Contenders
#1 - Redbreast 12 YO
Cumulative Score: 20.89 | Whiskey Category: Irish | Proof: 80
How it got here: Redbreast 12 year old made its Sip Savor Score debut on October 7, 2023 at the Kuczinski Castle during Event #2 (Irish Night), taking home 1st place honors with a 21.35 score, and an automatic qualifying spot in the Quarterfinal round. In the Round 1 Quarterfinals, Redbreast maintained an impressive showing with the judges, scoring a 19.56 against the longshot 1792 bourbon in the head-to-head matchup.
Redbreast is 1 of only 3 whiskeys to average over 20.00 points and 1 of only 2 Irish whiskeys to qualify for the semifinals in the Sip Savor Score judging system this season.
Whiskey Notes: Redbreast 12, is the flagship release from the Redbreast line; it's a traditional Midleton triple distilled Irish whiskey and matured in oak casks.
#12 - Suntory Toki
Cumulative Score: 16.00 | Whiskey Category: Japanese | Proof: 86
How it got here: Suntory Toki appeared during Event #6 which was the internecine battle of Beam Suntory whiskeys held at Kel's Poolside Bar and Grill. With a small number of judges present at the early November event, Toki scored a modest 15.31 which was just enough to finish 4th that night and qualify as the #12 seed in the Wild-Card Round. During the Wild-Card, Toki posted an improved 17.0 score to best its head-to-head competition of Weldon Mills Reserve and move on to the next round.
In the Quarterfinals, Toki needed a "next-day sober" judge scoring review, were it was deemed the mathematical winner in a close scoring affair, 15.81 over Legent Bourbon's 15.63.
As a side note, this was the second direct paring of Toki vs. Legent, as they also paired off in the opening round of Beam-Suntory night with Legent winning by a wide margin with that particular group of judges.
Whiskey Notes: A blended Japanese whisky, known as the most American of Japanese blends. It is comprised of two primary components, grain whiskies from Chita and single malts from Hakushu aged in American white oak barrels. Per the manufacturer, it makes an ideal Highball Whiskey cocktail with sparkling water and lots of ice.
#5 Woodford Reserve
Cumulative Score: 19.04 | Whiskey Category: Bourbon | Proof: 90.4
How it got here: Woodford Reserve placed 2nd in the Bourbon Batch #2 Event (Event #8 overall) with a very respectable score of 19.88. This event was a fully blind tasting event and one of the most anticipated groupings of the season. With the 2nd place finish, Woodford automatically qualified for the playoff quarterfinals.
In the Quarterfinal round Woodford was paired with Whitetail Single batch bourbon and perhaps as a result of the pairing, it's score on that night dropped to an event score of 16.98.
Whiskey Notes: The quintessential Kentucky Bourbon known globally for its close connection to the Kentucky Derby and Mint Julips, Woodford is known for its complex flavor profile and finish at a slightly elevated proof point.
#8 Basil Hayden Bourbon
Cumulative Score: 17.85 | Whiskey Category: Bourbon | Proof: 80
How it got here: Like Suntory Toki from the first matchup, Basil Hayden also came out of the Beam-Suntory night at Kel's Poolside Bar and Grill finishing 3rd with a 16.55 score and qualifying as the #8 seed in the Wild Card Round. During the Wild Card matchup, Hayden scored and impressive 17.93 and bested High West Campfire Whiskey.
In the Quarterfinals, Basil Hayden Bourbon was attributed a very high 19.92 score to edge out Buffalo Trace's score of 19.83.
Whiskey Notes: Known as a gateway bourbon into Jim Beam's Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden's 80-proof bourbon is high-rye mashbill (63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley). There is no age statement on this bourbon which is likely aged somewhere between 5 and 8 years.
#4 Jameson Triple Triple
Cumulative Score: 19.04 | Whiskey Category: Irish | Proof: 80
How it got here: The 2nd Irish Whiskey to qualify for the Semifinals, Jameson Triple Triple was first judged in Event #2 (Irish Night) where it finished 2nd to Redbreast with an event score of 19.78. The 2nd place finish automatically qualified the Triple Triple for the playoff quarterfinals where it topped Jonnie Walker Black with a score of 19.60.
Whiskey Notes: Jameson Triple Triple is not for sale in the United States with the exception of Duty Free shops for international travelers. It is triple distilled and triple cask matured in Bourbon, Sherry, and hand-selected Malaga casks.
#9 Bulleit Rye
Cumulative Score: 17.62 | Whiskey Category: Rye | Proof: 90
How it got here: Bulleit Rye qualified for the playoffs as a 2nd-place finisher during our season kickoff event which was focused on the Rye-style whiskey made famous during the Whiskey Rebellion of the late 1700s. Bulleit scored a 17.73 with the judges during that event, qualifying as the #12 seed in the Quarterfinals.
In the Quarterfinals, Bulleit Rye was matched up against Maker's Mark where it came away with the win by a gnat's eyelash 17.29 to 17.14, to stake its claim to the Semi-finals.
