For the 2nd straight year, Barleycorn faced off its Spring and Fall Competition Top Spirits to determine the Best Of 2023.
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 2023.
Large Distillery of the Year
Heaven Hill Distillery
Small Distillery of the Year
Cedar Ridge Distillery
Company to Watch
Rock Town Distillery
Rising Star
A.M. Scott Distillery
Craft Distillery Of The Year
M&O Spirits
Blender of the Year
15 STARS
Marketer of the Year
Partners + Napier
Spirit Of The Year
Ernest by Papa’s Pilar Rum
Hemingway Rum Co.
Director’s Choice Awards
The Donn - The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
Rolling Fork Spirits 9 Year Single Cask Barbados Rum
Casoni Amaro del Ciclista
Best Bourbon
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Single Barrel Bourbon/ Tennessee Whiskey
Rock Town Column Still Collection Single Barrel Straight Bourbon
Rock Town Distillery
Best Rye Whiskey
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Small Batch Rye Whiskey
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
Best Single Barrel Rye
A.M. Scott Distillery Barrel Proof Rye
A.M. Scott Distillery
Best Irish Whiskey
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Series
Redbreast
Best American Whiskey
15 STARS Sherry Cask Finish
15 STARS Bourbon
Best Rum
Ernest by Papa’s Pilar Rum
Hemingway Rum Co.
Best Luxury Whiskey
The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
Best American Single Malt
The QuintEssential First Fill Sherry Single Cask
Cedar Ridge Distillery
Best Vodka
LumiereVodka
Dutch Craft Distillery
Best Gin
Highclere Castle Gin
Highclere Castle Spirits
Best American Brandy
Starlight Distillery Bottled-In-Bond Single Barrel Estate Apple Brandy
Starlight Distillery
Best Cognac
Courvossier XO
Courvossier
Best Flavored Vodka
Distillery of Modern Art Peach Flavored Vodka
Distillery of Modern Art
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Best Wheat Whiskey
Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey Barrel Proof B923
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Corn Whiskey
Abasolo Mexican Corn Whiskey
Casa Lumbre
Best American Craft Spirit
M&O Spirits Black Bourbon Whiskey
M&O Spirits
Best Scotch Whisky
Chivas XV Scotch Whisky
Strathisla Distillery
Best World Whiskey
Rampur Indian Single Malt Asava
Radico Khaitan
Best Canadian Whisky
Black Velvet Reserve
Black Velvet
Best Flavored Whiskey
King’s Family Distillery Chocolate Whiskey
King’s Family Distillery
Best Tequila
Quintaliza Reposado Tequila
Quintaliza Tequila
Best Mezcal
Ojo de Tigre Joven Mezcal
Casa Lumbre
Best Flavored Tequila
Madam Paleta Tequila (Tamarind)
JOBU Beverages, LLC
Best Soju
Bībā Soju
Golden Beaver Distillery
Best Liqueur
Victus Amaro
Rock 12 Distillery
Best NA Spirit
MIXOLOSHE Premium Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative
MIXOLOSHE
Best Ready To Drink Cocktail
The Glenlivet Twist & Mix Old Fashioned
The Glenlivet Distillery
Best Ready To Drink Hard Seltzer
Deep Eddy Vodka + Peach Tea
Heaven Hill Brands
Best Non Alcoholic Cocktail Mixer
Jordan’s Skinny Mixes Natural Spicy Margarita
Jordan's Skinny Mixes
Best Specialty Product
Whipshots Vodka Infused Mocha Whip Cream
Starco Brands
