World Whisky Day was founded by Blair Bowman in 2012 and established by Scotland in 2014 on the third Saturday of May each year.
Today (15 May) is this year's World Whisky Day. Affected by the epidemic, we may not be able to organize a variety of celebrations, let alone go to the world's major whisky regions to explore the mystery of the wine, but we who love whisky can celebrate our common holiday in the simplest, most direct and most pious way: pour a cup of pleasant whisky and enjoy our own exclusive day alone.
Take this opportunity to present you with a recommended 25 whiskies before you die. Due to space limitations, there are too many classic whiskies to include, and I hope to forgive. Of course, you have every right to leave in the comments section what you think you must drink before you die. At the same time, this is not a wine list that is more expensive and better. Most of the 25 recommended whiskies are approachable and relatively easy to buy. Most importantly, every whisky is so unique, so classic. I think it's going to be something every whisky fan will love.
The following 25 whiskies are arranged in alphabetical order:
— Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Alcohol: 57.1% ABV, origin: Islay, Scotland
Ardbeg is a temple among whisky fans all over the world. Named after Corryvreckan, Europe's largest and the world's second largest whirlpool near Islay, the wine is imbued with raw, attractive power. Released in 2008, the wine is proud and untamed, making it one of the most peat, smoky and complex in Islay. Winner of the World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2010 World Whisky Awards (WWA).
Last year, Abe released a 5-year-old Ardbeg Wee Beastie, 47.4% ABV, described by the distillery as "the youngest, wildest, most smoky product ever made." Alcoholics who like Abbe's strong smoky can taste it in a bottle of comparison.
Bainbridge Battle Point Organic Wheat Whisky
Alcohol: 43% ABV, Origin: USA
Wheat whisky may be unfamiliar to many whisky beginners, this wheat whisky from the first USDA certified 100% organic spirits distillery in Washington State, USAIS, has won numerous awards, such as the 2014 and 2017 World Whisky Awards WWA "World's Best Wheat Whisky", the 2018 and 2019 World Whisky Awards WWA "America's Best Wheat Whisky" and so on. The wine is brewed from the distillery's own wheat and matured for 2 years in 10 gallon American white oak barrels baked in Class 3. The aromas are rich and complex, with hints of vanilla, eucalyptus and sherry, with the aroma of fresh barrel charred, with a long aftertaste and a hint of salty brine.
- Johnnie Ginni Plus Black Label
ABV: 40% ABV, Origin: Scotland
The Black Label has earned the respect of wine fans for its unrivalled price-performance ratio and mellow and complex taste, making it one of the most recognized blended whiskies in the world. Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible, once said that "if there's a silkier product on the market today, I haven't seen it yet: it's a sublime thing... One of the most exquisite whiskies in the world, in its complex glory. "It is said that he drinks black cards once a week. Winner of the World Whisky Awards (WWA) for the world's best blended whisky.
Diageo's stock of more than 10 million barrels of original wine and its impressive team of blenders have made the Johnnie Walker range of blended whiskies brilliant. If you don't think black cards are expensive enough, try the Blue Label.
— Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 YO
Alcohol: 50% ABV, origin: Islay, Scotland
This approachable 10-year-old whisky has all the qualities a perfect whisky has, non-condensing filtered, natural colours, matured in first-filled, refilled American oak barrels and refilled French wine barrels, rich in aroma, rich in taste and quite delicious. It was named the 2021 Wine of the Year by The Whisky Exchange, a world-renowned whisky trading website.
Bruichladich is one of the few traditional whisky distilleries that places a strong emphasis on the concept of terroir, and they have made a great contribution to the study of whisky terroir. The distillery insists on the traditional six-sided barley (known as Gudra barley) on the Scottish island of Airey. In order to guarantee the supply of traditional barley, they have signed long-term supply agreements with 13 farms on the island and maintain close relations with farmers. The distillery uses Islay barley, the island's natural spring water, traditional brewing techniques, distillation, barreling and bottling are all done in the distillery, and a variety of terroir whiskies are very worth drinking.
