The results of the 2025 Denver International Spirits Competition (DISC) were recently announced, and this year’s top winners included some impressive whiskeys that stood out in a crowded field. Known for its thorough judging process, DISC is one of the most respected spirits competitions.
Only three whiskeys are awarded the coveted ‘Best of Show’ title, from 3rd place to 1st place, with the winners reflecting the quality and variety in today’s whiskey scene. Although, this year’s winners are all from the United States! From classic styles to creative finishes, the top bottles show what makes this competition so special. Let’s take a closer look at the whiskeys that took home the top honors this year.
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About The Denver International Spirits Competition
The Denver International Spirits Competition (DISC) is one of the world’s premier spirits competitions, now in its 14th year. The competition features over 125 categories and attracts some of the finest spirits from around the globe.
Each entry is judged by a seasoned team of certified spirits specialists and experienced buyers using a double-blind process, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation. The judging panel scores the entries on a 100-point scale, using the NEAT Ultimate Spirits Evaluation Glass to assess the aromas, flavors, and overall quality of each spirit.
The competition is held over multiple weekends each March, culminating in a final tasting session with senior judges to select the top awards.
Best of Show 1st Place: Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Dried apricot, nutmeg, cinnamon toast, leather, light tobacco, creamy butterscotch and brown sugar, baked apples, with notes of cayenne and toasted oak.
BUY NOW: From $40
Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey is a standout from Stranahan’s Distillery in Denver, Colorado, the first legal whiskey distillery in the state since Prohibition. Founded in 2004 by Jess Graber and George Stranahan, Stranahan’s has become known for its creative approach to whiskey-making, with a particular focus on experimental cask finishes.
Blue Peak is double-distilled at high altitude, which gives it a unique character. It’s aged for four years in new American oak barrels with a #3 char, adding those warm, toasted flavors. The whiskey is then finished using a Solera method, which gives it a rich, layered profile. At 86 proof, it’s smooth but still has a nice boldness to it.
What makes Stranahan’s special is its roots in the Rocky Mountains. They use snowmelt from the area in their whiskey, adding a unique local touch.
Best of Show 2nd Place: Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye
Tasting Notes: Oak, leather molasses, all-spice, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla, and lingering pepper.
BUY NOW: From $1,300
Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye pays tribute to the famous Sazerac Coffee House, founded in 1850 in New Orleans, where “America’s First Cocktail” was born. Using rye whiskey, Peychaud’s Bitters, and Herbsaint, the Sazerac cocktail became an iconic part of New Orleans culture—and this rye whiskey carries that same history and tradition.
Made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, known for producing some of the most well-known American whiskeys, Sazerac Rye is known for its mellow spice and dry sweetness. With 18 years of aging, it has a smooth, well-rounded flavor that’s both rich and balanced. The spice is there, but it’s not overwhelming, making each sip a pleasure. It’s the kind of whiskey that’s perfect for sipping or using in a classic cocktail, but it’s definitely got the quality to stand on its own.
Best of Show 3rd Place: Blue Note Bourbon Crossroads
Tasting Notes: Baking spices, toasted almond, Manuka honey, roasted marshmallow, and vanilla.
BUY NOW: From $40
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Blue Note Bourbon Crossroads, made by B.R. Distilling Co. in Memphis, Tennessee, is a bourbon that really stands out. Since 2018, B.R. Distilling has been perfecting its craft in the city, and its location just north of downtown Memphis, with its perfect aging conditions, plays a big part in what makes its whiskey so special.
Crossroads is distilled from a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. After being aged, it’s finished with two types of toasted French oak staves, which give it a smooth, rich flavor. Despite sitting at 100 proof, it sips like a lower-proof bourbon—easy-drinking but still packing a punch. You’ll get notes of vanilla, caramel, and a bit of spice, all balanced out with the unique character that comes from the toasted oak. It’s unfiltered, so you get the full, unadulterated flavor in every sip. Crafted with care in Memphis, this bourbon is now available nationwide.
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