Tasmania's Adams Distillery has taken out Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year and Australian Whisky of the Year in the Jim Murray 2021 Whisky Bible.
Adams Distillery Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength was described by Murray as "simply brilliant".
Murray's review raved: "A near perfect mouthfeel on delivery, then pow! First the smoke, then the fruit and finally the oak take turns to dominate."
Adam's Distillery began as the passion project of friends Adam Pinkard and Adam Saunders (pictured above with business partner Berni Einoder). Pinkard said the pair had sacrificed a lot to follow their dreams, but this accolade put the icing on the cake.
"There's only one word for it - validation," he said. "It shows us that all we've done for the past five years has been worth it."
Since winning the award, interest in the product has grown exponentially, with international inquiries coming from the United States, Canada and Japan. Pinkard said the distiller had only supplied the domestic market previously.
The whisky sold out soon after the announcement was made.
Jim Murray favourite whiskies around the world
The 2021 edition of the Jim Murray Whisky Bible contains notes on approximately 4500 whiskies, including 1250 new tasting notes.
Overall Whisky of the Year went to Alberta Distillers, Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye.
It's the first time a Canadian whisky has won the top award. Murray (pictured main) describes the whisky as: "Sweet, woody and oaky (notes) with a hint of vanilla. The taste is exceptionally smooth with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of chocolate balanced with the spiciness of rye and blackcurrants."
“Truly world-class whisky from possibly the world’s most underrated distillery. How can something be so immense yet equally delicate? For any whisky lover on the planet looking for huge but nearly perfectly balanced experience, then here you go. And with rye at its most rampantly beautiful, this is something to truly worship.”
Scotch Whisky of the Year: Glen Grant, 15 YO Batch Strength 1st Edition
Irish Whiskey of the Year: Middleton, Barry Crockett Legacy
Bourbon of the Year: Buffalo Trace, Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof, 64.2% ABV
Canadian Whisky of the Year: Alberta Distillers, Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
Japanese Whisky of the Year: Nikka Whisky, Single Malt Yoichi Apple Brandy Wood Finish
Overall winners
Whisky of the Year Runner Up: Buffalo Trace, Stagg Jr. Straight Bourbon 13th Edition, 8 YO
Whisky of the Year 2nd Runner Up: Paul John Distillers, Mithuna
Single Cask of the Year: Gordon & MacPhail, Glen Grant 1956 Mr. George Centenary Edition, 62 YO
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