DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

WhistlePig 15 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
(Shoreham, VT) 92° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, treacle, nougat, honey, vanilla, sweet ripe fruit, cherry, strawberry, pineapple, apricot, lemon, mint, lavender, violet, toasted oats, sweet cereal grains, sweet nuttiness, almond, clove, oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, honey, vanilla, cherry, balanced citrus, prune, dried fruit, corn, oatmeal, toast, roasted nuts, toasty spice, spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, mint, pepper, oak, sweet oak, leather, earth, ultra-smooth spicy rum feel, rum-like sweetness, complex, very satisfying.
Finish: Fruity, cherry, bitter orange, banana peel, toast, cinnamon, mint, pepper, lingering spice, dusty, smooth, pleasant.

Double Gold Medal

Great Northern Rye Whiskey
(Plover, WI) 96° prf

Nose: Molasses, honey, marshmallow, butter, vanilla, stone fruit, citrus, banana, best banana bread aroma ever, sweet grain, toast, rye, cocoa, almond, nutty, gardenia, vegetal, sage, spearmint, new wood, oak, burnt wood, earthy, leather, mineral.
Palate: Caramel, honey, dark sugars, chocolate, butter, bananas foster, banana, banana nut bread, cherry, cherry pit, citrus, corn, squash, grassy, strong rye, toast, nutty, cinnamon, licorice, sage, bay leaf, cardamom, spicy, black pepper, sauternes, sour mash, mineral, leather, smoke, heavy wood, oak, earthy, solid.
Finish: Tart cherry, chocolate, tarragon, basil, herbal, spicy, peppery, woody, smooth, yummy, enjoyable, classic, world class.

Double Gold Medal

WhistlePig 12 Year Old World Straight Rye Whiskey
(Shoreham, VT) 86° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, buttery, sugarcane, honey, berries, cherry, orange, lemon, banana, nuttiness, mint, spice, cumin, nutmeg, leather, grain, oak, aged wood, pine, Grand Marnier.
Palate: Caramel, honey, vanilla, cherry, apricot, orange, lemon, melon, citrus, apple peel, raisins, prunes, camellia, sage, mint, spicy, cinnamon, grain, leather, earthy, oak, balanced, smooth, mild, a fine sipping whiskey.
Finish: Fruity, cocoa, rye bread, nutty, mint, oak, smoky, balanced, delicate, soft, pleasant, delicious, very elegant.

Double Gold Medal

Widow Jane Rye Whiskey
(Brooklyn, NY) 91° prf

Nose: Caramel, salted caramel, sugarcane, green apple, lemon, Meyer lemon, dried figs, cola, banana leaf, floral, jasmine, mint, nutty, pecan, spice, earthy, barrel.
Palate: Vanilla, honey, red fruits, plums, green apple, apple, ripe banana, raisins, plantain, cucumber, cracklin’ oat bran, nutty, light honeysuckle, herbal, juniper, clover, thyme, mint, sweet anise, cinnamon, sweet basil, jalapeno, pleasant spice, pepper, oak, classic, perfect.
Finish: Nougat, green apple, juniper, minty anise, pepper, grain, tobacco, oak, easy, silky, very smooth.

Double Gold Medal

HDC Dual Barrel Collection Rye Whiskey
(Gig Harbor, WA) 92° prf

Nose: Toffee, candy corn, vanilla, ripe bananas, buttery, cream, butter pecan, coffee cake, hot muffins, grains, rye, almonds, citrus, gardenia, musk, patchouli, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, menthol, wintergreen, oak, leather, talc, nice traditional rye.
Palate: Toffee, dark sugar, honey, vanilla, buttered corn, creamy, graham crackers, honey graham, chocolate, oatmeal, apricot, citrus, grape, raisins, walnut, herbs, licorice, mint, spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, coffee, faint black pepper, oak, pine, leather, approachable, delicate.
Finish: Prunes, raisins, dark berries, vanilla, creamy, cocoa, lovely grain, rye, sage, pepper, oak, well-balanced, soft, very smooth, mild, delicate, rich.