—Bushmills Single Malt 10 Year Old
Alcohol: 40% ABV, Origin: Ireland
This is a very high-quality Irish single malt whisky, aged in a bourbon barrel for at least 10 years, with a faint fruity and spicy aroma, and a refreshing and pure chocolate and honey in the mouth, which has won the WWA World Whisky Awards for the world's best Irish single malt whisky.
Look at what the world's wine lovers have to say about it, and you'll see how popular this 10-year-old whisky is: "Very gentle, delicate and pleasant, with a significant aftertaste, for me, it's perfect." I've never been a fan of Irish whisky or bourbon, and I was taken aback when I was given Bushmill malt at a friend's dinner party. It was drunk out of courtesy, but to my surprise the wonderful fusion of tastes. "The initial fruity flavor gives a fairly satisfying aftertaste, and the extra highlight is the smoothness that malt gives." I can't wait to buy a bottle. ”
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Alcohol: 45% ABV, Origin: Canada
From Crown Royal, Canada's best-selling whisky brand, rye has a 90% ratio, with typical spice characteristics while having a delicate and smooth taste and a unique herbal aroma. In 2016, the Whisky Bible awarded it number one, with Jim Murray commenting, "I also don't doubt that when you actually drink this bottle of whisky, you will be able to feel its uncompromising and unique beauty, truly belonging to the charm of rye whisky." ”
Dewar's Double Double 21 YO
ABV: 46% ABV, origin: Scotland
The Imperial DD collection is an upgraded version of its original "secondary aging" technique, using a selection of single grain whiskies and single malt whiskies, each aged in separate oak barrels, and then mixing the two to continue aging, and finally the final step is to pass through the barrel to the selected Sherry barrel for final maturation. The final finishing bucket of DD21 is the Oloroso Sherry Bucket, which has flavors of honey, roasted tropical fruits, roasted cashews and smoked wood, smooth and silky. Winner of the World Whisky Awards (WWA) for Best Blended Whisky 2021.
—Deanston 15 Years Organic Whisky
AbV: 46.3% ABV, Origin: Scottish Highlands
Released in 2016, this organic whisky uses the traditional Scottish organic barley variety, Oxbridge, which is organic Food Federation certified non-condensing filtered in natural colours with the warm aromas of sweet fruit and American oak, honey, spices and mild malt notes with gorgeous vanilla notes lingering.
—GlenAllachie 10 Years Old Batch 4
ABV: 56.1% ABV, origin: Spencer, Scotland
Produced by Billy Walker, known as the "world's first nose", this wine is a mixture of a variety of barrel-type original wines, launched in small batches, each batch with a different alcohol content, but bottled at the strength of the original barrel. Batch 4 is rich and sweet with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, syrup, orange and cinnamon. Winner of the Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2021 World Whisky Awards (WWA). At present, the batch market is difficult to find, but the rest of the batch is also of the same level, which is definitely worth a drink.
- Green Spot
Ten million bottles of Irish whiskey, the first bottle of green dot. The Green Dot is the first choice for almost all experts when recommending Irish whiskey and is widely acclaimed around the world. The usual maturation time is 7-10 years, and it is made up of 1/4 of the refilled Sherry barrel whiskey, 3/4 of the refill and refill bourbon barrel whiskey, which is called a fruit bomb, with a strong toffee and malt aroma.
--Hibiki 21 YO
Alcohol: 43% ABV, origin: Japan
This blended whisky has won the title of World's Best Blend Whisky at the World Whisky Awards (WWA) for 6 years and is the world's leading champion. Ring 21 and Ring 17 are one of the two wines launched when the brand was founded in 1989, using the most prestigious Yamazaki, Shirasaki and Chita blends, with rich fruity and sweet taste, like a symphony of smooth harmony, a drop in the mouth, this life is enough.
- Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength
Alcohol: 55.6% ABV, origin: Taiwan
Using the world's best wine barrels, naturally air-dried for two years, the introduction of barbecue barrel technology, the first batch of self-baked hand-baked, showing VINHO's unique special flavor, is a perfect combination of art and science whisky. The judging judges ravely praised the whisky: "Surprisingly smooth taste!" "It's like bourbon with chocolate milk!" ”。
Karmalan refreshes the perception of hot origin whisky. The winery is located in Yilan County, Taiwan, where the average temperature is 15 degrees higher than in Scotland. Compared to Scotland's annual evaporation of 2%-3%, the exaggerated figure of up to 15% annual evaporation here is really distressing. In response to Taiwan's unique climate, the distillery has designed a unique brewing process in the world: before the distillation of the original wine is completed, the bad substances in the liquor are completely removed, leaving only the beautiful substances to grow in the barrel, so that even if the storage time is not long, high-quality original wine can be obtained. Today, Karmalan whisky has won numerous awards. Its classic style is often described as fruity, exceptionally smooth, slightly sweet on the palate, full of wine, often accompanied by flavors such as vanilla, mango, honey, chocolate and so on.
— Kilbeggan Single Grain
AbV: 43% ABV, Origin: Ireland
From one of the oldest distilleries, Gilbergen, it is made from 94% corn and 6% malt and matured in bourbon barrels and various fortified wine barrels. In addition to the yearless, there are 6-year, 8-year, 15-year, and 18-year versions. He has won the 2010, 2011 and 2012 World Whisky Awards WWA World's Best Cereal Whisky. The wine is very smooth and has aromas of creamy vanilla, sweets, pear juice, citrus peel and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate it features sweet and fruity flavours of sparkling sugar, vanilla, orange peel, boiled pear and fresh ginger.
Knob Creek Small Batch 9 YO Bourbon
Alcohol: 50% ABV, Origin: USA
It was first launched in 1992, then discontinued in 2016 due to inventory issues and relaunched in 2021. Made from 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malt, it has deep caramel flavors, oak flavors, molasses flavors, small cherry flavors, and some mild malt and marshmallow flavors. On the palate it is round with the pungent flavor of cherries, and the sweetness of caramel and corn is evident. The aftertaste is long, with a little pine sap, corn syrup candy (caramel corn), a little dry wood tannins.
- Lagavulin 16 YO
Alcohol: 43% ABV, origin: Islay, Scotland
It's an aperitif that pleases anyone and has been praised by countless people for its legendary antics. The peat has a complex flavor, but thanks to slow fermentation and a unique wheat making process, the taste is delicate and warm, like a cup of rich black tea, full and attractive. Earned a 95th grade in the Whiskey Bible. Another whisky giant, the late Single Malt Godfather Michael Jackson, also highly admired Legavirin, who once described the aftertaste of Legavirin for 16 years: "the warmth of a bear hug". He has always scored rigorously and gave a staggering 95 points! You know, he thinks that the 85-point whisky is a very distinctive first-class special whisky.
—Macallan 18 YO Sherry Oak
ABV: 43% ABV, Origin: Spencer, Scotland
McAllen's 18-year-old sherry barrel whisky is one of the most widely acclaimed works since the establishment of the McAllen factory, and you can see it in almost all the high-end bars, well-known restaurants, clubs, and private parties around the world, mainly aged in carefully selected Jerez (Jerez) Shirley oak barrels, with a rich and plump high-estate area color and the unique sweetness of the Spitey River Valley winery.
- Nikka From the Barrel
Alcohol: 51.4% ABV, origin: Japan
Made from Yoichi and Miyagikyo malt whisky original wine and Nikka Coffey Grain whisky blended, yearless, diluted without water before bottling, 51.4%, strong and powerful, full of personality. Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible, commented: "I've been drinking Nikka from the barrel for a long time, but I've never let me down with a bottle so far. Malt Advocate malt advocates have a high score of 92 and rate it as "the blended whisky that single wheat whisky lovers should try the most.".
- Paul John Kanya
Alcohol: 50% ABV, Origin: India
This limited edition single malt whisky from India's star distillery, Paul John, was named the best Asian whisky by the Whisky Bible 2018. Aged for 7 years in American white oak barrels, the wine has a seductive candied fruit flavour with citrus spices and roasted oak notes in the taste buds. To its credit, the distillery's Paul John Mithuna was ranked third in the World's Best Whisky in the Whisky Bible 2021.
