The World’s Best Blended Scotch Whiskey According to the New York World Spirits Competition

Three blended Scotch whiskeys have made it to the final round of the World’s Best Blended Scotch Whiskey of the New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC). NYWSC is a prestigious event in the spirits industry known for its rigorous judging process and high standards. The finalists included a variety of manufacturers, from an established brand to an emerging craft manufacturer and a new start-up. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the World’s Best Blended Scotch Whiskey finalists.

Sassenach, Blended Scotch Whiskey, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

The World’s Best Blended Scotch Whiskey sassenachA premium whiskey created by Scottish actor Sam Heughan, known for his role as Jamie Fraser in the television series “Outlander”. Launched in 2020, the whiskey is inspired by the picturesque Highland landscapes and history of Scotland. It is produced at the Loch Lomond Distillery. The brand is known for its commitment to quality and unique approach to whiskey making.

The blend consists of carefully selected single malts aged between 9 and 20 years, and organic, single-grain whiskey matured in 21-year-old bourbon barrels. The final product is finished in Madeira barrels, adding richness and layered, subtle complexity to the flavor profile.

The whiskey has a rich, golden hue, not unlike the color of many of the gold medals it has won. The nose features a combination of stone and tropical fruits, particularly pineapple, peach and coconut, with hints of citrus, caramel and cinnamon spice.

It is smooth and creamy on the palate, with a mouth-coating texture and distinctive weight. It contains honey, Crème Brulé, mixed nut flavors and a touch of various wood spices.

The finish is smooth and sweet, with persistent fruit and spice notes.

The NYWSC Jury Panel described the whiskey as having the following characteristics:

Notes of honey, caramel and spice with citrus, spice and a light touch of vanilla are balanced with a hint of fruit and a refreshing finish.

D’YAVOL, Starter Blended Malt Scotch, 47.1% ABV, 750 ml.

D’YAVOLThe luxury spirits brand, founded by Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, along with Bunty Singh and Leti Blagoeva, was named Best in Class Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey and was also named Best Overall Scotch. The brand aims to “deliver premium beverages that appeal to discerning consumers by blending originality and craftsmanship with a modern, exceptional design.”

INCEPTION is a blended malt Scotch whiskey meticulously crafted from eight single malts sourced from the Speyside, Highland, Lowland and Island regions of Scotland. Grain whiskey is not included in the mix. Half of the malt whiskeys are matured in first-fill Tawny Port and Madeira barrels, contributing to the complex flavor profile of the whisky. D’YAVOL INCEPTION is filtered without refrigeration, preserving its natural character and depth.

The whiskey has a deep golden yellow hue reflecting the influence of Tawny Port and the Madeira barrels used in maturation.

The nose offers a complex array of cool peat smoke, floral aromas, sweet honey notes and aromas of dried fruit, caramel and vanilla.

It is smooth and viscous on the palate and has a noticeable mouth weight. It exhibits a range of complex flavors that include hints of cooked cereal/malt, dark chocolate, and spice, balanced by a lingering, lingering smokiness.

The finish is long, sweet and complex, with lingering sweet dried fruit notes and a hint of peat smoke.

The NYWSC Jury Panel declared that D’YAVOL START demonstrated:

Dark chocolate, dried fruit and oak spice, light smoked wood tones, followed by toffee, ripe plums, spicy vanilla notes, a slight smokiness, an earthy sweetness and a touch of spice.

Singleton, Garden of Abundance Deep Forest Riches Blended Malt Scotch, 44.8% ABV, 750 ml. The other finalist for Best Blended Scotch Whiskey.

singleton is an iconic single malt Scotch whiskey brand produced by Diageo, the world’s largest Scotch whiskey producer. Founded in 1895, The Singleton encompasses three distilleries: Dufftown, Glen Ord and Glendullan, each of which brings unique regional characteristics to its portfolio of brands.

Initially, these distilleries catered to different markets: Glen Ord for Asia, Glendullan for the USA, and Dufftown for Europe. Over time, The Singleton has expanded its reach, offering a wide variety of expressions around the world. Glendullan distillery produces the Garden of Abundance expression.

Singleton introduced the Gardens of Abundance collection in 2024, a series inspired by nature’s generosity. There are four different expressions in this collection: Sparkling Spring Garden, Golden Autumn Garden, Exotic Spice GroveAnd Deep Forest Riches. His Available only in travel stores. Each variant showcases unique barrel maturations and flavor profiles that reflect the brand’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.

Featured in Singleton’s Gardens of Abundance collection, Deep Forest Riches is renowned for its complex ripening process and rich flavor profile. This expression undergoes a four-barrel maturation, starting in European oak and finishing with a combination of ex-Marsala wine, ex-Palo Cortado Sherry and ex-Pedro Ximénez Sherry barrels. The resulting whiskey offers a complex and layered tasting experience that will appeal to any whiskey enthusiast.

The whiskey has a dark amber color that reflects the influence of various barrels in maturation. The nose exhibits aromas of dried fruits, especially raisins and dates, dark chocolate, sweet honey, and a slight hint of wood spice.

On the palate, there is a sweet, smooth and satiny taste, pronounced mouth weight and an oily, viscous texture. The fig jam exhibits the distinct influence of various fortified wine barrels, featuring notes of dates, raisins and prunes, as well as spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

The finish is long and sweet, with lingering dark, dried fruit notes and a slight spiciness.

The NYWSC Jury Panel described the whiskey as follows;

It has an incredibly complex assortment of dark dried honey fruits, vanilla, earthy undertones and spice notes.

The 2024 New York World Spirits Competition featured many blended whiskeys, including two incredibly complex and layered whiskeys little known in the United States. While the Singleton Gardens of Abundance collection is available exclusively at Travel Retail, D’YAVOL INCEPTION is now available at retailers in the US. Both are outstanding whiskeys and worth seeking out. Sassenach Blended Scotch Whiskey is much better known and readily available at retail, but is no less extraordinary. It also belongs in every home whiskey collection.

See New York World Spirits Competition Website for the full list of Scotch whiskey medal winners.

Cheers