On February 8th, 2024, the World Whiskey Awards announced their American Whiskey Awards. The list includes a mix of well-known distilleries and a few you wouldn’t expect. What surprised us most was that a few Colorado distilleries popped up on the list. It’s not that we don’t think the Colorado whiskies that won aren’t good. All the winners make excellent whiskey. The surprising part is that the great options we have in Colorado are finally being recognized.
Icons of Whiskey Award
This year, Heaven Hill was awarded the Icons of Whiskey award. We have long been fans of Heaven Hill products. Evan Williams BiB has long been our go-to daily drinker. It also continues to be a great budget option, retailing for about $33 for the 1.75L bottle in our area.
In 2023, Heaven Hill ramped up the distribution of one of our favorite offerings, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond. Bottled-in-bond whiskeys are one of our favorites because you know exactly what you are getting. In the case of Heaven Hill BiB, you are getting a 7-year-old bourbon bottled at 100 proof. We love the rich vanilla and oak flavors and each sip’s mellow, spicy finish. You might even find this excellent bottle at your local Costco. Try it and let us know your thoughts.
Master Distiller of the Year
Old Elk has some of the best wheat bourbon offerings west of the Mississippi. We absolutely loved the store pick Old Elk Wheated Bourbon we picked up a while back. Given Old Elk’s extraordinary products, we were excited to see Greg Metze recognized for his work. Metze received the Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year. If you have yet to try Old Elk, you should pick up a bottle while you can. We think Old Elk will become one of the most sought-after bottles in the near future.
Best Non-Kentucky Finished Bourbon
Another Colorado brand recognized at the World Whiskey Awards was Breckenridge Bourbon. This time, they landed the award for the Best Non-Kentucky Finished Bourbon. I am a huge fan of port and sherry cask-finished whiskeys. Breckenridge Bourbon took home the prize for their Port Cask Finish. Breckenridge Whiskey stepped up their game to turn the Port Cask Finished Bourbon into one of the best bottles we’ve tried this year. Try it for yourself, and let us know what you think.
Best Non-Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon
The Best Non-Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon winner is from Laws Whiskey House. They received the World Whiskey Awards for their Four Grain Cask Strength Bourbon this year. Laws have been on our radar for the past several years due to their unique sourcing of ingredients. The folks at Laws Whiskey House work directly with Colorado farmers in the San Luis Valley to acquire ancient heirloom grains. They are one of the most innovative distilleries in the country. If you want a unique bourbon that drinks more like a single malt, we recommend trying the Laws Four Grain Bourbon.
World Whiskey Awards Closing Thoughts
The World Whiskies Awards offers brands an opportunity to showcase their best spirits. We like checking out these lists because they give us some good ideas about which bottles to watch when we visit our local liquor store. If you plan a trip to Colorado, make a point to visit some of these great distilleries. You will find a bottle you love and won’t have to pay secondary prices.
Getting caught up in the Buffalo Trace hunt or the marketing hype of a new celebrity whiskey is easy. However, award-winning whiskies are often better priced, more unique, and easier to find. If you are looking for the next great bottle, check out the list and try something new. Your wallet and palate will thank you.
Happy Exploring!
