company and business accelerator focused on building long-term value through the acquisition, development, and growth of diversified businesses. With a core emphasis on the premium alcoholic beverage sector, Chilco River specializes in high-quality spirits and innovative ready-to-drink (RTD) products. The Company leverages operational expertise, brand development capabilities, and strategic partnerships to drive sustainable growth across its portfolio. About Crazy Pour Located in Villa Park, IL, Crazy Pour is one of Chicagoland's premier sports bar and entertainment venues, featuring an expansive beer list, modern pub fare, and a dynamic event space ideal for private and promotional events. For media or investor inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations Chilco River Holdings, Inc. Email: [email protected] Website: To view the source version of this press release, please visit
