2022 International Whisky
Competition Official Results

Thank You for making the International Whisky Competition® The World's Most-Followed Whisky Competition.

The 13th Edition of the International Whisky Competition took place in the beautiful mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado.

Only one Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze medal are awarded per category (unless tied)

Results presented by: Le Nez du Whisky & Le Nez du Bourbon

Scroll down for results or download here: IWC 2022 Official Results

Whisky of the Year

 
 

TOP AWARDS

Whisky of the Year
Aberlour A’bunadh - Batch #70 – (95.8 points)

Master Distiller of the Year
Graeme Cruickshank
Aberlour Distillery (Speyside, Scotland)

Golden Barrel Trophy
Aberlour Distillery (Speyside, Scotland)

Distillery of the Year
Ardbeg Distillery – 92.59 Avg/Pts (Islay, Scotland)

Master Blender of the Year
Stephanie Macleod
John Dewar & Sons (Scotland)

TOP 15 Whiskies of 2022

  1. Aberlour A'Bundah - Batch #70 – 95.8 Pts (Speyside, Scotland)
  2. Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts (Islay, Scotland)
  3. Dewar's Double Double 32 Year Old – 94.4 Pts (Scotland)
  4. Dewar's Double Double 36 Year Old – 94.3 Pts (Scotland)
  5. Ardbeg Corravreckan – 93.8 Pts (Islay, Scotland)
  6. Ardbeg Uigeadail – 93.6 Pts (Islay, Scotland)
  7. Dewar's Double Double 27 Year Old – 93.55 Pts (Scotland)
  8. W.L. Weller Special Reserve – 93.48 Pts (Kentucky, USA)
  9. Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.43 Pts (Taiwan)
  10. Starward Unexpeated – 93.4 Pts (Australia)
  11. MORRIS Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel – 92.9 Pts (Australia)
  12. Glenmorangie Lasanta - 12 Year Old – 92.8 Pts (Highland, Scotland)
  13. Ardbeg For Discussion - 8 Year Old – 92.8 Pts (Islay, Scotland)
  14. Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 92.7 Pts (Taiwan)
  15. Glenmorangie Signet – 92.65 Pts (Highland, Scotland)

Note: We do not list whiskies that scored under 85 points unless requested by the competing distillery.

SCOTLAND

Best Single Malt Scotch

  1. 1st Place: Aberlour A'Bundah – 95.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Ardbeg Corravreckan – 93.8 Pts

Best New Scotch Release

  1. 1st Place: Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 36 Year Old – 94.3 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Ardbeg For Discussion - 8 Year Old – 92.8 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch NAS (No Age Statement)

  1. 1st Place: Aberlour A'Bundah – 95.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Ardbeg Corravreckan – 93.8 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old and Under

  1. 1st Place: Ardbeg For Discussion - 8 Year Old – 92.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Wee Beastie - 5 Year Old – 92.3 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Glenmorangie The Original - 10 Year Old – 91.6 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old – 92.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Accord 12 Year Old – 91.7 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Aberlour 12 – 90.9 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 13-14 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – 92.2 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Fermutation 13 Year Old – 90.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Glenmorangie Elementa 14 Year Old – 89.7 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 15 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate Batch No. 2 - 15 Year Old – 91 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: The Glenlivet 15 Year Old – 87.7 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Bowmore 15 Year Old – 87.5 pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 16-17 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Glenmorangie The Tribute 16 Year Old – 90.9 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Aberlour 16 – 88.9 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Glenfarclas 17 Year Old – 87.5 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 18 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Aberlour 18 – 90.7 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – 90.3 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old - Extremely Rare – 89.8 Pts

Best Single Malt Scotch 19-25 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Ardbeg 25 Year Old – 92.45 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 3) – 91.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Glenmorangie 19 Year Old - Finest Reserve – 90 Pts

Best Peated Single Malt

  1. 1st Place: Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Corravreckan – 93.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 93.6 Pts

