Making History: San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 Results

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, established in 2000, has long been a beacon of excellence in the spirits industry. Celebrating its 24th year in 2024, this prestigious event brings together an elite panel of judges who rigorously evaluate entries through blind tasting, ensuring impartiality and authenticity. With awards determined by unanimous or majority consensus, the competition's gold, double gold, and platinum medals are highly coveted, symbolizing the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship. Recognized globally, the competition serves as a definitive guide for both connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts seeking the finest spirits the world has to offer.

In this article, we will delve into the results of the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including the winners, the losers and what we learned from the latest edition of the prestigious competition. 

Sometimes You Can’t Beat The Classics

At the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, several beloved whiskies reaffirmed their esteemed reputations, earning double gold medals and demonstrating once again why they are revered for their taste and consistency. Among these, Blanton's, Weller, and E.H. Taylor shone particularly brightly.

Blanton's continued its legacy of excellence with three expressions receiving double gold medals: Blanton's Gold, Blanton's Original, and Blanton's Straight from the Barrel (SFTB). Each of these whiskies showcases the brand's commitment to quality, with Blanton's Original offering a rich, full-bodied profile, Blanton's Gold delivering enhanced complexity and depth, and Blanton's SFTB impressing with its powerful, uncut intensity.

Weller also stood out, with Weller 12 and Weller Full Proof both capturing double gold medals. Weller 12, known for its smooth, rich flavor and balanced sweetness, remains a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Weller Full Proof offers a bolder, more robust experience, highlighting the brand's expertise in crafting high-proof whiskies that maintain exceptional smoothness and complexity.

E.H. Taylor continued its tradition of excellence with its Single Barrel and Small Batch expressions both receiving double gold medals. The Single Barrel Bourbon is celebrated for its distinct character and depth, offering a unique taste profile with each barrel. The Small Batch Bourbon, on the other hand, provides a consistent, finely crafted bourbon experience, balancing rich caramel and vanilla notes with a hint of spice.

These old faithfuls exemplify why they remain beloved by whisky aficionados: their unwavering quality and exquisite flavors make them standouts year after year.

Higher Age Doesn’t Always Equal Higher Quality

The notion that older bourbon always equates to superior quality was recently challenged at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In a surprising turn of events, Eagle Rare 10-year-old bourbon received a prestigious double gold medal, outshining its 17-year-old counterpart, which earned a gold medal. This result has stunned bourbon enthusiasts, as the general consensus often holds that higher-aged bourbons boast better quality due to their prolonged maturation process and the complex flavors it can develop.

Eagle Rare 10's triumph over its elder sibling highlights an important aspect of bourbon appreciation: age is not the sole determinant of quality. While older bourbons can develop rich, nuanced profiles, they can also become overly oaky or lose some of the balance and vibrancy found in younger expressions. The 10-year-old's victory suggests that it struck a perfect balance, offering a harmonious blend of flavors that resonated more profoundly with the judges.

This outcome serves as a reminder to bourbon lovers that while age statements can provide an indication of a bourbon’s potential characteristics, they should not be the only factor considered when judging quality. Flavor complexity, balance, and personal preference play crucial roles in determining a bourbon's excellence, regardless of its age.

The First Year of Single Barrel Pick

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition introduced a new category this year, spotlighting Single Barrel expressions and celebrating their unique character and craftsmanship. This inaugural category brought forth a wealth of remarkable whiskies, with several standout performers making waves.

Among the impressive lineup of expressions that competed in the Single Barrel category was our first ever single barrel bourbon, the Elijah Craig x Frootbat ‘Raiders of the Lost Oak’. Crafted in collaboration with Elijah Craig, ‘Raiders of the Lost Oak’ was awarded a Gold medal at the competition, marking a significant milestone for our brand. A playful nod to Indiana Jones, drawing inspiration from our first-ever advertisement, this barrel proof single barrel bourbon is a testament to our commitment to making hard-to-find whiskies easy to get. 

Other impressive entries in the single barrel category include 1792 Single Barrel, Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Single Barrel, and Four Roses Single Barrel, all of which earned Double Gold Medals. 1792 Single Barrel impressed judges with its robust and complex flavor profile, while Henry McKenna's 10 Year Old Single Barrel captivated with its rich, full-bodied character and depth. Four Roses Single Barrel stood out with its balance and nuanced flavors, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each bottle.

The success of these single barrel whiskies at the competition underscores the growing appreciation for the distinct qualities that single barrel expressions bring to the table, each bottle offering a unique, unrepeatable experience for whiskey lovers.

Emerging Distillers From Around The World

This year several emerging distillers from around the globe showcased their prowess, challenging the traditional strongholds of whisky excellence—Scotland, the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, and Japan. Numerous whiskies from non-traditional whisky-producing countries received double gold medals, proving that exceptional whiskies are crafted far beyond the usual suspects.

Among the standout performers was Starward from Australia. Demonstrating their expertise, Starward had an impressive 13 products awarded double gold. Noteworthy among these were the Octave Barrels Australian Whisky and Nova Australian Whisky, which captivated the judges with their innovative use of Australian wine barrels, resulting in rich, fruity profiles that offer a unique twist on classic whisky flavors.

Another emerging star is Kavalan from Taiwan, which received double gold for seven of its whiskies. Kavalan’s Solist series, including the Solist ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength, Solist Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength, Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength, Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength, Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength, as well as the Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt, exemplifies their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Each expression showcases intricate layers of flavor, from the creamy vanilla notes of the ex-Bourbon cask to the rich, nutty tones of the Sherry casks.

These accolades underscore a global shift in the whisky landscape, highlighting that remarkable craftsmanship and innovation in whisky-making are not confined to traditional regions. Emerging distillers like Starward and Kavalan are setting new benchmarks, offering whisky enthusiasts exciting new flavors and perspectives from around the world.