The World’s Best Whiskey—According To The 2023 New York World Wine And Spirits Competition

The New York World Wine and Spirits Competition held its annual judging in Brooklyn last month and its organizers have been slowly pouring out the results ever since. A few weeks back, whiskey lovers were shocked to learn that 15 Stars—a relatively obscure craft producer out of Kentucky—had beaten out far bigger brands from the Bluegrass State, and beyond, to take home the prize for Best Bourbon.

Now we can report some even more shocking news, in a Forbes exclusive: The very same producer has won for Best Whiskey, overall. More specifically, 15 Stars First West Rye Whiskey (Batch #1) is the Best in Show Whiskey; top of the list, king of the hill, A-number-1. You’re surely wondering what this liquid actually tastes like in order to achieve such a distinction. We will reveal that in exhaustive detail below. But first it’s worth mentioning just how unlikely the achievement is.