Whisky Advocate - Top 20 - the most exciting whiskies of 2023

whisky advocate | December 8, 2023

[Excerpt]

Our Top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your notice. This assortment features hidden gems offering exceptional value, standout examples leading their respective styles, and superbly crafted bottles worth seeking out. Above all, each whisky in this list stands out as a beacon of excitement, highlighting the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings.

#15 Old Elk Port Cask Finish Bourbon

Score: 94 Points

A high-malt bourbon that’s part of Colorado whiskey maker Old Elk’s Cask Finish series, this dram kicks off with sugared grapefruit, Fruit Roll-Ups, cherry cola, and vanilla bean crème brûlée. The palate is redolent with spice and fruit, practically oozing with red berry compote, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and a bit of nuttiness. Add water, and those chocolate and cinnamon notes become even more vibrant. On the finish, there’s candied sweetness and more spice, both also expanding delightfully with a dash of water. —Julia Higgins

About The Whisky Advocate TOP 20

Each year, the Whisky Advocate Buying Guide's expert team samples an array of whiskies, encompassing rare, limited editions, and up-and-coming brands likely to hit store shelves nationwide. Our Top 20 list starts with whiskies scoring 90 or above (“outstanding”) on our 100-point scale. But, this list isn't just our highest-rated whiskies; many are too rare for general access. Hence, we also weigh in value (price) and accessibility.

A crucial step in assessing these whiskies' true worth is a blind tasting by an international panel. Reviewers taste the contenders in a series of blind flights, unaware of each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price. This panel's average ratings take precedence over the initial Buying Guide scores, although individual reviews remain recorded. The final Top 20 ranking is based on a balanced consideration of average score, price, and availability.

Read the full article at whiskyadvocate.com