The world's best whiskies of 2019, as rated by whisky experts
By David Flynn, March 29 2019
Australia has picked up another crown at the international awards for the world's best whiskys, with local hero Sullivans Cove Distillery taking to the stage alongside the best drams from Japan, North America and Europe.
A global panel of journalists, spirit experts, distillers and bartenders blind-tasted over a thousand whisky brands as part of the World’s Best Whiskies 2019 awards, conducted by Whisky Magazine.
Sullivans Cove retained its title as producer of the World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky. The Tasmanian distillery was singled out for Cask TD0217 of its French Oak Whisky, which is aged in 300L French Oak ex-tawny barrels.
Sullivans Cove French Oak took the gong for Worlds Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky
Other notable winners at the World Whiskies Awards included Japan’s Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21YO, recognised as the World’s Best Blended Whisky, and Teeling Whiskey 24YO Vintage Reserve, judged as the World’s Best Single Malt.
Several other Australian distilleries were runners-up in various categories, including Hellyers Road Distillery's Slightly Peated 10YO (Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky; Starward Two-Fold Double Grain (World’s Best Blended Whisky); Drumsara Spiced (World’s Best Flavoured Whisky); and the Adelaide Hills Distillery Native Grain Project (World’s Best Grain Whisky).
If you want to boast of having one of the world's best whiskeys in your drinks cabinet, here's your shopping list.
World's Best Bourbon: Four Roses - 130th Anniversary 2018 Limited Edition Small Batch
World's Best Tennessee Whiskey: Uncle Nearest 1856 - Premium Aged Whiskey
World's Best Blended Limited Release: Ichiro's Malt & Grain - Japanese Blended Whisky Limited Edition 2019
World's Best Blended Malt: Nikka - Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 Years Old
World's Best Blended Whisky: Suntory Whisky Hibiki - 21 Years Old
World's Best Canadian Blended: J.P. Wiser's - 35 Years Old
World's Best Corn Whisky: Ironroot Republic
World's Best Flavoured Whisky: Heritage Distilling Co. - Brown Sugar Bourbon
World's Best Grain Whisky: The Fuji-Gotemba Distillery - Single Grain 25 Years Old Small Batch
World's Best New Make: Stauning Whisky - Curious - Peat Smoked Malted Rye New Make
World's Best Rye Whisky: Stork Club Whisky - Straight Rye Whisky
World's Best Single Cask Single Malt: Sullivans Cove - French Oak
World's Best Single Malt: Teeling Whiskey - 24 Years Old Vintage Reserve
World's Best Wheat Whisky: Bainbridge - Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Mizunara Cask
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 319
A bit of reality about "Sullivan's Cove - French Oak". It's $550 for a 700ml bottle if you can find one. Even the cellar door is out of stock, and it's little wonder. But I'd love to try it.
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 5
I had this whisky before it was famous in about 2013, it cost $130 per bottle back then. Make no mistake, it was good.
09 Dec 2018
Total posts 2
Could we get a BEST Single Malt thats available and afforable? Say $100 bottle?
19 May 2015
Total posts 22
Talisker 10 and Laguvulin 16 are two very solid options under $100.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 39
I would also add Oban (one of my personal favs) to the list of "best around the $100 pricepoint" list..that being said it fluctuates wildely in price from place to place..
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 269
Find it hard to believe none of the winners are Scottish!
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