- Redbreast 12 Year Old
Like Green Dot, from the Middleton Distillery. Ripe in Bourbon and Shirley barrels, it has sweet fruit, roasted oak and warm spice notes, while the mouth is filled with butter hot cross bread, dried fruit, toasted spices and spicy oak. Anyone who has ever drunk it will be dumped by it. John Hansell, founder of Whisky Advocate, listed it as the best choice in his Buyer's Guide, and Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible, listed it as Ireland's Whisky of the Year 2010.
Russell's Reserve 6-Year Small Batch Straight Rye
Alcohol: 45% ABV, Origin: USA
Based on 51% rye, 37% corn and 12% barley, it has been aged in grade 4 charred (crocodile skin) oak barrels for 6 years, and has won a 96 points from "Wine Enthusiast" and a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. There are floral, vanilla, macaroons and toffee flavors. On the palate it has spicy notes of rye, oak, full spices and caramel. There is a taste of toast and roasted nuts in the aftertaste.
—Springbank Local Barley 11 YO
AbV: 53.1% ABV, origin: Campbell Town, Scotland
Launched from 1990 to 2001 by Genting Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland, the Local Barley range is arguably the ultimate delight of almost all whisky govvests. The raw barley used in the local barley comes from near the Genting distillery, and this series of wines has a rating of more than 90 points on Whiskybase. Genting 11 Local Barley is the 2nd edition limited edition, distilled and aged in February 2006 and bottled in February 2017, with a global limit of 9,000 bottles. The wine is full of fullness and aromas, and the sweet aroma combines with smoky taste.
- Talisker 18 YO
ABV: 45.8% ABV, Origin: Scottish Isles
It's a classic marine-inspired whisky, with peat-roasted malt, long wooden trough fermentation, and specially designed stills and worm barrel condensers that give it a sea-like strong smoky and sulfide flavour that grows into the winery's signature pepper aroma. It has a unique spicy taste and a thin chocolate aroma. But remember, this wine is more than you might think! More peat! More smoke! More fruit! Much more! He was named the world's best single malt whisky at the 2007 WWA World Whisky Awards.
--Taketsuru 21 YO
43% ABV, origin: Japan
It has won the world's best pure wheat whisky in WWA five times, and is the pinnacle of pure wheat whisky. Officially released in November 2000, it is a blend of malt whiskies from Yoichi and Miyagikyo. The strong, thick and rich personality of Yushi malt whisky and the softness of Miyagi Gorge are gentle and gentle, and the harmony of yin and yang creates the characteristics of bamboo crane aroma, rich taste and easy to enter. The extremely high quality coupled with the inexpensive price made the bamboo crane achieve excellent market response as soon as it was listed.
Waterford 1.2 Edition Ballymorgan
AbV: 50% ABV, Origin: Ireland
100% Ballymorgan single farm barley, 50% ABV, distilled in 2006, bottled 3,000 bottles, matured by French wine casks, first-fill bourbon barrels, Virgin oak barrels and Vin Doux Naturel casks. It has a rich sweet grain, fruity flavors (lemon, orange, gooseberry, maybe mango), and a nice bit of chalky soil. At the entrance is an abundance of orchard fruits with a hint of tropical vibes. Taste of apple, orange, pink grapefruit. Then there's the malt flavor, cereal biscuits, pepper and nutmeg. The aftertaste is quite long, with mint and grain and some woody spices.
The distillery was the first in the world to fully brew Single Farm Origin whiskies, with each product coming from a separate farm and labeled with the farm name. In order to express the terroir of the farm as much as possible, the fermentation of the winery lasts up to 120 hours, and all wines are 50% ABV by alcohol, non-condensing and filtered, maintaining natural colors to maximize the preservation of natural and original flavors.
INTERVIEWER Yamazaki 18 YO
This wine is made from original malt liquors that are more than 18 years old, and are fully matured in sherry barrels, and the wine is well-received in 2004, which is a major winner of major spirits competitions and is definitely the most desirable bottle for single malt whisky fans.
Dasu: WSET (International Wine and Spirits Education Foundation) Advanced Accreditation, SMWA (Scottish Single Malt Institute) Advanced Accreditation, dedicated to the education and promotion of wine and spirits. Welcome to follow.