Renowned colors of spirits are coveted throughout the world, among which Golden or Amber spirits nestled the most. Distillers seek this particular color especially due to its royal appearance & the flavor it leaves behind. 

To question what gives spirits this unique color? The answer lies within barrels aging for years. Distillation process does not indulge spirits in colors leaving them colorless, the aging process is where the magic happens.  

Image source : Unsplash

The process includes storing spirits in wooden casks for their requisite color, there are many different types of cask used to finish spirits, depending on what definition of final taste the producer is looking for. Irish whiskey for example is allowed to age in any type of wood, while scotch whisky must be aged in oak in order to carry the name. 

‘Special example with layers of experience plunged in cask wrapped us in a Velvety texture with flavor & aroma that gracefully grows as it ages.’

Some notable distillers of Lebanon prefer to use Wine cask, in order to bring traditional whiskey taste that has made the Limestone Branch Distillery’s product so noteworthy to win a Double Gold in Bartender Spirits Awards 2023. Whatever the process, it always returns a labour of love & spirit. 

The annual Caliber & Joy experienced at Bartender spirits Awards where hundreds of  spirits from all over the world participates to get tasted & amaze our experts with their ample potential.  

At the 5th edition of Bartender Spirits Awards 2023 more than (20) Double Gold, (260) Gold, (820) Silver and (160) Bronze medals winners were born where Sweet and creamy, spicey but aromatic, citrusy and more flavors were discovered. Watch our BSA 2023 highlights over here.

"Winning a gold and two silvers at Bartender Spirit Awards gave us bragging rights for our products. This new talking point was a useful tool for social media posts as well as sales pitches and it helped give us the edge on similar products in our area" - says Darrell Bellaart, owner at Misguided Spirits.

With all this going on, the Bartender Spirits Awards results become a notable guide to discovering the best of the region and its producers’ individual styles.

Tasted and rated blind by leading judges, with tasting notes providing layers of insight into the varied expressions, find below the 15 top-scoring wines from the 2023 Award competition, with more to find at bartenderspiritsawards.com

 

Bartender Spirits Awards 2023 : 15 Top-Scoring Liquid Golden Spirits to Try

1. Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Image Source : limestonebranch

96 points Double Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Pleasant on the nose, hints of apple and baking spice. Silky mouthfeel. Well rounded. Finish lingers spectacularly with candied sugar.

2. Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond

Image Source : Evan Williams

96 points Double Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Nose of white and black pepper, dried stone fruits, and a prominent banana that carries on to the palate. Dried stone fruits along with bitter chocolate to taste.

3. Boatskeg Salted Caramel Flavored Vodka

Image Source : Boatskeg

95 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Vodka

Tasting Note : 
Caramel and butterscotch all the way. Great mixability and very approachable.

4. Cutwater Bourbon Whiskey

Image Source : Cutwater Whiskey

95 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Toasted almonds on the nose with candied marzipan and black tea. A little earthy. Really creamy mouthfeel with raisins, caramel, brown butter, vanilla, and fresh grapes.

5. Grappa Riserva 7 Anni

Image Source : Nardini

95 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Brandy

Tasting Note : 
A power house of green herbs and melon rind. Sunflower seeds and caramel round out the finish.

6. Cavehill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Cask Strengt

Image Source : Rabbit Hole

84 points Silver Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Oak notes along with baking spices like cinnamon, clove, chestnut that end in a slow lingering finish.

7. The Beverly High Ry

Image Source : Beverly Spirits

94 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Maple and vanilla on the nose. Medium dry body with a heavy finish of rye spice.

8. Interboro Straight Malt Whiskey

Image Source : Interboro

85 points Silver Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Prominent aroma of toasted cereal grains and custard. Rustic and warming palate with bitter orange and red apple. Long and drying finish with oak and biscuit notes.

9. Serpiente For The Bold Tequila Reposad

Image Source : Serpiente 

94 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Tequila

Tasting Note : 
Sweet toffee and creme brûlée sugars give it a smooth and lasting finish.

10. Castle & Key Restoration Rye Whiskey

Image Source : Castle & Key

94 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Whiskey 

Tasting Note : 
Tasty caramel, lots of baking spice, and hints of vanilla. Has an interesting grain quality and a certain briny aspect to it.

11. Luna Nueva Tequila Reposad

Image Source : Luna Nueva 

94 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Tequila

Tasting Note : 
Warm, inviting maple nose with notes of cooked toffee and warm vanilla oak. Some burnt caramel notes add to a rich mouthfeel.

12. Corpen Gi

Image Source : Corpen Barcelona

94 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Gin

Tasting Note : 
Light notes of cola and brûlée sugar with a creamy yet elegant and pronounced finish.

13. Accompani - Mari Gol

Image Source : Straightaway Cocktail

87 points Silver Medal BSA 2023
Category : Liqueur 

Tasting Note : 
Notes of grapefruit, bergamot, coriander, orange, and ginseng. Overall a good mix of botanical and fruity.

14. Ferrand Dry Curaca

Image Source : Maison Ferrand  

94 points Gold Medal BSA 2023
Category : Fruit Spirits (Distilled)

Tasting Note : 
Notes of fresh & baked apple, honey, dried fig, mint & hazelnut. Supple mouthfeel and with a medium to long finish pleasantly coating on the palate.

If you are looking to discover more of these Golden options, head to our Winners archive where all season winners can be seen. 

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