Double Gold Medal

Catskill Straight Rye Whiskey
(Bethel, NY) 85° prf

Nose: Toffee, honey, vanilla, candy cane, bananas foster, apricot, orange, cola, grain, rye, corn, panettone, Danish pastry, candied nuts, patchouli, cinnamon, cumin, caraway, white peppercorn, black tea, wormwood, earthy, mineral, oak, cherry wood.
Palate: Vanilla, sugar cane, berries, citrus, orange peel, dried fruit, grain, moss, herbaceous, mint, nutty, spice, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, white peppercorn, leather, oak, woodsy, silky, exceptionally smooth.
Finish: Walnuts, nutty, creamy, grain, rye, cinnamon, minty, peppery, oak, flavorful, briny, smoky, smooth, gentle, delicate, very fine, elegant, classic.

Double Gold Medal

RallyPoint Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
(St. Louis, MO) 90° prf

Nose: Caramel, honey, vanilla, apple, apple pie, apple peel, citrus banana, cocoa, wheat, grain, sweet grains, carnations, herbal, nutty, spice, nutmeg, smoke, subtle, seductive.
Palate: Brown sugar, deep molasses, cocoa, honey, vanilla, berries, cherry, citrus, raisins, oats, rye, nuttiness, herbal, lemongrass, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, spicy, spice, oak, loud, vibrant, very easy drinking, everyone will like it.
Finish: Butterscotch, creamy, sugarcane, lemon peel, sweet cereal, basil, mint, spice, black pepper, very soft, smooth, balanced, full-on.

Double Gold Medal

Cascadia Rye Whiskey
(Isle of Whidbey, WA) 87° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, molasses, maple syrup, vanilla, clover honey, candied fruit, berries, apricot, mild orange, carnation, honeysuckle, rhubarb, corn, sweet nuttiness, mint, spice, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, grain, oak, pine wood, rum-like.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, honey, honeycomb, vanilla, cherry, apple stem, dried banana, rhubarb, ginger, sweet nuttiness, spicy, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper, grain, toasted wheat germ, oats, graham cracker, wood, cigar box, silky, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, creamy, vanilla, honey, fruity, dried banana, nutty, spicy, clove, cinnamon, peppery, wood, oak, well-balanced, smooth, fresh, flavorful, nice, pleasant, beautiful, good cocktail rye.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye Whiskey
(Baltimore, MD) 83° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, honey, molasses, vanilla, cherry, dried fruit, chocolate, grain, pepper, lingering cinnamon, faint nutmeg, leather, oak, subtle wood barrel.
Palate: Sweet caramel, nougat, honey, vanilla, cherry, citrus, ripe banana, plums, raisins, grain, nuts, clove, mint, peppery, gentle spice, oak, apple wood, bourbon, really delicate, mild, incredibly smooth.
Finish: Citrus peel, creamy, semi-sweet corn, vegetal, light mint, mildly spicy, peppery, woody, clean, delicate, velvety, smooth, explosive, classic.

Gold Medal

James Oliver Rye Whiskey
(Portland, OR) 100° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, honey, vanilla, cherry, apple, peach, raisins, banana bread, corn, toasted almond, cocoa, toasty, oak, cedar.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, buttery, clover honey, cherry, strawberry, apricot, plumy, citrus, applesauce, sweet nuttiness, cocoa, grain, graham cracker, coffee, spice, anise, cinnamon, clove, fennel, oaky, full mouthfeel, velvety, smooth, lovely sweetness.
Finish: Dried dates, creamy, walnut, mint, fennel, bay leaf, vegetal, grassy, peppery, spicy, sweet wood, soft, smooth, silky.

Gold Medal

Turley Mill Single Barrel Straight Rye Western Whiskey
Cask Strength
(Alcalde, NM) 116° prf

Nose: Caramel, sugarcane, honey, vanilla, buttery, cocoa, corn, grain, walnut, clove, cinnamon, lavender, herbal, wintergreen, tart apple, apple, cut grass, chive, peppery, tobacco, oak.
Palate: Caramel, honey, creamy, banana, cherry, raisins, dried fruit, citrus, sweet grains, nutty, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, garam masala, spice, white pepper, pepper, Earl Grey tea, tobacco, leather, oak, smooth, one-of-a-kind.
Finish: Citrus, mint, bay leaf, nutmeg, white pepper, cumin, garam masala, light spice, creamy, buttery, woody, tannic, smooth, full-flavored, nice balance of heat and sweet, amazing.

