After recent years in which the Sazerac Company and American whiskeys have dominated Jim Murray’s “Whisky Bible” series, the influential writer has picked a Canadian expression as the world’s best.
Murray named Alberta Premium Cask Strength as World Whisky of the Year in his “Whisky Bible 2021.”
Made from a mix of malted and unmalted rye, Alberta Premium Cask Strength weighs in at 65.1% ABV. It scored 97.5 marks out of 100 in Murray’s annual, popular rankings.
After sweeping the board in 2020 with the top three spots, Sazerac Company settled for the runner-up spot in 2021 with the “mind-blowing” Stagg Jr Barrel Proof, another bourbon out of the Buffalo Trace stable.
Perhaps the most eye-catching podium entry of all was Mithuna, from the Paul John distillery of India — the first time a South Asian whisky has taken a top three, going on more than a decade.
Murray tasted 1,252 new drams for the 2021 edition of the Whisky Bible.
Speyside classic Glen Grant takes Scotch Whisky of the Year for its Aged 15 Years Batch Strength 1st Edition, with Murray praising the Moray distillery’s “extraordinary and unique charm.”
Other sectional winners include: Ballantine’s 30 Year Old (Blended Scotch); Annandale (Scotch 10 Years & Under); Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy (Irish); Thomas H Handy Sazerac (American Rye); Nikka Whisky Single Malt Yoichi Apple Brandy Wood Finish (Japanese); PUNI Aura Italian Single Malt (European).
Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2021 will be available at select retailers next week with a nationwide rollout at the end of October. The suggested retail price is $19.95 per book.