Best Islay Single Malt

  1. 1st Place: Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Corravreckan – 93.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 93.6 Pts

Best Highland Single Malt

  1. 1st Place: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old – 92.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Glenmorangie Signet – 92.7 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – 92.2 Pts

Best Speyside Single Malt

  1. 1st Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh – 95.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh Alba - Batch 4 – 92.5 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Aberlour Casg Annamh - Batch 5 – 91.4 Pts

Best Lowland Single Malt

  1. 1st Place: Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Peated – 89.1 Pts

Best Cask Strength Scotch

  1. 1st Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh– 95.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Ardbeg Corryvreckan – 93.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 93.6 Pts

Best Blended Scotch

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 32 Year Old – 94.4 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 36 Year Old – 94.3 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 27 Year Old – 93.55 Pts

Best Blended Scotch 10 Year and Under

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s Ilegal Smooth - 8 Year Old – 91.9 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dewar’s Portuguese Smooth - 8 Year Old– 91 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Dewar’s Japanese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 90 Pts

Best Blended Scotch 12-15 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s 15 Year - Old The Monarch – 89.1 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dewar’s 12 Year - Old The Ancestor – 87.5 Pts

Best Blended Scotch 16-20 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s 18 Year Old - The Vintage – 89.6 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Chivas 18 Year Old – 88.2 Pts

Best Blended Scotch 21-24 Year Old

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 21 Year Old – 91.43 Pts

Best Blended Scotch 25 Year Old And Over

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 32 Year Old – 94.4 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 36 Year Old – 94.3 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Dewar’s Double Double - 27 Year Old – 93.6 Pts

Best Blended Scotch - NAS

  1. 1st Place: Dewar’s White Label – 87.5 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: William Lawson's Blended Scotch Whisky – 86.7 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky – 85.1 Pts

USA

Best American Whiskey (All Categories)

  1. 1st Place: W.L. Weller Special Reserve – 93.48 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Jefferson's Reserve - Very Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 92.15 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Maker's Mark Private Selection - Rico's #4 – 92.1 Pts

Best Bourbon Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: W.L. Weller Special Reserve – 93.48 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Jefferson's Reserve - Very Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 92.15 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Maker’s Mark Private Select - Rico’s #4 – 92.1 Pts

Best Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (Full Proof)

  1. 1st Place: Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 92.03 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Maker's Mark Cask Strength – 91.37 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Mad Paddle Bourbon - Single Barrel - Cask Strength – 90.8 Pts

Best Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: W.L. Weller Single Barrel – 91.3 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Mad Paddle Bourbon - Single Barrel - Cask Strength – 90.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel – 89.4 Pts

Best American Single Malt Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Courage & Conviction - American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Courage & Conviction - American Single Malt - Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Hood River Distillery - McCarthy's Single Malt Whiskey – 90.5 Pts

Best American Corn Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Stilhouse 100% Corn Whiskey – 88.2 Pts

Best Rye Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey – 89.6 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: MB Rye - Single Barrel – 89.1 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye Whiskey – 87.2 Pts

Best Micro Distillery Whiskey (Under 150,000 bottles)

  1. 1st Place: Courage & Conviction - American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Mad Paddle Bourbon - Single Barrel - Cask Strength – 90.8 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: McCarthy's Single Malt Whiskey – 90.5 Pts

Best Idaho Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Warfield Organic American Whiskey – 86.4 Pts

Best Indiana Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Mad Paddle Bourbon - Single Barrel - Cask Strength – 90.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Mad Paddle Bourbon - Single Barrel – 89.1 Pts

Best Kentucky Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 93.48 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Jefferson's Reserve - Very Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 92.15 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Maker's Mark Private Selection - Rico's #4 – 92.1 Pts

Best North Carolina Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Weldon Mills Reserve Bourbon –

CANADA

Best Canadian Whisky

  1. 1st Place: Canadian Club 100% Rye – 92.1 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dunrobin Canadian Rye Whisky – 91.1 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Bearface Canadian Whisky Wilderness Series 01 – 91 Pts