Whiskey Notes: Made from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, Bulleit is about as rye as it comes. The small batch whiskey comes from a blend of barrels aged 4-7 years.
#3 Basil Hayden Dark Rye
Cumulative Score: 20.29 | Whiskey Category: Rye | Proof: 80
How it got here: Basil Hayden Dark Rye was a run-away winner in our Rye Whiskey season opener netting a whopping 20.53 score by the judges. This top score automatically qualified Basil Hayden Dark Rye for the Quarterfinals where it was paired against the Scotch Whisky Balvenie Caribbean Cask. Basil Hayden notched another impressive score of 19.67 with the judges putting it as a favorite in the Semi-Finals.
Basil Hadyen Dark Rye is 1 of 3 whiskeys to score a 20.0 or better so far this season.
Whiskey Notes: From the distiller's comments, Basil Hadyen Dark Rye begins with a Kentucky Rye mashbill, blended with a Canadian Rye and finished with a touch of Port.
#10 Glenfiddich 14 YO
Cumulative Score: 17.14 | Whisky Category: Scotch | Proof: 86
How it got here: Scotch night was held on a mid-January night complete with kilts, and Scottish fare to complement the whisky. Glenfiddich 14 year old was the winner of the evening with a score of 17.06. While that score was good enough for 1st place, it was happy to not be associated with an "A" grade on that particular evening.
As the event winner Glenfiddich automatically qualified for the Quarterfinals where it was seeded #7 and paired up against the Old Forester Bottled in Bond 1897. The 14 year old Scotch held serve with a 17.33 score by the judges moving into the Semi-Finals.
Whisky Notes: A single malt scotch whisky aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon American oak casks. And that is no typo, the "e" is missing on purpose for the Scotts (as well as the Japanese and Canadians).
#6 Angel's Envy
Cumulative Score: 19.01 | Whiskey Category: Bourbon | Proof: 86.6
How it got here: Finishing 3rd in the Event 8 Bourbon Batch #2 with a score of 18.73, Angel's Envy was awarded the #2 seed in the Wild-Card Round. In the Wild Card, Angel's Envy scored an easy victory over Dewar's White Label with by rating a solid 19.17 score with the judges of the evening.
Advancing to the Quarterfinals, Angel's Envy was seeded #17 as a result of qualifying via the Wild Card, but easily outscored it's paired opponent, Big Spring American Whiskey, 19.92 to 15.42 in order to move on to the Semi-Finals
Whiskey Notes: A mashbill of 72% Corn, 18% Rye and 10% Malted Barley, blended in small batches typically aged up to 6 years and finished in French oak ruby port wine casks imported from Portugal for a period of 3-6 months.
#7 Bulleit Bourbon
Cumulative Score: 18.44 | Whiskey Category: Bourbon | Proof: 90
How it got here: Our lone camp night entry that has qualified for the Semi-Finals (not without objection by loyalists to the Crown). Bulleit scored a blended 1st place finish on the multi-event camp night where two sets of judges rated the whiskeys independently. Bulleit finished 3rd in WV camp, but 1st back in PA with a combined score between the two of 18.65.
With the automatic qualification for the playoffs, Bulleit was seeded #4 and scored a 17.5 in a victory over High West Rendezvous Rye.
Whiskey Notes: Bulleit is comprised of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. Bulleit is owned and distributed by Diageo, however the Whiskey is a blend from Four Roses.
#2 Blanton's Original
Cumulative Score: 20.62 | Whiskey Category: Bourbon | Proof: 93
How it got here: Blanton's was the big winner on the ultra competitive Bourbon Batch #2 night (Event #8) which ultimately placed 3 qualifiers into the semifinals. Blanton's is also 1 of 3 whiskeys to have a cumulative score north of 20.00. Blanton's scored a 20.2 during its regular season event which was good enough to qualify as the #3 seed in the Quarterfinals.
In the Quarterfinals, Blanton's closed out the round with a score of 21.67. This judges score was the highest single event score in the history of Sip Savor Score.
Whiskey Notes: A bit of Whiskey history. Blanton's was the first single barrel bourbon sold commercially way back in 1984 (hence the name Original).
Aged 6-8 years in American white oak with a mashbill rumored to be 12-15% rye.
#11 Jefferson's Reserve
Cumulative Score: 16.94 | Whiskey Category: Bourbon | Proof: 90.2
How it got here: Jefferson Reserve is the lone representative from the October 21st tasting of OctoberBourbonFest (Event #4). Placing 2nd in that event behind Buffalo Trace, Jefferson's Reserve had a respectable 16.65 score which was good enough to qualify as the #14 seed in the Quarterfinals.
In the Quarterfinals, Jefferson's Reserve (not to be confused with its sister bourbon Jefferson's Ocean), bested Basil Hayden Toast by clocking a score of 17.42 and moving on the Semis.
Whiskey Notes: Known as a "very old" bourbon whiskey, Jefferson's Reserve is a blend of up to four bourbons with 50% being aged 15 years. The mashbill is rumored to be 60% corn, 30% rye, and 10% malted barley.
