The 5 best whiskeys in the world – according to the International Spirits Competition in New York

The New York International Spirits Competition recently announced its best of show winner, the newly released offering of 18-year-old American Straight Whiskey from Lasso Motel. Previously, the jurors of this prestigious competition awarded several selected alcohols – over 1,400 entries were submitted to this year’s competition – the sought-after double gold medal.

I recently started trying as many double gold medal winning whiskeys as I could get my hands on – some I was trying for the first time, and others are long-time favorites. Ultimately, five of the double gold medal winners at the 2024 New York International Spirits Competition made it to the top of my personal recommendations.

ForbesThe best bourbon in the world – according to Whiskey of the WorldBy Erik OfgangForbes5 affordable scotch whiskeys under $70 – from blended to single maltBy Erik Ofgang

Brother’s Bond bourbon whiskey bottled

Price category: $41-70

Made from a mash of 51% corn, 39% rye and 10% malted rye, this bourbon is distilled at a single distillery for one season and aged for a minimum of seven years using chilled filtration. I’m a fan of Brother’s Bond products in general, and this one creates a nice blend of oak, caramel and vanilla notes.

RittenhouseRye

Price category: $41-70

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond is aged for at least 10 years and is a favorite among bartenders for mixing drinks. Its high level of 100% strength adds to its charm, but while the alcohol provides a bit of bite, it doesn’t take away from the nice, balanced flavor with quite intense rye notes. This has been my personal favorite for a long time.

Ardbeg Whiskey, Uigeadail

Price category: $41-70

Uigeadail (pronounced “Oog-a-dal”) is a Gaelic word meaning “dark, mysterious place,” and this unchill-filtered Islay Scotch lives up to the name. It delivers the smoky and peat flavors you’d expect from Ardbeg, but in this offering it’s combined with a bit of sweetness and spice. A favorite of the Ardbeg Committee, Uigeadail owes its flavor to the vatting method, which combines smoke from American oak bourbon casks and the raisin flavor imparted by Oloroso sherry casks.

Garrison Brothers, Lady Bird

Price category: over $101

Lady Bird is a honey-infused bourbon that begins as a whiskey matured for years in American white oak barrels. These barrels are then filled with wildflower honey grown in Texas. The resulting bourbon has the right mix of sweetness and alcohol. If you prefer a more conventional bourbon, this Texas distillery has plenty of options that are no stranger to competitive success. The American Distilling Institute named it Distillery of the Year 2023, and this year its Cowboy Bourbon was awarded platinum in the TAG Global Spirits Awards. The distillery also won a platinum award in the New York International Spirits Competition for its single barrel strength bourbon.

Heaven’s Door, Revelation – Double Barrel Whiskey

Price category: $41-70

Famous alcohol brands are constantly under attack, but this brand from Bob Dylan, the unofficial patron saint of singer-songwriters, always comes through. Revelation is made from a blend of two different bourbons and one rye, which are matured independently for at least five years before blending and matured for a further 6 to 12 months in Tonnellerie Radoux barrels. This process produces a blended whiskey that is both balanced and full of character. Like the words of a good song, each sip stays with you.