TL;DR
The 2025 Denver International Spirits Competition crowned all-American winners: Stranahan's Blue Peak Single Malt (1st), Sazerac 18 Year Rye (2nd), and Blue Note Bourbon Crossroads (3rd). The event highlights innovation in American whiskey through rigorous blind judging.
Celebrating the Best Whiskeys of 2025: Denver International Spirits Competition Winners Revealed
The results are in! The Denver International Spirits Competition 2025 has crowned its Best of Show whiskey winners—and this year, it’s an all-American sweep. Known for its rigorous judging process and international prestige, the competition shines a spotlight on standout spirits that exemplify excellence in distilling, aging, and flavor.
From bold ryes to smooth single malts and expertly finished bourbons, these are the whiskeys that rose above the rest in a fiercely competitive year.
What is the Denver International Spirits Competition?
Now in its 14th year, the Denver International Spirits Competition (DISC) is one of the most respected events in the world of fine spirits. Featuring over 125 categories and judged by an expert panel of certified spirits specialists, DISC uses a double-blind tasting process and a 100-point scoring system to ensure objectivity and precision.
All entries are evaluated using the NEAT Ultimate Spirits Evaluation Glass, which enhances the spirit’s aroma and tasting profile—giving every bottle a fair and thorough assessment.
Best of Show 1st Place: Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey
Distillery: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Denver, CO
ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
Price: From $40
Buy Now: Available here
Tasting Notes:
Dried apricot, nutmeg, cinnamon toast, creamy butterscotch, brown sugar, baked apples, cayenne, toasted oak, and light tobacco.
Why It Won:
Crafted at high altitude and finished using a Solera aging method, Stranahan’s Blue Peak captures the spirit of the Rockies in every sip. Founded in 2004, Stranahan’s is Colorado’s first legal post-Prohibition distillery, known for its innovation and use of local snowmelt in production. The result? A balanced, flavorful American single malt that’s approachable yet complex.
Keyword tip: “American Single Malt Whiskey,” “Stranahan’s Whiskey review”
Best of Show 2nd Place: Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY
ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
Price: From $1,300
Buy Now: Available here
Tasting Notes:
Oak, molasses, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla, mint, and pepper with a silky finish.
Why It Won:
A cornerstone of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye is a legendary expression of rye whiskey. Aged nearly two decades, it offers elegant spice and smoothness with historical depth—paying homage to the original Sazerac cocktail of New Orleans fame. It’s rare, refined, and a true collector’s bottle.
Keyword tip: “Sazerac 18 Year review,” “Buffalo Trace rare whiskeys”
Best of Show 3rd Place: Blue Note Bourbon Crossroads
Distillery: B.R. Distilling Co., Memphis, TN
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Price: From $40
Buy Now: Available here
Tasting Notes:
Toasted almond, Manuka honey, roasted marshmallow, baking spice, vanilla.
Why It Won:
Blue Note Crossroads brings Memphis soul to your glass. Distilled from a high-rye mash bill and finished with toasted French oak staves, this unfiltered bourbon is both powerful and smooth. B.R. Distilling, operating just north of downtown Memphis, has made serious waves in the bourbon world since 2018, and Crossroads showcases what craft bourbon is all about.
Keyword tip: “Blue Note Bourbon review,” “toasted oak bourbon”
What These Wins Say About American Whiskey in 2025
It’s no coincidence that all three ‘Best of Show’ winners are American whiskeys. The U.S. continues to lead innovation in whiskey, from solera-aged single malts to high-proof, craft-finished bourbons. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just getting into whiskey, these award-winning bottles are worth exploring.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Denver International Spirits Competition?
It's a prestigious, 14-year-old spirits competition using a double-blind tasting process and a 100-point scoring system to judge over 125 categories of spirits.Which whiskey won first place in 2025?
Stranahan's Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey, a Colorado-made American single malt finished using a Solera aging method, won Best of Show 1st Place.Why were all the winners American whiskeys?
The article suggests the U.S. is leading whiskey innovation, with winners showcasing techniques like solera aging and toasted oak finishing in craft bourbon and single malts.How much is the Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye?
The Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye, which won second place, has a listed price starting from $1,300, making it a rare and collectible bottle.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat won Best of Show at the 2025 Denver Spirits Competition?
Stranahan's Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey won first place, followed by Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye in second, and Blue Note Bourbon Crossroads in third.How is the Denver International Spirits Competition judged?
It uses a double-blind tasting process with a 100-point system, judged by certified specialists using NEAT glasses for fair aroma and flavor evaluation.Why were all the winners American whiskeys?
The competition highlighted U.S. leadership in whiskey innovation, from solera-aged single malts to craft-finished bourbons, showcasing excellence across categories.Where can I buy the winning whiskeys?
Stranahan's Blue Peak and Blue Note Crossroads start around $40, while Sazerac 18 Year Rye is a rare bottle priced from $1,300.