Spring has sprung, and with it has come the results of four recent whiskey competitions in which Buffalo Trace Distillery fared splendidly.
The Distillery claimed two Chairman’s Trophies at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and won three double gold medals in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition along with several gold and silver medals. Buffalo Trace also received top awards at the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition and the Denver International Spirits Competition.
“We are thrilled and flattered to be consistently ranked so highly among such a broad range of prestigious competitions,” says master distiller Harlen Wheatley. “We take pride in these whiskeys and are honored by each of these awards.”
2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
Judges awarded Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye each the highest honor of “Chairman’s Trophy” at the 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Selected as Chairman’s Trophy finalists in their respective categories were Blanton’s, Stagg Jr, Weller 12 Year Old, E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, Sazerac Rye, and E.H. Taylor Straight Rye.
Those awarded as “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation” include:
- Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old
- Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye
- Blanton’s Single Barrel
- Stagg Jr.
- Weller 12 Year Old
- E. H. Taylor Single Barrel
Those awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” were:
- Sazerac Rye
- Buffalo Trace
- E. H. Taylor Barrel Proof
- E.H. Taylor Straight Rye
Awarded the distinction of “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” were:
- E.H. Taylor Small Batch
- Benchmark
Weller 12 Year Old, Sazerac Rye, Buffalo Trace and Benchmark were deemed to be “Great Values.” Receiving a designation as “Tried & True” were Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old, Thomas H. Handy, Blanton’s, Weller 12 year Old, Sazerac Rye, Buffalo Trace, and Benchmark. This competition, in its sixth year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators, and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
More than 1,580 entries were submitted for a blind tasting at the 15th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where 41 of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry, ultimately awarding Buffalo Trace Distillery three double gold medals, six gold medals, and one silver medal.
Double Gold
- Sazerac Rye
- Thomas Handy
- Stagg Jr.
Gold
- Buffalo Trace
- Eagle Rare
- Weller 12 Year Old
- William Larue Weller
- E.H. Taylor Small Batch
- Benchmark
