Olivia Taylor
The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: A Showcase of Best Bourbons
Are you a bourbon enthusiast keen to get the skinny on the world’s best bourbons this year? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We took a deep dive into the results of the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This annual event, widely recognized as one of the most influential spirits competitions globally, featured a plethora of bourbons from small and large scale distilleries, each vying for recognition in the bourbon-loving world.
Spirited Competition and Expert Judgement
The bourbons were meticulously evaluated by a panel of highly esteemed judges in the industry, including master distillers, cocktail experts, and lovers of fine spirits. They rated the bourbons based on various factors, including aroma, taste, and finish, relying on their wealth of experience and fine-tuned palates to separate the exceptional from the remarkable.
When American Legacy Meets Global Appreciation
Bourbon, America’s native spirit, with its rich legacy and heritage dating back to the 18th century, menaced the global spirits stage once again. Geared up with flavorful profiles from vanilla to caramel, oak to grain, and sweet to spicy, these bourbons had one thing in common: a generous appeal for bourbons lovers around the globe.
The Top Specifications
Before we delve into the names that made heads turn this year, it’s essential to grasp some specifics. To qualify as bourbon, the spirit must be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn, aged in new charred-oak containers, distilled to no more than 160 proof, and entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof.
And the Bourbon Champions Are…
The entrants for this year’s competition were nothing short of outstanding, making it that much more of a feat for those who walked away with gold. After intensely comprehensive evaluative sessions, the results were finally out, and here are the distilleries that stole the show.
Bourbon Champion No. 1 – Rhetoric 25 Year Old
A standout in the Ultra-Aged category, Rhetoric 25-year-old bourbon blew away the competition. With a remarkable aroma of cherry, toasted oak, and caramel, it offers an impressive tasteful play of cocoa, vanilla, and subtle citrus. The balance and smooth finish were simply too good for the judges to resist, making it a winner in its category.
Bourbon Champion No. 2 – Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
This fantastic bourbon was the star in the up to 12-year-category. The Old Forester Birthday Bourbon expressed a unique richness, featuring an equally unique aroma of butterscotch and spice. The palate is a symphony of apple, almond, and allspice, with a slightly piquant finish. The judges praised the depth of its character and its well-rounded nature.
Bourbon Champion No.3 – Mikkers 10 Year Single Barrel
The Mikkers 10-year Single Barrel claimed the throne in the Single Barrel up to 10-year-category. It presented a delightfully complex taste profile, with notes of toasted nuts, cinnamon, and dark chocolate, balanced with a sweet and spicy finish.
In Conclusion
These top performers at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition signal that bourbon’s competition is more fierce and excitingly awaited than ever. They showcased not only mastery in tradition but a touch of modern flair, emerging as the ambassadors of fine bourbon across the globe. We raise a glass to these winners and look forward to the 2024 competition!