Gold Medal

Wild Buck Rye Whiskey
(Weeki Wachee, FL) 100° prf

Nose: Toffee, nougat, caramel, dark sugar, honey, ripe tropical fruit, deep apple, green fruit, citron, figs, raisin, corn, crackling oat bran, honey bunches of oats, grain, nutty, cinnamon, nutmeg, wormwood, allspice, floral, musk, patchouli, leather, earthy, wet rock, old oak.
Palate: Toffee, vanilla, sugarcane, honey, green apple, ginger, citrus, ripe banana, figs, dried fruit, raisins, corn, honey graham, nutty, spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, woody, apple wood, cherry wood.
Finish: Honey, lemon-lime, spicy, peppery, oak, easy, soft, smooth, well-balanced, flavorful.

Gold Medal

North American Steamship Rye
(Riverside, IL) 87° prf

Nose: Bananas foster, banana, green banana, fruit salad, cherry, apple, green apple, citrus, vanilla, buttery, piecrust, rye flour, grain, almond macaroon, sweet nuttiness, faint spice, perfume, herbal, slightly musty, earthy, leather, oak.
Palate: Toffee, nougat, molasses, vanilla, honey, light fruit, banana, coconut, lemon, prunes, banana peel, dried fruit, creamy, cocoa, grain, rye flour, toasty, nutty, almond, walnut, mint, herbal, mulling spices, spicy, clove, cinnamon, white peppercorn, cherry wood, oak, cedar, clean, extremely mild.
Finish: Banana, prunes, maple, cereal, nutty, spicy, peppery, oak, zesty, semi-sweet, smooth.

Gold Medal

Elk Rider Rye Whiskey
(Gig Harbor, WA) 92° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, citrus, banana, dried fruit, chocolate, plantain, sweet corn, honey graham, fresh bread, grains, nuts, coffee, herbal, patchouli, leather, smoky, barrel char #3.
Palate: Sugarcane, honey, vanilla, cherry, citrus, lemon, cereal grains, the sweetest graham cracker, wheat germ, nutty, nutmeg, clove, frankincense, gentle spice, herbal, mint, menthol, grassy, peppery, tobacco, leather, oak, sweet wood, smooth.
Finish: Nutty, lovely grain, cinnamon, sage, spice, mild tobacco, leather, wood, oak, delicate, soft, smooth, mild.

Gold Medal

Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey
(Bardstown, KY) 110° prf

Nose: Caramel, sugarcane, molasses, honey, vanilla, cocoa, sweet cream, cotton candy, caramelized apple, green apple, banana, corn, grains, rye, herbal, mint, gentle spice, cinnamon, tobacco, leather, birch bark, sweet pine.
Palate: Nougat, green apple, citrus, dried fruit, raisins, grain, brioche, nutty, Red Hots, spice, cayenne, pepper, cinnamon, caraway, cumin, rosé wine, coffee, tobacco, leather, deep wood, forest, nice balance.
Finish: Citrus, mint, spicy, cinnamon, cocoa dust, cream, grain, oak, wood-forward, well balanced, full-flavored.

Gold Medal

Town Branch Rye Whiskey
(Lexington, KY) 100° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, cherry, apple, lime, banana, raspberry leaf, dried fruit, fruitcake, grain, toasty, toasted walnut, nutty, nutmeg, twigs, earthy, leather, oak, perfection.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, candied fruits, cherry, plum, apple, green apple, citrus, cherry pit, fruitcake, ginger, green pepper, walnut, white peppercorn, caraway, grain, mint, bay leaf, spicy, brine, leather, mineral, dusty, earthy, mud, leaves, dry wood, oaky.
Finish: Cherry, coconut, vanilla, buttery, orange peel, almond, cinnamon, clove, anise, spicy, peppery, mineral, cherry wood, smooth.

