The Whiskey Of The Year, According To The SF World Spirits Competition

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), one of the world’s most prestigious spirit competitions, has announced its inaugural American Whiskey and Scotch Whisky of the Year. Below is a brief rundown of the Whiskey of the Year and the ten whiskeys judged the best of 2024.

According to Amanda Blue, President of the Tasting Alliance, the organization that sponsors the SFWSC:

The SFWSC is the largest whiskey-judging competition in the world. Every year, we judge almost a thousand whiskies. Our judges, who are among the best in the world and many recognized as leading whiskey authorities, select the best whiskeys based on their high quality, accessibility, and affordability. These ten whiskeys were chosen for their outstanding performance in these criteria and belong in every home whiskey collection.

Steve Beal, SFWSC's Senior Judge and Chair of Whiskey, added:

In crafting the SFWSC whiskey of the year, we looked at perennial medalists who were outstanding in quality and affordable. The Old Parr 12 YO, the Scotch Whisky of the Year, retails for under $40, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, the American Whiskey of the Year, retails for around $90, an outstanding price for a 59.5% ABV, barrel-proof bourbon.

He went on to note:

The ten whiskies of the year are outstanding. They have been perennial medalists at the SFWSC and other major competitions worldwide.

The American whiskey of the year is Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 Straight Bourbon. The SFWSC described this cask-strength bourbon as exhibiting:

The American whiskey of the year, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, is a cask-strength bourbon that offers a bold and aromatic profile, with clove, butterscotch, and cinnamon on the nose and palate, followed by a sweet and long finish.

Owned by Heaven Hill, Elijah Craig is a legacy brand whose history is closely intertwined with the history of American whiskey. This recognition from the SFWSC is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and affordability. This is a bargain for a cask-strength bourbon at an average retail price of $90!

The Scotch Whisky of the Year is Old Parr 12 YO Blended Scotch. Old Parr is one of the best-selling Scotch whiskies in America and is a mainstay of many on-premises well drinks. It’s little known, however, which is a pity, as it is an outstanding Scotch whisky offering exceptional quality at an excellent price.

The SFWSC Judging Panel described the Old Parr as:

A refreshing scotch with notes of fresh wood, vanilla, and spice on the nose and palate, followed by a lingering finish.

Eight other whiskeys, each with their unique characteristics and flavors, also made the 2024 Whiskeys of the Year. These whiskeys were chosen for their exceptional quality and affordability, making them excellent additions to any whiskey collection.

Starlight Distillery Single Barrel Indiana Straight Wheat Whiskey was voted the Best Wheat Whiskey at the 2024 SFWSC. The Judging Panel described the whiskey as expressing:

A rich and flavorful profile with notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon on the nose and palate, followed by a smooth, long finish.

Eau Claire Distillery Rupert's Exceptional Canadian Whisky was the top-rated Canadian whisky. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the Canadian whisky as showing:

A warm and inviting profile, with notes of oak, spices, and vanilla on the nose, a palate of ginger, vanilla, and oak, followed by a lingering finish.

Tabby Road Single Barrel Rye Whiskey (#1B) was the highest-rated rye whiskey. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring:

A balanced and intriguing profile, with notes of caramel and spices on the nose, a palate of spices and herbs, followed by a warm and smooth finish.

American blended whiskeys are one of the fastest-growing whiskey segments, albeit from a small base. The highest-rated American blended whiskey was King's Family Distillery Tennessee Standard Whiskey. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as exhibiting:

A bold and aromatic profile, with cinnamon and caramel on the nose, spices and tobacco on the palate, followed by a subtle yet fiery finish.

Wheated bourbons are becoming increasingly popular, driven partly by the cult status surrounding the Pappy Van Winkle and W.E. Weller expressions. John E Fitzerald Larceny Barrel Proof A124 Bourbon offers exceptional quality and value. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the bourbon as showcasing:

A rich and balanced profile, with vanilla, oak, and caramel on the nose and palate, followed by a warm, lingering finish.

Stranahan's Original Single Malt Whiskey was the top-ranked American single malt whiskey (ASM). Now officially recognized as a category of American whiskey by the TTB, ASM is just hitting its stride. Stranahan, an early proponent of the category, is one of its leading lights.

The SFWSC Judging Panel described Stranahan’s as showing:

A creamy texture with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, and caramel, leading to a finish of pepper, oak, and leather.

Highland Park 15 YO Single Malt Scotch has been a perennial medalist in international spirit competitions and is widely considered one of the top-rated single malt Scotch whiskies. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whisky as expressing:

A bold scotch with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and tropical fruits on the nose, followed by light smoke on the palate and a smooth, flavorful finish.

These ten whiskies were judged the best whiskeys of 2024 by the SFWSC. They were chosen both for their outstanding quality and excellent pricing. This is particularly true for the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, the American Whiskey of the Year, and the Old Parr 12 YO, the Scotch Whisky of the Year. All these whiskies are outstanding. They are affordable and would make excellent additions to your home whiskey collection.

See also The Bourbons of the Year According to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for an in-depth view at the top bourbon whiskey.

Cheers