Posted March 30, 2015
Ultimate Spirits Challenge®, the world’s platinum standard for spirits competitions, announced the winners and full results for the 2015 Challenge.
What booze should you pair with your book-reading you ask? Well, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) is providing you with the list of liquor you should have on your bar, STAT.
Photo: Emerson Utracik (EP)
Here’s the run-down. Spirit brands are eligible for the Tried & True Award (T&TA) if they score 85 points or above in at least two Ultimate Spirits Challenges since 2010. Great Values (GV) is awarded to products with a favorable relationship between their price and final USC score. According to the USC, they are the finest spirits within their respective price points.
Behold…the 2015 winners to make your bar that much more snooty.
VODKA
Unflavored: Russian Standard Original (GV)
Flavored: Van Gogh Dutch Caramel (GV)
GIN
Cold River (GV, T&TA)
RUM
Opthimus Finished in Port Casks 25 Years Old
TEQUILA 100% AGAVE
Blanco: El Tesoro Platinum (T&TA)
Reposado: Blue Nectar (GV)
Añejo: Siete Leguas (GV, T&TA)
Extra Añejo: Malinalli (T&TA)
MEZCAL
Amaras (GV)
WHISKEY – USA
American: Lone Elm Texas Wheat
Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Years Old (T&TA)
Rye: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight 6 Years Old (T&TA)
Tennessee: George Dickel No. 12 (GV, T&TA)
WHISKEY – IRELAND
Blended: Jameson 18 Years Old (T&TA)
Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 15 Years Old (T&TA)
Single Malt: Bushmills 16 Years Old (T&TA)
WHISKY – SCOTLAND
Blended Malt: Sheep Dip (T&TA) – this is one of my personal favorites, so YAY!
Blended: Dewar’s 18 Years Old (T&TA)
Single Malt: Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt (GV, T&TA)
WHISKY – CANADA
Tap Rye Sherry Finished 8 Years Old (GV)
WHISKY – FRANCE
Armorik Single Malt Sherry Finish (T&TA)
WHISKY – WALES
Penderyn Single Malt (T&TA)
BRANDY
Armagnac: Chateau de Laubade Cask Strength 1989 25 Years Old Bas-Armagnac
Calvados: Boulard XO Auguste
Cognac: ABK6 XO Family Reserve (GV)
Grappa: Candolini Bianca (GV)
Pisco: Pisco Porton Mosto Verde Italia
Spanish Brandy: Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva (T&TA)
Grape Brandy: Asbach Gothe Vintage Reserve 1952 Cask No. 1777
LIQUEUR
Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire
VERMOUTH
Noilly Prat Rouge (GV)
SHOCHU
iichiko BLŪ – Shochu is a Japanese distilled beverage typically distilled from barley (mugi), sweet potatoes (imo), buckwheat (soba), or rice (kome). I had to Google it too, don’t worry.
BITTERS/AMARO
Foro Amaro (GV)
Check out the full list of results here. See you at the liquor store!
