The Top Irish & World Whiskeys: 2024 American Distilling Institute Judging

At the 2024 American Distilling Institute (ADI) International Spirits Competition (ISC), one international whisky stood out, taking Best of Class honors, while three others were recognized as Best of Category. These winners, each with their unique characteristics, showcased a diverse range of international whisky, including the top Canadian, Irish, and international whisky expressions.

The annual competition, a springtime event that attracts some of America’s top spirit judges, is a prestigious platform. It not only spotlights leading craft distillers and their spirits among American and international producers but also provides significant recognition for their efforts. This year, the competition once again proved its significance, with numerous up-and-coming distillers earning Double Gold and Gold medals, a testament to their dedication and skill.

The ISC designates the top spirits in each category as Best of Class, while the top spirits in each sub-category are designated Best of Category. The Best of Class winners are chosen from the Best of Category winners.

The Best of Class International Whisky is RUACH Distillery, Ascent Single Malt Whisky, 3 YO, 47.7% ABV, 750 ml.

RUACH Distillery’s Ascent Single Malt Whisky, the Best of Class International Whisky, is a premium offering from a craft distillery in Israel. This whisky stands out for its unique aging process in a combination of American oak and French oak barrels, which results in a smooth and complex flavor profile. It’s a sensory journey with every sip, revealing notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice.

The ADI Judging Panel described the whisky as exhibiting:

A creamy and lactic note on the nose accompanied by caramel and tropical fruit aromas. On the palate, the whisky is smooth and sweet, with flavors of tropical fruits and caramel and mild pepper notes. The finish is long, sweet, and fruity with a mild but lingering pepperiness.

The Best of Category Canadian Whisky is Proof and Wood, Good Day & Sunshine, 21 YO, 52% ABV, 750 ml.

Proof & Wood is a Kentucky based bottler. Its Good Day & Sunshine expression is crafted from a blend of high-quality whiskies sourced from various Canadian distilleries. The exact composition of the blend is undisclosed, but it is selected to create a balanced and nuanced whisky.

The whisky is characterized by its smooth and mellow taste, with notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, and spice. It is bottled at a higher proof to preserve its full-bodied flavor and aged character.

The ADI Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring:

Aromas of tropical fruits, especially mango, and a hint of pineapple on the nose. On the palate, it is sweet and smooth with pronounced tropical fruit notes, along with flavors of caramel/burnt sugar and mildly peppery. The finish is very long and sweet, with lingering fruit and caramel notes.

The Best of Category Irish Whiskey is Waterford Whisky, The Waterford Cuvée “Koffi” Irish Single Malt Whiskey, No-Age-Statement, 50% ABV, 750 ml.

Waterford Whisky is a distillery based in Ireland known for its focus on terroir-driven whiskey production, emphasizing the influence of the regional environment and locally sourced raw materials on the flavor of their spirits. The Waterford Cuvée “Koffi” Irish Single Malt Whiskey is a unique expression that showcases this philosophy.

This whiskey is made from 100% Irish malted barley, sourced from a single farm named Koffi in Ireland. The barley is grown using organic and sustainable practices, factors which the company believes, contribute to the whiskey’s distinctive flavor profile.

The Waterford Cuvée “Koffi” is aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, which impart rich and robust flavors of barley sugar, vanilla, and oak, with a hint of spice.

The ADI Judging Panel described the whiskey as exhibiting:

Butterscotch and fruit aromas on the nose. On the palate, there are stone and tropical fruit notes along with creamy butterscotch and vanilla. The finish is long, sweet, and fruity with a mild but lingering pepperiness.

The Best of Category International Non-Typical Whiskey is Balai Craft Distillery Vietnam, Katan Whisky, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

Katan Whisky is Vietnam’s first locally produced whisky. The whisky is characterized by its smooth and mellow taste, with notes of caramel and vanilla, and complemented by hints of assorted fruits and Vietnamese spices. The whisky has not yet been released in the US.

The ADI Judging Panel described the whisky as featuring:

Savory aromas along with seasoned oak, fruit, and caramel on the nose. On the palate, the whisky is rich and robust. There are pronounced fruit notes of stone fruit and hints of tropical fruit, along with spice notes of cinnamon and cloves. The finish is long, sweet, and fruity, with a mild lingering pepperiness.

The 2024 ADI winners highlighted an impressive class of up-and-coming distillers. Some of the winners are historic producers, some are well-known craft distillers, while others are still relatively new with limited national distribution.

All of them produce outstanding whiskies and are very reasonably priced, however, they are well worth seeking out. Once again, ADI has done a superb job of identifying the international craft distillery industry’s up-and-coming producers.

See the ADI’s website for a complete listing of all the medalists in the American Distilling Institute’s International Spirits Competition.

Cheers