2023 Best of Show Whisky Comes From Unheralded Distiller
The Best of Show Whisky from the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was Tomatin Highland Single Malt 36 Year Old. If you’ve never heard of the Tomatin brand before, you’re probably in the majority. This brand has typically flown well under the radar.
Indeed, even Tomatin’s ownership hasn’t appreciated what they’re capable of in the past. The 125-year-old distillery went bankrupt early in its life, and reopened in 1909. It was reportedly one of the largest malt makers back in the 1980s, before reduced output brought it to today’s production levels.
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This 36-year malt likely came from around those peak production years. Tomatin 36 has actually released a total of 11 batches of 36-year since 2015. It’s defined by a dual maturation—a combination of bourbon oak and oloroso sherry butts give it rich, sweet flavors of fruit and heather honey, while the time in wood develops chestnut and spice.
Depending on the batch, the internet suggests that you’ll pay between $800 and $3,000 for a bottle—somewhere in between is an acceptable price, but we’ll let you figure out your limits for yourself.
If you’re not currently willing to make the splurge, a number of other incredible Scotch, bourbon, and other world whiskeys also wowed judges this year—as did other spirits.
If you struggle to get your hands on these bottles for the next few months, don’t be surprised, and don’t be too disappointed. Final winners are typically selected from a number of finalists, and the winner isn’t always lengths ahead of the competition.