For the first time, Barleycorn faced off its Spring and Fall Competition Top Spirits to determine the Best Of 2022.
This blind-tasting combat was judged by Barleycorn Society members, including Clay Risen, Wayne Curtis, Zach Johnston, Susan Reigler, and John McCarthy. It proved to be a raucous smackdown.
Broken ties, runaway winners, and surprising new up-and-comers emerged to take top honors, and it was such a pleasure discovering so many amazing spirits from producers from around the world this year along the way.
But the votes are tallied and it’s a pleasure to present our JOHN BARLEYCORN BEST SPIRITS OF 2022.
Large Distillery of the Year
Jack Daniel Distillery
Small Distillery of the Year
New Riff Distilling
Company of the Year
St. Augustine Distillery Co.
Rising Star
Luca Mariano Distillery
Company To Watch
High Bank Distillery Co.
Blender of the Year
Nearest Green Distillery
Marketer of the Year
Slow Clap
Flavored Spirit Producer Of The Year
Old Nick Williams Co.
Spirit Of The Year
Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky
Director’s Choice Awards
WhistlePig Double Malt Rye 18 Year-Old
Amrut Neidhal Indian Single Malt Whisky
Masako Honkaku Shochu
Best Craft Spirit
Five Stories Barrel Aged Rum
Northern Row Brewery & Distillery
Best Bourbon
Pursuit United Batch 002
Pursuit Spirits, LLC
Best Single Barrel Bourbon/ Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Jack Daniel Distillery
Best Luxury Whiskey
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2022
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best American Single Malt
Cedar Ridge The Quintessential
Cedar Ridge Winery And Distillery
Best Rye Whiskey
New Riff Balboa Rye
New Riff Distilling
Best Single Barrel Rye
291 Colorado Whiskey Finished with Aspen Staves, Barrel Proof Single Barrel
Distillery 291
Best American Whiskey
Copper Sky Cigar Blend Whiskey Finished in Amburana Barrels
Copper Sky Distillery
Best World Whiskey
Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky
Cotswolds Distillery
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Batch 009
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Best Canadian Whisky
Found North Batch 004
Found North Whisky
Best Flavored Whiskey
Coattail Cinnamon Whiskey
Old Nick Williams Co. Farm & Distillery
Best Scotch Whisky
Aberlour 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Pernod Ricard
Best Irish Whiskey
Waterford The Cuvée
Glass Revolution Imports USA LLC
Best Tequila
El Tesoro Extra Añejo
Beam Suntory
Best Mezcal
Cutwater Mezcal Reposado
Cutwater Spirits
Best Sotol
Watercross Golden Sotol
Dime Box Distillery LLC
Best Vodka
Haku Vodka
Beam Suntory
Best Gin
Philosopher Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin
Aristotle Spirits
Best Rum
Five Stories Barrel Aged Rum
Northern Row Brewery & Distillery
Best Shochu
Masako Honkaku Shochu
Furusawa Distillery
Best Awamari
Yokka Koji Ryukyu Awamori
Chuko Distillery
Best Brandy
Starlight 10-Year Estate Grown Bottled-In-Bond Apple Brandy
Starlight Distillery
Best Cognac
Branson Cognac XO
Sire Spirits
Best Flavored Vodka
Hempahol Vodka Infused with Hemp Seed
The Old Nick Williams Co
Best Ready To Drink
High Peaks Barrel Aged Manhattan
High Peaks Distilling
Best Liqueur
Last Shot Chocolate Creme Brûlée Liquer
Last Shot Distillery
