EH TAYLOR FOUR GRAIN BOURBON, Jim Murray, Redbreast 21, Whisky Bible, Whisky of The Year

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2018 – The Winners

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2018 – The Winners - De Wine Spot | DWS - Drams/Whiskey, Wines, Sake

Ilya Dorfman |

It’s that time again: the day when Jim Murray reveals his favorite whiskeys in the world. The results of his Whisky Bible 2018 have just been announced last week, and the winner of the top prize hails from the USA (again):

JIM MURRAY’S 2018 WORLD WHISKY OF THE YEAR – COLONEL EH TAYLOR FOUR GRAIN BOURBON

Jim’s not a man to mince words, with his press release hailing the whiskey’s ‘sheer undiluted beauty’:

"Nothing could match the astonishing beauty of its surprisingly delicate weight and complexity combined. It was though time stood still in the tasting room; I just knew…"

The Colonel EH Taylor Four Grain is the latest in the Buffalo-Trace-made line of small-batch releases, drawing inspiration from Colonel Taylor’s time as a grain trader during the American Civil war. It’s made using a mash bill of corn, rye, wheat and malted barley – the four grains of the name – and has been picking up great reviews since it launched in April 2017.

Producer’s Tasting Notes:
"Opens with an inviting aroma, with the first sip bringing a lot of character. Caramel notes are touched by sweet vanilla and caramel corn, then underwritten by slightly smoky flavors and oak tannins. It maintains a smooth evenness between the four grains interacting with the charred oak barrel. Overall, nice balance, and unique."

Jim’s second and third favorite whiskeys are better known to followers of The Whisky Bible: Redbreast 21 and Glen Grant 18 (we are working on getting it). The Redbreast has been at the top of Jim’s Irish Whiskey awards since it arrived on the scene a few years back, and Glen Grant 18 was Jim’s second place whiskey last year.

Second Finest Whisky In The World – Redbreast 21 Year Old

REDBREAST 21 YEARS SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY | De Wine Spot

Tasting notes:

With a minimum of 21-year-old spirit, the real range is up to 27-year-old whiskey, and the effect is staggering. Classic upfront sweetness, typical of an Irish dram, leads into loads of tropical fruits (dried mango), and dusty wood. Very deep, very elegant, and very drinkable, this beauty keeps you hanging on for more.

Third Finest Whisky In The World – Glen Grant 18-Year-Old

Producer’s Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: Rich and floral with oaky overtones and hints of baking spices
  • Palate: Malty caramel, delicate, dried raisins and vanilla
  • Finish: Long, sweet with hints of nuts and spice

THE FULL WINNERS LIST

SCOTCH WHISKY

  • Scotch Whisky of the Year - Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition
  • Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks) - Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition
  • Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask) - Cadenhead’s Glendullan 20 Year Old
  • Scotch Blend of the Year - Compass Box The Double Single
  • Scotch Grain of the Year - Cambus Aged 40 Years
  • Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year - Compass Box 3-Year-Old Deluxe

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

  • No Age Statement (Multiple Casks) - Ardbeg Corryvreckan
  • 10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks) - Glen Grant Aged 10 Years
  • 10 Years & Under (Single Cask) - Scotch Malt Whisky Society Tomatin Cask 11.32 8-Year-Old
  • 11-15 Years (Multiple Casks) - Gordon & MacPhail Ardmore 2002
  • 11-15 Years (Single Cask) - That Boutique-y Co. Clynelish 15-Year-Old
  • 16-21 Years (Multiple Casks) - Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition
  • 16-21 Years (Single Cask) - The First Editions Ardmore Aged 20 Years
  • 22-27 Years (Multiple Casks) - Sansibar Whisky Glen Moray 25 Years Old
  • 22-27 Years (Single Cask) - Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare Auchentoshan 24 Year Old
  • 28-34 Years (Multiple Casks) - Glen Castle Aged 28 Years
  • 28-34 Years (Single Cask) - Old Particular Glenturret 28 Year Old
  • 35-40 Years (Multiple Casks) - Brora Aged 38 Years
  • 35-40 Years (Single Cask) - Xtra Old Particular Caol Ila 36 Year Old
  • 41 Years & Over (Multiple Casks) - Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1957

BLENDED SCOTCH

  • No Age Statement (Standard) - Ballantine’s Finest
  • No Age Statement (Premium) - Compass Box The Double Single
  • 5-12 Years - Grant’s Aged 12 Years
  • 13-18 Years - Ballantine’s Aged 17 Years
  • 19 – 25 Years - Royal Salute 21-Year-Old
  • 26 – 50 Years - The Antiquary Aged 35 Years

IRISH WHISKEY

  • Irish Whiskey of the Year - Redbreast Aged 21 Years
  • Irish Pot Still Whiskey of the Year - Redbreast Aged 21 Years
  • Irish Single Malt of the Year - Bushmills 16-Year-Old
  • Irish Blend of the Year - Bushmills Black Bush
  • Irish Single Cask of the Year - Dunville’s VR First Edition Aged 15 Years

AMERICAN WHISKEY

RYE

WHEAT

CANADIAN WHISKY

JAPANESE WHISKY

EUROPEAN WHISKY

  • European Whisky of the Year (Multiple) - Penderyn Bryn Terfel (Wales)
  • European Whisky of the Year (Single) - The Norfolk Parched (England)

WORLD WHISKY

  • Asian Whisky of the Year - Paul John Kanya (India)
  • Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year - Limeburner’s Dark Winter (Australia)
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