Gold Medal

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
(Frankfort, KY) 90° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, dark sugar, honey, vanilla, subtle bubblegum, tutti frutti, orange cream, tropical fruit, banana, plum, raisin, cherry cola, floral, grain, caraway, walnuts, peanut, allspice, nutmeg, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, dark sugar, honey, Creamsicle, berries, cherry, banana, red plums, apple, citrus, herbs, mint, grain, nuts, peanut, cinnamon, spice, pepper, white peppercorn, Hawaiian sea salt, lava rocks, earthy, oak, very smooth.
Finish: Vanilla, dark sugar, toasted sweetened grain, oatmeal, caraway, fenugreek, basil, mint, herbal, spicy, black pepper, leather, oak, smooth, delicious.

Gold Medal

Kooper Family 100% Rye Whiskey
(Dripping Springs, TX) 80° prf

Nose: Sugarcane, honey, vanilla, banana, orange, citrus, green banana, raspberry leaf, corn husk, graham cracker, grain, sourdough, malt, floral, herbal, vegetal, wet grass, earth, leather, wood, oak.
Palate: Vanilla, honey, creamy, brown sugar, apricot, citrus, raspberry leaf, dried fruit, chocolate, cocoa, grain, crackling oat bran, rye, nutty, walnuts, black pepper, musk, herbal, mint, ambergris, cumin, tobacco, leather, oak, soft, silky, succulent.
Finish: Toffee, vanilla, raisins, spicy, oak, smooth, soft, mellow.

Gold Medal

WhistlePig 10 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
(Shoreham, VT) 100° prf

Nose: Caramel, molasses, honey, buttery, vanilla, cherry, strawberry, apricot, peach, raspberry cobbler, lime, banana, dried fruit, floral, spicy, cinnamon, leather, grain, lightly toasted grain, earthy, clay.
Palate: Nougat, vanilla, honey, green apple, tart cherry, black currant, grape, dark raisins, almost chocolate, floral, camellia, white popcorn, walnut, maltiness, spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, white pepper, black pepper, caraway, fennel, oak, deep wood, complex.
Finish: Orange, pineapple, citrus, cherry, dried fruit, creamy, spicy, peppery, caraway, bay leaf, tannic, dusty, woody, rum-like.

Gold Medal

Bluebird Distilling Rye Whiskey
(Phoenixville, PA) 92° prf

Nose: Honey, ripe banana, plantain, vegetal, mint, grain, rye, malt, nutty, spice, musk, peat, aged barrel, wood, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, apricot, figs, dates, raisins, dried fruit, grain, rye, nutty, spicy, citrus, clove, patchouli, grass, leather, earthy, wood, oak, smooth, perfect grain to sweet.
Finish: Berries, figs, honey, vanilla, grain, nutty, tobacco, leather, woodsy, smooth, very fine.

Gold Medal

High West Double Rye!
(Park City, UT) 92° prf

Nose: Nougat, caramel, light honey, blueberry, berries, apricot, apple, banana, walnuts, dried hay, pepper, very subtle grain, white wine, woody, oak.
Palate: Honey, sugarcane, light candy, plum, grape, currant, raisin, citrus peel, sweet pepper, rye, walnut, anise, licorice, fennel, caraway, basil, herbal, botanicals, mint, spice, white pepper, fresh-cut grass oak, reminiscent of cognac.
Finish: Orange peel, smoky sweet corn, nutty, mint, bitter fennel, spicy, peppery, cherry wood, soft, elegant, wonderful.

Gold Medal

Copper Fox Rye Whiskey
(Sperryville, VA) 90° prf

Nose: Caramel, banana leaf, dried fruit, dried flowers, birch bark, rye flour, wheat, burnt grain, herbs, nutty, some spice, clove, cut grass, musk, patchouli, beer batter, tobacco, leather, briny, salty, smoky, musty, dusty, earthy, new wood, pine, oak.
Palate: Clover honey, maple, vanilla, citrus, dried fruit, chocolate, banana bread, wheat, rye, grains, cinnamon, cloves, patchouli, ginger, grass, brandy, tobacco, leather, cigar box, ash, charcoal, charred wood, burning leaves, smoke, earthy.
Finish: Raisins, banana peel, sweet basil, mint, leather, cigar box, woody, oak, ashy, soft, smooth, delicate.

Gold Medal