BARLEYCORN SPEAKS! Our Top Whiskeys Of Spring 2024

To create this “deep and layered” The Glenlivet 21, Master Blender Colin Scott finished classic Speyside single malt in a trio of finishing casks: Oloroso Sherry, Tronçais Oak Cognac, and Colheita Port. The result is a 96 Point showing in Barleycorn thanks to the Glenlivet’s “dark fruity nose with notes of toasted barley, fruit compote, and black Assam tea flavors with a kick of ginger snaps.” This “fine sipping whisky” edged out an impressive array of gorgeous Scotch single malts to earn Best of Spring 2024. So, if it’s been a while since you sampled TGL21, it is time to revisit and indulge.

“I was sold on this from the first whiff, it’s just everything I could want in an Irish whiskey.” A mash of malted and unmalted barley from local farms is triple distilled in copper pots to create this iconic Pot Still Irish. From there, the whiskey is aged at least 15 years and matured in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The result is a “tingling and alive” whiskey featuring “mature oak aromas with rancio, lilting spice, and orange peel aromas.” “Flowering spices, dried figs, and oak run the palate on this delicate but well-structured whiskey; the maturity is evident here, but the whiskey remains sprightly.”

India has been introducing incredible whiskies to the United States for many years, and people are beginning to notice. While Indian expressions scored extremely high in this year’s competition, Rampur Jugalbandi #3 came out on top. This “zingy and delicious” single malt was aged in a combo of sweet port barrels and ex-bourbon, then bottled cask strength and non-chill-filtered. The result is a “warm and inviting whisky featuring dark, sweet, and inky fruit flavors with a balancing pop of peppery spice, capped by a lovely dry finish.” If you haven’t tried Indian whisky yet, here is the perfect place to begin.

Hot off being named Barleycorn 2023 Craft Distillery Of The Year, M&O Spirits is back with another victory. This spring, proprietors Doug McLaughlin and Mike Orozco won Best Single Barrel Bourbon and received a 96 96-point rating with M&0 Batch 27. Bottled cask strength at 123.4 proof, tasters found this “delicious and flavorful” whiskey had “just the right amount of oomph” to push it over the top.

Could this “fun” rye from the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee that tastes like a “sweet and nutty snickerdoodle cookie” be the ultimate dessert whiskey? It’s certainly possible. But while this high proof single cask rye is “sweet with perfumed Amburana influences popping,” it’s also balanced by “bold spice notes and a proper pop of heat on the finish.” Just to remind you that you’re drinking serious rye.

For the naysayers claiming wheat whiskey is simple and one-note, Heaven Hill master distiller Conor O’Driscoll presents Bernheim Barrel Proof A224. Released in February 2024, this limited edition, 100% wheat whiskey, had judges praising Bernheim’s “depth and complexity” as it crushed the category. “Here is a hot fudge sundae of a whiskey that drinks beautifully for its elevated ABV.” So, if you haven’t given Wheat Whiskey a chance, this high-octane sipper is a perfect place to begin.

Starlight Distillery is a family affair where distilling responsibilities are divided between Master Distiller Ted Huber and his two sons, Christian and Blake. This limited Japanese oak-finished bourbon is comprised of a three- and four-grain mashbill combination, both of which are aged seven years. The result yields a “beautiful nose with hints of fauna leading to deep caramelized flavors and a bold finish. With only eight barrels released, this Starlight Minunara Bourbon is a score if you can find one at the $150 MSRP.

To create Stranahan’s Sherry Cask American Single Malt, classic four-year-old Colorado malt whiskey is finished in a combination of Spanish PX and Oloroso Sherry casks. The result is a “sweet and fruit-laden” whiskey, which one judge described as a “tug of war between lovely earthiness and sweet sherry notes.” After earning a 95-point score, all agree, “This American single malt will make a beautiful Manhattan!”

“Wow, what a ride!” This Batch #3 American whiskey by Jacob’s Pardon Small Batch is a light whiskey, a lesser-known category introduced in the late ’60s as distillers sought ways to attract the growing vodka crowd to a “cleaner” brown spirit. But there is nothing “light” about the 71.45 proof on this, and after 18 years of aging, there is plenty of flavor, too. Our judges enjoyed “wonderful surprises at every turn” while evaluating this Double Gold medalist, especially the “glorious oak spiced finish.” “Yum!”

“A perfect whiskey for bold and badass whiskey lovers.” This is the general feeling from our judging panel about Uncle Nearest Batch 101, a straightforward Tennessee-born and raised cask strength, single-barrel whiskey chosen by Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler. Judges were enthralled with the “big and complex flavor and a nice bite that makes its presence known but doesn’t overpower. Well done!”

Master Distiller Chris Fletcher has released the third expression of Jack Daniel’s 10-Year in as many years. And while Old No. 7 has always been a behemoth on the whiskey scene, these extra-aged limited editions are making Jack relevant again within the serious whiskey geekdom. Bottled at an elevated 97 proof, this JD 10 is “steeped in rich notes of banana, chocolate, vanilla pudding, cinnamon, and dark berries. I could go on, but I’d rather have another sip. This is a simply fantastic whiskey.”

“A simply stunning whiskey that should be reserved for special occasions.” This limited edition Angel’s Envy Rye is the first release by Master Distiller Owen Martin (formerly of Stranahan’s). Finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrels, this high-octane sipper is fairly rare and collectible with only 5,500 bottles released. But considering this “decadent and complex yet balanced” whiskey tied the competition for a 97-Point Rating, it’s clearly worth seeking out.

Buzzard’s Roost Toasted Oak won Best Bourbon this spring and was tied as our highest-rated spirit in the entire competition. What we have here by Buzzard’s Roost founders Judy Hollis Jones and Jason Brauner is a combo of 4 and 5-year-old bourbons finished in #1 char “toasted” barrels, custom-made for BR by Independent Stave company. Our panel was undoubtedly impressed by the “gorgeous” caramel custard and vanilla nose, leading to sweet cinnamon, lemon, and caramel flavors.” On a side note, it’s important to point out that cores like this are scarce in this competition, so congratulations to a sleeper hit who outperformed some serious contenders.