Dewar's Double Double 21-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky has been named as the best scotch whisky in the Whiskey Advocate's annual top 20 whiskey list.
The new blend takes second place in the overall awards and stands as the highest scoring scotch following a blind tasting review of hundreds of submissions.
Whisky Advocate raved: "A tantalising nose of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, crystalised orange slice, fresh plum, black cherry, and moist coffee grounds. Smooth flavors of chocolate-dipped raspberries, gingersnaps, and bold sherry fruit yield to a finish of smoke and spice."
The recently launched Dewar's Double Double series is a brand innovation led by Master Blender Stephanie Macleod, who was recently named "Master Blender of the Year" by the 2019 International Whisky Competition (IWC).
It is currently only available in Australia at Heinemann duty-free.
Inspired by Dewar's famed and signature double-ageing process utilised across the portfolio, Macleod tapped the brand's heritage to create an all new, four-stage ageing method or 'double-double-ageing.'
"We could not be happier with the traction our Double Double Series has received this past year, and the Whisky Advocate ranking is a true testament to the hard work of a team dedicated to creating extraordinary quality," said Brian Cox, Vice President Dewar's Scotch Whisky North America.
"It's an honour to be included among the Whisky Advocate Top 20 and to be recognised as best scotch whisky among our peers – it certainly fuels our efforts looking forward."
The Whisky Advocate Top 20 is comprised of the outlet's Buying Guide review panel and an international review panel who collectively sample hundreds of whiskies each year – which are blind tasted with each expression's producer, country of origin, age, and price unknown.
The list is determined based on the international review panel's blind tasted whiskies rated "outstanding" (90 points or higher on Whisky Advocate's 100-point scale) while the Buying Guide panel prioritises value of each submission based on price point. The final decision for placement considers average score, price, and availability.
George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond took out the No.1 spot on the list, with Whisky Advocate noting: "At the start of 2019, a Tennessee whiskey would have been considered a long shot to be named Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, but this Dickel came barreling from behind with the poise and power to impress our blind tasting panel. Its value is unmatched—serving up a full 13 years of barrel age at 50% ABV for just $US36. Such bargains result because Tennessee whiskey lives in the shadow of bourbon, which can easily command three or four times the price at this age."
The top 10
- George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond whiskey
- Dewar’s 21 year old Double Double blended whisky
- Four Roses Small Batch Select whiskey
- Heaven Hill 7 year old Bottled in Bond whiskey
- Aberlour A’bunadh Alba Cask Strength (Batch 001) single malt whisky
- Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof (2019 Release) whiskey
- Old Ezra 7 year old Barrel Strength whiskey
- Glenlivet Enigma single malt whisky
- Glenmorangie 14 year old Quinta Ruban single malt whisky
- Writers’ Tears Double Oak whiskey
Click here to see the full top 20 whiskies.
While no Irish whiskies made the list, earlier this year Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey won the World Whisky Trophy at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
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