Best Canadian Blended Whisky

  1. 1st Place: Seagram's 83 – 89.8 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Seagram's VO – 89.6 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Canadian Club Classic - 12 Year Old – 89.3 Pts

Best Canadian Rye Whisky

  1. 1st Place: Canadian Club 100% Rye – 92.1 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Dunrobin Canadian Rye Whisky – 91.1 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Alberta Premium Cask Strength – 90.1 Pts

IRELAND

Best Irish Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Athrú Annacoona – 91.2 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Lost Irish Whiskey – 89.5 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Grace O'Malley Blended Irish Whiskey – 89.4 Pts

Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Athrú Annacoona – 91.2 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Athrú Keshcorran – 88.6 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Athrú Knocknarea – 86.8 Pts

Best Blended Irish Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Lost Irish Whiskey – 89.5 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Grace O'Malley Blended Irish Whiskey – 89.4 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Proclamation Blended Irish Whiskey – 85.4 Pts

WORLD

Best World Whisky*

  1. 1st Place: Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.43 Pts (Taiwan)
  2. 2nd Place: Starward Unexpeated – 93.4 Pts (Australia)
  3. 3rd Place: MORRIS Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel – 92.9 Pts (Australia)

Best World Whisky - Cask Strength*

  1. 1st Place: Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.43 Pts (Taiwan)
  2. 2nd Place: Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 92.7 Pts (Taiwan)
  3. 3rd Place: Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 92.3 Pts (Taiwan)

* All countries not represented in the above categories. Must score 85 Pts and above to be listed.

Best Australian Whisky

  1. 1st Place: Starward Unexpeated – 93.4 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: MORRIS Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel – 92.9 Pts (Australia)
  3. 3rd Place: Starward Twany #2 – 92.05 Pts

Best Indian Whisky

  1. 1st Place: Indri - Single Malt - The Three Wood – 89.2 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky – 87.2 Pts
  3. 3rd Place: Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky – 86.7 Pts

Best Myanmar Whisky

  1. 1st Place: Glan Master Finest – 91.54 Pts
  2. 2nd Place: Glan Master Smooth – 91.2 Pts

OTHER WHISKIES

Best Flavored Whiskey

  1. 1st Place: Just Ledoux it - Cinnamon Clove Honey Flavored Whiskey
  2. 2nd Place: Dough Ball - Cookie Dough Whiskey
  3. 3rd Place: Devil's Sister - Peach

WHISKY BASED RTDs

Best Whisky Based RTD Cocktail

  1. 1st Place: Curation Bev Co - Sweet Tea Old-Fashioned (USA)
  2. 2nd Place: Wabasso - Whis Key Lime Whisky Beverage (Canada)
  3. 3rd Place: Just Le Doux It - Smoke & Spiced Old Fashioned (USA)

