The Denver Worldwide Spirits Competitors (DISC) is billed as “the biggest spirits competitors in The Rockies”. The double-blind tasting competitors is held yearly and options every part from whiskey and bourbon to tequila and vodka.
Held by the Wine Nation Community, the 2024 Denver Worldwide Spirits Competitors befell in Broomfield, CO, between March 2nd and March tenth, 2024.
Every spirit is in with the possibility of incomes both a silver, gold, or double gold medal. As well as, three spirits are awarded Greatest In Present (1st, 2nd, and third place).
To call each gold medal winner within the American whiskey and bourbon classes would take a very long time. As such, I’ve chosen to deal with the Double Gold and Greatest In Present winners.
Learn on to search out out which American whiskeys and bourbons gained medals on the DISC 2024, the historical past of the bottles, tasting notes, and the place you may get your palms on these award-winning spirits.
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Medal: Better of Present – 1st Place
Tasting Notes: Darkish brown sugar, vanilla bean, stewed cherry, brown sugar crumble
BUY NOW: $1,500
A traditional expression produced on the Buffalo Hint Distillery, William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a wheated bourbon. The bourbon’s namesake, William Larue Weller, was instrumental in pioneering a bourbon recipe that changed rye grain with wheat within the mash invoice.
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an annual launch from the distillery. The 2023 William Larue Weller launch was aged for 12 years and 6 months earlier than being bottled at 133.6 proof.
The William Larue Weller bourbon is multi-award profitable, having additionally been named Grasp on the American Whiskey Masters in 2023.
Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Medal: Better of Present – third Place
Tasting Notes: Chocolate, brown sugar, rye spice, cherries, cloves, smoke
BUY NOW: $197.94
Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is called for George T. Stagg, an iconic determine in bourbon historical past. Stagg was on the helm of the O.F.C. Distillery throughout a pivotal time in historical past for bourbon manufacturing and steered the distillery (now Buffalo Hint) in direction of business success.
This Stagg expression is totally different from its George T. Stagg Vintage Assortment counterpart in that it’s bottled at a better proof/ABV, permitting the notes of rye spice to essentially sing. A drop of water could be wanted to take pleasure in this bourbon at its best.
The whiskey is launched in batches 4 instances a yr with the seasons. They’re barely simpler to get your palms on than the Vintage Assortment George T. Stagg bourbons.
Copper Sky Distillery Change Rail Single Malt
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Smoky, earthy, malt, chocolate
BUY NOW: N/A
Copper Sky Distillery is situated in Longmont, Colorado. Based by entrepreneur and former Military vet, Mike Root, Copper Sky is concentrated on bringing high-quality, community-driven American whiskey to the plenty.
The distillery has thus far launched a wheated bourbon, a low rye bourbon, and London dry gin, and (after all) the Copper Sky Distillery Change Rail Single Malt.
I couldn’t discover an enormous quantity of knowledge on the Change Rail Single Malt, apart from the truth that it’s bottled at 90 proof. And, after all, its Double Gold medal on the DISC in 2023. So, you probably have any details about this whiskey – or you’ve tried it for your self – tell us!
Dunamis Interstellar Bourbon
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Oak, vanilla, toffee, citrus, caramel
BUY NOW: $61.99
Dunamis Interstellar Bourbon is, in accordance with the model’s web site, “created for many who perceive that energy offers us the flexibility to journey amongst (and past) the celebs”.
The bourbon is comprised of a mash invoice consisting of corn, rye, and malted barley. It’s aged for 5 years in American oak after which, notably, topic to the “Dunamis micron filtration course of” in addition to “16 chambers of charcoal filtration”. The ensuing bourbon is clean and straightforward consuming.
Dunamis (from the Greek phrase for “highest degree of greatness and energy” was based by Sir Victor Younger in Florida. Younger’s imaginative and prescient was to create “Premium Spirits for Extraordinary Individuals”. As such, the Dunamis Interstellar Bourbon’s Double Gold medal on the Denver Worldwide Spirits Competitors actually means that this enterprise is sure for fulfillment.
