Whiskey is an exquisite
alcoholic beverage made from various types of grain using special methods of distillation, storage and aging. Usually they drink it in its pure form, or interfere with cocktails. Like any other type of alcoholic beverage, this drink is available in both the highest and lower quality. In this article we will give a rating of whiskey so that you can decide which option to buy for a home feast, which is not a shame to give to a large boss, and which one to use as an investment for the future. After all, collection bottles "go" at auctions for many thousands of dollars.
Rating of the best whiskey according to the authoritative magazine "Bible of whiskey"
Firstly, it should be noted that the best whiskey is Scotch (scotch) and Irish. Often a separate rating is compiled exclusively for these species. Exposure, composition is also important - after all, the drink is single-malt, two-malt and multi-malt. Even the material from which the barrels for storing alcohol are made is important (oak are considered the best). Taking into account all these factors, they make up the rating of whiskey. So, let's listen to the opinion of experts and see how the authoritative sommeliers of the American magazine “Bible of whiskey” distributed the prize places:
1. In the first place - Old Pulteney 21 YO whiskey, which earned 97.5 evaluation points out of 100 possible. The price for 700 ml is about 200-250 dollars, which is pretty good for the winner of the first place.
2. The second place of honor, according to experts of the “Whiskey Bible”, should be given to the noble drink George T. Stagg, the price of a bottle of which is about 150-160 dollars.
3. Third place goes to the Parker's Heritage Collection Wheated Mash Bill Bourbon 10 YO. Its cost is much less - only 80-90 dollars per 750 ml bottle.
We named the three main winners of the rating. Then, experts examined the best varieties in various categories, for example: Scotch (Scotch whiskey), Single malt scotch, Irish and American whiskey. I must say that this, perhaps, the most authoritative rating of whiskey in the world does not include the varieties of the drink widely known to Russian customers. The only one of the best in the Blended Tape category was the more or less familiar Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 YO.
The most delicious whiskey: customer opinion
Agree, you can take into account the opinions of experts about which whiskey in the world is the best. But is it worth relying on them, speaking about the taste of the product? After all, sommeliers evaluate drinks according to some special, half-secret criteria, and the fact that an ordinary buyer will not like what they might think is divine pleasure. So, let's look at the rating of whiskey to taste, based on the feedback of the consumers themselves, as well as on sales estimates. So, in the first place is the drink of William Lawson's (Baccardi company), the second is firmly occupied by Johnnie Walker Black Label, the third place went to the whiskey company Maccalan. Whether experts agree with such a rating is a big question ... The above Top 3 drinks are based on data on sales growth for 2013.
Rating of whiskey in the world: top 10 most expensive drinks
Now we’ve come to the most interesting part, because collection grades of whiskey cost tens of thousands of dollars, and few people buy them just to enjoy a fragrant drink while sitting by the fireplace and smoking a cigar. Such bottles are considered as an investment and carefully stored in special cabinets, which, incidentally, also cost a lot of money. So, we present to your attention another rating of whiskey. The main selection criterion in it was the price per bottle of drink (the rating was compiled on the basis of 2013 data):
1. In the first place is a mixed of the three varieties of Macallan whiskey, a blend of 1946, at a price of $ 460,000 per bottle. Believe me, the cost of a drink will only grow over the years.
2. In the second - Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955 whiskey at a price of $ 94,000 per bottle (compared to the first-place owner, this price seems extremely “affordable”).
3. Macallan is back in third place, but already in 1926. The price is $ 75,000 per bottle.
4. The fourth position is occupied by Glenfiddich of 1937 - it seems that the brands Glenfiddich and Macallan entered into a serious competition in price and quality of the product. The cost of a bottle of Glenfiddich 1937 is 71,700 dollars.
5. In fifth place is the rare brand Dalmore 62 Highland Malt Scotch Matheson whiskey at a price of $ 58,000 per bottle.
6. The sixth to tenth positions were taken by Macallan 55, Dalmore 50, Glenfarclas 1955, Macallan 1939 and Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50, where the last digit in the name is the number of years of aging. Prices per bottle range from $ 15,500 for the Macallan 55 to $ 10,000 for the Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50.
The popularity rating of inexpensive whiskeys
Of course, it’s good to be a millionaire and have a bottle of ten SUVs in stock ... However, not everyone can enjoy such a pleasure. And so let's look at the ranking of whiskey in popularity. It includes exactly those drinks that are available to the average buyer, because their price does not exceed $ 30-40 for a standard bottle of 0.7 liters. The rating process took into account the taste of the drink, quality, aftertaste and other important criteria
1. The first place belongs to Kingdom 12 Year Old Scotch whiskey: the product has 12 years of aging and a soft aftertaste.
2. Second on the list is Town Branch Bourbon, the famous American brand.
3. The third is Elmer T. Lee Bourbon Whiskey.
4. The fourth position is occupied by Black Bottle Blended Scotch whiskey (experts say that this “scotch tape” has a bright finish with fruity notes).
5. In fifth place - Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey, it is noteworthy that its strength is 45 degrees.
Value for money: continued popularity rating of inexpensive whiskeys
If you are an amateur, and not a connoisseur of this drink, the first five items listed above are unlikely to cause you any associations. But continuing the rating, you will finally see familiar brands on the list. So:
6. In sixth place settled Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey six-year exposure.
7. The seventh line in this rating is given to Pescadores Pumpkin Whiskey. This Thai-made drink has fruity and floral notes.
8. In eighth position - Smooth Ambler Exceptional White Whiskey. They say that it has a pronounced taste of cornmeal.
9. The ninth place was taken by a brand more or less familiar to Russians: the Johnny Drum Green Label drink has a standard 40 degrees and a slightly spicy taste.
10. And the last, tenth place is given to Johnny Drum Black Label, which also has a fortress of 40 degrees, and in its taste and aftertaste - shades of vanilla and ... skin.
So, we reviewed the rating of whiskey, compiled by experts in 2013. The main criterion in it was the price-quality ratio. The article mentioned that whiskey is also part of cocktails. Which ones? Read on.
Popular cocktails with whiskey
Making alcohol mixes is a whole art. A professional bartender can name a dozen cocktails, which include the drink in question. Here are the best and most popular of them:
- the famous mix of “whiskey-cola” (albeit only two ingredients, but still a cocktail) is a real hit;
- a cocktail called “Nail” or “Red Nail”, which also includes whiskey and Scottish liqueur “Drambuy”;
- many love Irish Coffee, a hot drink that also includes whiskey.
In general, it is customary to drink the noble Scotch or Single Molt simply with ice, so there are not many cocktails with the addition of this Scottish or Irish drink. So, we examined the rating of whiskey - the most expensive, as well as the most inexpensive, but at the same time high-quality, and most popular with buyers. We hope that our article will help you choose your drink or decide on a gift to a friend or colleague, because alcohol of this category is often used as a present for a birthday or any other holiday.