2022 Whiskies Scoring Over 90 Points

  1. Aberlour A'bundah Batch - #70 – 95.8 Pts
  2. Ardbeg Ardcore – 94.9 Pts
  3. Dewar's Double Double 32-Year-Old – 94.4 Pts
  4. Dewar's Double Double 36-Year-Old – 94.3 Pts
  5. Ardbeg Corryvreckan – 93.8 Pts
  6. Ardbeg Uigeadail – 93.6 Pts
  7. Dewar's Double Double 27-Year-Old – 93.55 Pts
  8. W.L. Weller Special Reserve – 93.48 Pts
  9. Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.43 Pts
  10. Starward Unexpeated – 93.4 Pts
  11. MORRIS Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel – 92.9 Pts
  12. Glenmorangie The Lasanta – 92.8 Pts
  13. Ardbeg 8 Years Old For Discussion – 92.8 Pts
  14. Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 92.7 Pts
  15. Glenmorangie Signet – 92.65 Pts
  16. Ardbeg 25 Years Old – 92.45 Pts
  17. Aberlour A'bunadh Alba - Batch #4 – 92.43 Pts
  18. Ardbeg Wee Beastie – 92.3 Pts
  19. Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength – 92.3 Pts
  20. Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban – 92.2 Pts
  21. Jefferson's Reserve - Very Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 92.15 Pts
  22. Maker's Mark Private Selection - Rico's #4 – 92.1 Pts
  23. Starward Tawny #2 – 92.05 Pts
  24. Canadian Club 100% Rye – 92.03 Pts
  25. Stagg Jr. – 92.02 Pts
  26. Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92 Pts
  27. Dewar's Ilegal Smooth Mezcal Cask Finish – 91.9 Pts
  28. Ardbeg AN OA – 91.8 Pts
  29. Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 years old Batch No. 3 – 91.8 Pts
  30. Glenmorangie The Accord – 91.7 Pts
  31. Courage & Conviction American Single Malt Whisky – 91.69 Pts
  32. Glenmorangie The Original – 91.6 Pts
  33. Ardbeg Ten Years Old – 91.55 Pts
  34. Glan Master Finest – 91.54 Pts
  35. Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon – 91.53 Pts
  36. Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Cask Finish – 91.5 Pts
  37. Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 91.5 Pts
  38. Aberlour Casg Annamh - Batch #5 – 91.38 Pts
  39. Maker's Mark Cask Strength – 91.37 Pts
  40. Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – 91.35 Pts
  41. Starward Ginger Beer Cask Projects Batch #6 – 91.34 Pts
  42. W.L. Weller Single Barrel – 91.3 Pts
  43. Starward Solera – 91.29 Pts
  44. Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky – 91.25 Pts
  45. Glan Master Smooth – 91.2 Pts
  46. Courage & Conviction American Single Malt Whisky Cuvee Cask – 91.2 Pts
  47. Athrú Annacoona – 91.15 Pts
  48. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02 – 91.15 Pts
  49. X by Glenmorangie – 91.10 Pts
  50. Dunrobin Canadian Rye Whisky – 91.10 Pts
  51. BEARFACE Canadian Whisky Wilderness Series 01 – 91 Pts
  52. Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate - Batch 2 - 15 YO – 91 Pts
  53. Glenmorangie Cake – NAS – 91 Pts
  54. Dewar’s 8 YO Port Cask finish – 91 Pts
  55. King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky – 90.9 Pts
  56. Glenmorangie The Tribute - 16 Year Old – 90.9 Pts
  57. Aberlour 12 – 90.9 Pts
  58. Ardbeg Fermutation - 13 Year Old – 90.8 Pts
  59. Mad Paddle Bourbon - Single Barrel - Cask Strength – 90.8 Pts
  60. Aberlour 18 – 90.7 Pts
  61. W.L Weller Full Proof - 90.6 Pts
  62. McCarthy's Single Malt Whiskey – 90.5 Pts
  63. W.L Weller CYPB – 90.4 Pts
  64. Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky – 90.4 Pts
  65. Starward Two-Fold – 90.3 Pts
  66. The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – 90.3 Pts
  67. MB Single Malt – 90.2 Pts
  68. W.L. Weller Antique – 90 Pts
  69. Glenmorangie 19 Year Old - Finest Reserve – 90 Pts
  70. Dewar’s 8 YO Mizunara Cask finish – 90 Pts

Acknowledgments

The International Whisky Competition Committee would like to thank its judges for their professionalism and hard work as well as our official sponsor Le Nez du Whisky – Le Nez du Bourbon (Wine Aromas Inc) for their ongoing support.

Special thanks to Thomas Cox for arranging the competition to be held in Estes Park, CO at the Fall River Village & Skyview event center.

We would also like to thank all staff members (Mo, Samantha, Leif, Shane, Ian, Wilhem, and Scott) and our independent consultants (designers, auditors and our TTB, FDA & Import specialist: Mark Newman) for the hard work they put into it making it possible.

The International Whisky Competition Committee.

Contact Information

International Whisky Competition®
E: info@whiskycompetition.com | T: +1 702 234 3602

International Whisky Competition® is a registered Trademark