Top 20 Whiskies of 2023
Our Top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your notice. This assortment features hidden gems offering exceptional value, standout examples leading their respective styles, and superbly crafted bottles worth seeking out. Above all, each whisky in this list stands out as a beacon of excitement, highlighting the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings.
Glenglassaugh Sandend
Score: 95
ABV: 50.5%
Price: $70
Origin: Scotland
Highland Park Cask Strength (Batch 4)
Score: 95
ABV: 64.3%
Price: $100
Origin: Scotland
Westland Garryana (No. 8)
Score: 94
ABV: 50%
Price: $150
Origin: Washington
Little Book Chapter 7 “In Retrospect”
Score: 95
ABV: 59.05%
Price: $150
Origin: Kentucky
Wild Turkey Master's Keep Voyage
Score: 95
ABV: 53%
Price: $275
Origin: Kentucky
Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2023
Score: 94
ABV: 57.85%
Price: $150
Origin: Kentucky
Dewar's Double Double 21 year old Mizunara Oak
Score: 95
ABV: 46%
Price: $150
Origin: Scotland
Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest
Score: 94
ABV: 46%
Price: $102
Origin: Scotland
Bardstown Bourbon Collaborative Series: Foursquare
Score: 94
ABV: 53.5%
Price: $160
Origin: Kentucky
GlenDronach Cask Strength (Batch 12)
Score: 94
ABV: 58.2%
Price: $105
Origin: Scotland
Barrell Craft Spirits 6 year old Cask Strength (Batch 035)
Score: 94
ABV: 58.75%
Price: $90
Origin: Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee
Blue Run Trifecta
Score: 94
ABV: 58.55%
Price: $180
Origin: Kentucky
Hemingway Signature Edition
Score: 94
ABV: 51%
Price: $80
Origin: Indiana and Kentucky
Glenfiddich 12 year old Amontillado Sherry Cask Finish
Score: 93
ABV: 43%
Price: $55
Origin: Scotland
Old Elk Port Finished
Score: 94
ABV: 54.05%
Price: $90
Origin: Colorado
Green Spot Quails' Gate
Score: 93
ABV: 46%
Price: $70
Origin: Ireland
Crown Royal Noble Collection Barley Edition
Score: 93
ABV: 45%
Price: $80
Origin:
Teeling Wonders of Wood Second Edition Virgin Portuguese Oak
Score: 93
ABV: 50%
Price: $100
Origin: Ireland
Fuji
Score: 92
ABV: 43%
Price: $70
Origin: Japan
Ezra Brooks 99
Score: 92
ABV: 49.5%
Price: $25
Origin: Kentucky
Each year, the Whisky Advocate Buying Guide's expert team samples an array of whiskies, encompassing rare, limited editions, and up-and-coming brands likely to hit store shelves nationwide. Our Top 20 list starts with whiskies scoring 90 or above (“outstanding”) on our 100-point scale. But, this list isn't just our highest-rated whiskies; many are too rare for general access. Hence, we also weigh in value (price) and accessibility.
A crucial step in assessing these whiskies' true worth is a blind tasting by an international panel. Reviewers taste the contenders in a series of blind flights, unaware of each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price. This panel's average ratings take precedence over the initial Buying Guide scores, although individual reviews remain recorded. The final Top 20 ranking is based on a balanced consideration of average score, price, and availability.