Stranahan’s Blue Peak American Single Malt Whiskey
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Dried apricot, nutmeg, cinnamon toast, leather-based, tobacco, butterscotch, brown sugar, baked apples, cayenne, toasted oak
BUY NOW: $35.49
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is turning into one thing of a characteristic in my awards articles. It is a testomony to the standard of the one malts popping out of the Denver distillery. Final week, I wrote about Stranahan’s Sherry Cask’s success on the Worldwide Whisky Competitors. This week, Blue Peak takes heart stage.
This American Single Malt is called for the 13-thousand-foot mountain, Blue Peak, situated in Aspen. The whiskey is double distilled after which aged in American oak with degree #3 char for 4 years. It’s then completed in Solera casks, imparting a refined sherry affect.
Due to its top-quality single malts and new Whiskey Lodge, Stranahan’s is quick turning into a single malt lovers’ vacation spot.
Rocker Bourbon Whiskey Completed in Port Wine Barrels
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes obtainable
BUY NOW: N/A
Produced by Rocker Spirits in Littleton, CO, this bourbon is distilled from a 70% corn and 30% wheat mash invoice earlier than being aged for at least three years in American Oak with various ranges of char. The whiskey was completed in port wine barrels.
The novelty bottle was impressed by a rusty Thirties oil can discovered by co-founder, Duston Evans, on a visit to a junkyard. Struck by its classic design and purposeful nature, this will shaped the premise for the distinctive Rocker Spirits bottle.
Modeled after the oil can, and emulating the identify of the micro-distillery, the Rocker Spirits bottle rocks ahead to dispense the spirit after which rocks backward to face upright once more.
Rocker Spirits additionally produces Rocker Rum and Rocker Vodka.
With its distinctive bottle design, this micro-distillery has carved out a model id and presence that has made it in style in its dwelling state. Mixed with award-winning bourbons, Rocker is one to look at.
Heaven’s Door Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Caramel, vanilla, oak, char, toasted grains, cinnamon, nutmeg
BUY NOW: $29.99
The inaugural bourbon from Heaven’s Door, Ascension, has actually made an impression within the bourbon and whiskey world.
Ascension is a mix of two Kentucky Straight Bourbons which have every been aged for at least 5 years. The bourbons are then blended in small batches and bottled 92 proof (46% ABV).
The Heaven’s Door model was based by music legend, Bob Dylan, and Marc Bushala. In February 2024 the model introduced the launch of The Exploration Collection. The collection explores the results of assorted cask finishes, with the primary installment being a 5 yr previous Tennessee whiskey completed in Calvados casks.
One other comparatively younger whiskey model, having been based in 2018, Heaven’s Door is predicted to formally open its distillery in Pleasureville in Spring 2024.
Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Single Barrel Bourbon Restricted
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Flowers, pear, leather-based, butterscotch, walnut, maple, graham cracker, honey, apple peel, creamy darkish chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, sorghum, lavender
BUY NOW: N/A
The subsequent Double Gold medal winner on the Denver Worldwide Spirits Competitors in 2024 is a single barrel expression from the Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. The whiskey was launched completely by Bourbon Limited.
Distilled from a mash invoice comprising 75% corn, 18% rue, and seven% malted barley, the bourbon was aged for over 9 years earlier than being bottled from a single barrel at 123 proof. That is the oldest single barrel bourbon but produced by the Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
Situated in Frankfort, Kentucky, the model additionally distills award-winning gin and peach brandy in addition to a Bottled-In-Bond bourbon.
One other Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. expression, Ghost Rye-ders within the Sky, was additionally awarded a Double Gold medal on the 2024 DISC. Nonetheless, I can discover little or no details about this expression. Once more, you probably have tried this whiskey or know something about it, please do get in contact.
Awards Season Approaches
So there you’ve it: the Double Gold and Better of Present winners from the 2024 Denver Worldwide Spirits Competitors.
Spring and summer time are all the time busy instances for whiskey lovers, as many awards are hosted throughout this time. Control The Whiskey Wash as I provide the low down on but extra award winners, and preserve you recent on any new outcomes.