Pappy 20 named Best Bourbon in SF Spirits Competition

[Sijan]

Press release from Buffalo Trace:

http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/450501.html

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky., March 25 --

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) announced the 2008 winners. Buffalo Trace Distillery was named "Distillery of the Year." This is the first time in the competition's history an American distillery has taken home this honor. The SFWSC is the largest spirits competition in the United States with more than 800 products from 63 different countries participating in this year's event.

The whiskies of Buffalo Trace Distillery also earned a plethora of medals. "Best Bourbon" was presented to Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon earned a Double Gold Medal for the fifth time. Double Gold is the competition's highest ranking medal and the "Best" designation is the highest award given in each category.

[...]

The winning whiskies from Buffalo Trace Distillery include:

-- Best Bourbon, Double Gold Medal, Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year-Old Kentucky

Straight Bourbon Whiskey

-- Double Gold Medal, Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon

-- Double Gold Medal, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

-- Double Gold Medal, George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

-- Gold Medal, Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 Year-Old Kentucky Straight

Bourbon Whiskey

-- Gold Medal, Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon

-- Gold Medal, William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

-- Gold Medal, Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

-- Silver Medal, Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon

-- Bronze Medal, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

[Sijan]

I found this odd:

Highland Park, 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch, Orkney Islands, Scotland, was named "Best in Show-Whisk(e)y."

[...]

Winners in the whisk(e)y category include: Jameson, Rare Vintage Irish Whiskey as "Top Irish Whiskey," and Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey as "Top North American Whisk(e)y." Chivas Regal, 25 Year Old Scotch was "Top Blended Scotch," and Pappy Van Winkle, Kentucky Straight Bourbon took "Top Bourbon."

From: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/americas-number-one-spirits-competition-evaluates-the-most-entries-ever,323278.shtml

[TNbourbon]

Well, along the same lines, here's WhiskyMag's "Icons of Whisky 2008", which I keep assuming will be announced publicly, since I've had it bookmarked for almost a month:

http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/icons_of_whisky/

LeNell, the 'Retailer of the Year, Single Outlet', is a forum member.

[barturtle]

Since there was no Top Single Malt Scotch, I would guess HP 12 won that and was chosen from all the Top Whiskies to be Best in Show Whisk(e)y.

I wonder which Rittenhouse it was that won...

[DrinkyBanjo]

This will make you discount the value of a medal received at the SFWSC.

http://www.maltadvocate.com/what-does-john-know.asp

[barturtle]

I had done that math myself...seems there were only about 100 that didn't get a medal...I'd like to see the losers list.

[NorCalBoozer]

We should start a yearly SB.com awards!! We already spend so much time drinking, evaluating and discussing these bourbons I think we could do a damn good job and I think it might be meaningful to the distillers as well.

Greg

This will make you discount the value of a medal received at the SFWSC.

http://www.maltadvocate.com/what-does-john-know.asp

[barturtle]

We should start a yearly SB.com awards!! We already spend so much time drinking, evaluating and discussing these bourbons I think we could do a damn good job and I think it might be meaningful to the distillers as well.

Greg

Great idea. We just get the distillers to send a bottle and $400. With about 150 or so bottlings that should cover expenses for about 25 of us to congregate and do the tasting (airfare, lodging, meals). We would need a good location for serious contemplation of the products...I'm thinking Key West.

[Jazzhead]

Or perhaps conduct an on-line poll with a set number of "nominations" in various categories. Members presumably would be able to vote just once. Hardly scientific but the winners would deserve their status, given the erudition and taste of the members of this forum.

[CorvallisCracker]

Great idea. We just get the distillers to send a bottle and $400. With about 150 or so bottlings that should cover expenses for about 25 of us to congregate and do the tasting...

Uh-huh. So who picks the 25?

Or perhaps conduct an on-line poll with a set number of "nominations" in various categories. Members presumably would be able to vote just once. Hardly scientific but the winners would deserve their status, given the erudition and taste of the members of this forum.

I like that one. Restrict it to current production or releases (i.e., no Hirsch 20 or 2003 BTAC).

Possible categories:

Best corn/rye bourbon.

Best corn/wheat bourbon.

Best rye.

Best straight whiskey under $25.

Best bourbon overall.

[cowdery]

Well, along the same lines, here's WhiskyMag's "Icons of Whisky 2008", which I keep assuming will be announced publicly, since I've had it bookmarked for almost a month:

http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/icons_of_whisky/

LeNell, the 'Retailer of the Year, Single Outlet', is a forum member.

It's in the current issue, with a picture of our gal. My copy came yesterday.

WHISKY seems to come out in the U.S. about two weeks after it does in Europe. I don't know why. Perhaps they ship the issues in bulk so they can be mailed from within the USA and that's what takes the extra time.

[barturtle]

Uh-huh. So who picks the 25?

Honestly, I was thinking 25 people would be a heck of a turnout. The dinner at the Sampler only has 30 people and that includes wives and friends and such. Plus that was the number of judges at the SF Competition. But mostly, since the odds of the distillers sending us all on an expenses paid trip is about nil, I wasn't worried about it.

[Joeluka]

It's in the current issue, with a picture of our gal. My copy came yesterday.

WHISKY seems to come out in the U.S. about two weeks after it does in Europe. I don't know why. Perhaps they ship the issues in bulk so they can be mailed from within the USA and that's what takes the extra time.

I think they print the US version somewhere in New Jersey.

[CorvallisCracker]

Honestly, I was thinking 25 people would be a heck of a turnout. The dinner at the Sampler only has 30 people and that includes wives and friends and such. Plus that was the number of judges at the SF Competition. But mostly, since the odds of the distillers sending us all on an expenses paid trip is about nil, I wasn't worried about it.

You're right, it ain't gonna happen, and I shouldn't have let it bother me. My apologies.

"If you can heat some bourbon, I can drink it," said the kzin. "If you cannot heat it, I can still drink it."

Would that be Chmeee, Speaker-to-Animals?

[barturtle]

Would that be Chmeee, Speaker-to-Animals?

That would be correct.:cool: