Here we are again, the end of a year, and with that has come an avalanche of “top” and “best” lists – which I always find to be silly from a terminology perspective. Top, best, etc. are all subjective to the taste of the author… or the brand sponsoring the post/list.
This subjectivity of taste and personal preference is why each year, that I have the time to put my list together, I just release it as a list of my favorite whiskies that year. They never have to be released that year, just reviewed that year.
They also don’t have to be the best rated of the year, look at the “winner” from 2020. Instead, these posts are just a list of whiskies that stood out to me over the course of 2021. Though this year I’m going to try something a bit different and pick out a few for some made-up “Awards”. Which is another topic I have problems with (shocker).
But before we get to the “awards”, let’s take a look at some of the most notable whiskeys reviewed this year.
TWJ’s Favorite American Whiskeys Of 2020
Frey Ranch Bourbon: This one seriously blew me away. I was expecting a woody crafty crappy whiskey and instead got a rich, warm and mature bourbon. Well done Freys!
A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength 10 Years: I’ve enjoyed Bowman, but never have I been rendered speechless by one before. This was a killer.
Cascade Moon Edition 2: I’m as surprised as you are that I loved a long-aged Dickel. I mean, who could have ever imagined that? ;)
Redemption 10 Year Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon: The 10 yo Redemption High Rye is just consistently a great whiskey and, compared to the rest of the market, really well priced.
Sagamore Spirit Double Oak: Don’t just take my word for it, the SCWC enjoyed it too in our blind whiskey tasting.
TWJ’s Favorite Scotches Of 2020
Compass Box Peat Monster Arcana: I love the original Peat Monster, but there is something about the Arcana that kept me coming back long after the review.
Laphroaig 16: First taste I thought “huh, that’s interesting”, but by the third tasting every sip became an exclamation of joy.
GlenDronach Port Wood: Working with port is difficult, the field is littered with examples of port done poorly and few done well. This is done fairly well.
Benromach 10 Years: I was instantly a re-fan of its easy, laid-back, profile. This is an easy sippin’ scotch.
Old Pulteney 15 Years: Having long been an Old Pulteney fan I was unsure of this replacement for the 17, but to my surprise, it ended up being awesome.
TWJ’s Favorite World Whiskies Of 2020
Bushmills 23 Years Crystal Malt Whiskey: It’s such a shame this isn’t available to buy because, damn, it was incredible.
Paul John Christmas Edition 2021: Every year this whisky is good, it’s almost guaranteed to make my list.
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye: I’m as surprised as you to see a Canadian on this list, but here we are and I can’t recommend it enough!
Amrut Cask Strength Indian Single Malt: This is delicious malty goodness. If you’ve been curious about Amrut, start here!
Penderyn Rich Oak Single Malt: There is nothing Penderyn has put out that I’ve hated, but this one definitely rises to the top of their releases and the category for overall flavor delivery.
Teeling Revival Volume IV Muscat Cask 15 Years: I felt bad for including the Bushmills because you literally can’t get it, so I’m adding this Teeling. It ain’t cheap, but it’s stellar and can at least be found.
And now for The Whiskey Jug’s 2020 Whiskey “Awards”
What is an award anyway? It’s just someone saying something is good or worthy of praise and then giving the maker/owner/creator/doer something that signifies that it’s good. Awards can also be bought.
They can be categorized into gold, double gold, platinum and so on with the categories so microscopically categorized that everyone who pays-to-play wins. In this way, awards can also be incredibly deceptive.
To avoid any of that, I’m looking at my made-up categories as a whole and no one has paid anything to be entered. You can also see all of the competitors by simply scrolling through this year’s reviews.
Fully transparent and set, here we go with the awards for my favorite of the favorites of 2021. The whiskeys that specifically stood out to me for one reason or another and have become whiskies I highly recommend getting at least a taste of.
Bangin’ Bourbon of 2021
Jim Beam Lineage Bourbon: This is hands down one of the best bourbons Jim Beam has ever released and it cause quite a stir at the tasting I put it in. It was almost killed in one night!
Ridiculous Rye of 2021
George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend Rye: I was more than prepared for this to suck, but it’s the exact opposite of a sucky whiskey. No, not kcus, though it did make me say goddamn, it’s good. Ridiculously good.
Americana The Beautiful
Westland Garryana Edition 6: This solid, insanely tasty, single malt blew me away and sent me scouring whiskey stores to find a bottle. One of the best versions of this I’ve had to date.
The Peat Beast
Compass Box No Name 2: There were a lot of great entries into the peated category this year, including two in the last days of the year, but this CBNN2 was a true work of art.
The Un-Beast
Tomatin 14 Years Port Casks: Proof that peer-pressure works. I’ve low-key dismissed Tomatin for years, but after several friendly suggestions I picked this up. The fact that the bottle was empty 3 months after being bought should be proof enough that I enjoyed this whisky.
International Flavor
The Busker Pot Still: I’ve begun recommending this whiskey to everyone looking for a cheap alternative to Redbreast 12 that still tastes great and it delivers on all fronts.
Cocktail Secret Weapon
Barrell Seagrass: You want to make your whiskey cocktails more flavorful, more complex and pack more of a punch? Use this and watch your guest’s expressions.
Top Value Whisk(e)y
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style: Value is subjective, but this whiskey packs a ton of complex flavor into a sub $60 bottle.
Timecapsule Tipple Of 2021
Four Roses Rye Whiskey: Since I cover vintage spirits here, I thought it would be fun to highlight a standout. Think of this as the post-humous/lifetime achievement award.
THE whisk(e)y of 2021
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep One: This award was a tie between the No Name 2 and the Lineage, but this late entry settled the matter easily. Though it did knock the Bowman out of the Banging Bourbon spot and the Laphroaig 16 out of the Peat Beast spot. Who in turn knocked the Evan Williams 1783 and the wine-cask Caol Ila out of their respective categories. This whiskey caused quite the commotion here at TWJ HQ, but it was worth it.
And that’s a wrap on 2021. I kinda like this favorite and “awards” format, but what are your thoughts? Did you like this format and the “awards”? Do you have ideas for other “awards” to add? Was it informative, interesting, or at least amusing?
Let me know in the comments below and I’ll start thinking about what to do next year. I also promise at least 25% less salt in the copy since my thoughts and feelings on the matter of “best” and “award” have now been dutifully covered.
Thank you for reading, I’m grateful for you all and I hope you have a Happy New Year. Cheers!
