In June 2024, the first annual Global Whisky Challenge was held. Founded by Wine Country Network, Inc., and its Whisky Mogul Media division, the competition recognized some of the best whiskies from across the globe.
The Global Whisky Challenge 2024
The Global Whisky Challenge consisted of three regionalized competitions: UK & Europe, Asia and Oceania, and America, Mexico, Canada, and South America. The winners of these regionalized heats were then sent to the grand final in New York City, where the top prizes were awarded.
Awards on offer included “Best of Show”, “Best of Class”, “Best of Region”, and “Best of Country”. Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals were also available to win.
According to Wine Country Network founder, Christopher J. Davies: “To do this right, we sliced the world into three sections. We conducted three regionalized competitions in Denver in June. We took the nine highest-scored Double Gold winners to New York City where our senior judges re-tasted, re-evaluated, and painstakingly selected the 2024 Global Whisky Champions.” Each whisky at the double-blind competition was scored out of 100 points.
When the Global Whisky Challenge 2024 results were announced, four bottlings clearly stood out on the competition’s website. And so, continuing our education into award-winning whiskies from around the world, let’s take a look at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place “Best in Show” whiskies, as well as the “Best in Class” American whiskey, as an homage to the country where the competition was founded.
WINNER – Best In Show 1st Place: Lagg Corriecravie Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Score: 96 points
Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, spiced red berries, charred embers, hazelnut, smoke, sweet spice
BUY NOW: $99.99
The winner of the coveted “Best In Show 1st Place” title at the Global Whisky Challenge 2024 was the Lagg Corriecravie Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
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Distilled on the Isle of Arran at Lagg Distillery, the Corriecravie Edition is the second installment in Lagg’s core range. The whisky was distilled from Concerto malted barley and water from the local borehole. An extended fermentation period helps to develop the full-bodied flavor in this relatively young single malt scotch.
Following an initial maturation period, Corriecravie was finished in Oloroso sherry hogsheads for sixth months, to develop the fruit and spice notes in the whisky.
Lagg Distillery differs from its sister distillery, Lochranza, which is located at the North tip of the island. Whilst Lochranza has been producing whisky for around three decades, Lagg is a fledgling distillery that produces a very subtle peated style of whisky.
This young single malt packed a powerful punch and was named “Best In Show” at the Global Whisky Challenge 2024, scoring 96 points.
Best In Show 2nd Place: Armorik Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt French Whisky
Score: 96 points
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, citrus fruit, menthol, dried fruits, crème brûlée, prunes, roasted almonds, spices
BUY NOW: $52.99
In recent years, many countries around the globe have been trying their hands at whisky-making. We have seen Indian whisky soar in popularity, and Chinese whisky made its way onto the market.
One of the fastest-growing categories, however, is French single malt whisky. The Armorik Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt French Whisky has won numerous awards since its introduction, including a Gold Medal at the 2017 SFWSC. Now, the whisky has been recognized again at the Global Whisky Challenge.
Distilled from 100% French malted barley, the whisky is fully matured in Oloroso sherry casks, which “brings together Breton and Andalusian influences for a generous taste”, according to the Amorik website.
Armorik has recently undergone a rebrand, which has seen its bottles gain a much sleeker and modern look. However, the specific expression tasted at the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge was a pre-rebrand whisky.
Best In Show 3rd Place: Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Single Malt American Whiskey
Score: 96 points
Tasting Notes: Raisins, figs, dates, honey, grape syrup, jam, candied fruit, Montmorency cherries, blackcurrant walnut, buttery caramel, whipped creme, brown sugar, smoked cayenne
BUY NOW: $52.99
Continuing its run of award wins, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey can now celebrate a “Best In Show 3rd Place “ win for its Sherry Cask expression at the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge.
The single malt American whiskey is distilled exclusively from malted barley in the foothills of the Rockies, and then aged for at least four years. The spirit is then finished in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez.
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask has won numerous accolades since its introduction, including a Gold Medal at the 2023 International Whisky Competition, as well as medals at the Denver International Spirits Competition, and the World Spirits Competition.
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is located in Denver, Colorado, and produces fantastic mountain single malt American whiskey whilst experimenting with cask finishes. The distillery opened a Whisky Lodge in Aspen earlier in 2024 to provide a new vacation spot for whisky lovers and skiers alike.
Best of Class, North America: William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Score: 98 points
Tasting Notes: Caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee, pipe tobacco, marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs, dates
BUY NOW: $1,499
And finally, the judges at the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge named the “Best of Class” North America recipient. The winner is (and I am sure this comes as a surprise to precisely no one) William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
This classic expression from the Buffalo Trace Distillery is a wheated bourbon, a recipe pioneered by its namesake, William Larue Weller.
W.L. Weller is an annual release from the distillery and is always highly sought after for its soft and palatable nature. The most recent expression, 2023, was aged for 12 years and 6 months before being bottled at 133.6 proof.
Scoring an astonishing 98 points, the bourbon was awarded a Double Gold Medal, and “Best of Class” North America.