Each year, the American Distilling Institute (ADI) hosts the International Spirits Competition, which showcases the best in craft spirits from American and international distilleries. In 2025, the competition honored several whiskeys, with notable winners in various categories.

America’s Best Whiskey

Talnua Bourbon Cask & Stave Series Whiskey was chosen as the best whiskey. Located in Arvada, Colorado, Talnua is the first distillery in the U.S. that exclusively focuses on single pot still whiskey. This distillery was founded in 2017 by Patrick and Meagan Miller, who were inspired by their experiences in Ireland. The whiskey is produced using a mix of malted and unmalted barley, and it is aged for a minimum of three years in ex-bourbon casks.

The tasting notes reveal a nose filled with fresh marshmallows, charred oak, cereal, caramel, and a sweet hint reminiscent of bubble gum. On the palate, it delivers understated flavors of cooked grain, marshmallow, and caramel, culminating in a medium-length finish marked by seasoned oak and subtle vanilla.

Best Barrel Strength Whiskey

Knobel Spirits, Tennessee Whiskey took home the award for best barrel strength whiskey. This whiskey is meticulously crafted using the Lincoln County Process, in which the spirit is filtered through maple wood charcoal before undergoing aging in charred American oak barrels. The result is an exceptionally sweet and rich nose, showcasing caramel and orange zest, while the palate offers delightful notes of baked apple and sweet spices.

Best of Category Winners: American Single Malt Whiskey

Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10-Year-Old was recognized in this category. Stranahan’s, based in Colorado, has made a name for itself as a pioneer in American single malt whiskey. Its Mountain Angel expression features a mash bill of 100% malted barley and is aged in new American oak barrels. It boasts a complex nose of fruit liqueurs and pipe smoke, leading to a rich palate filled with brown sugar and maple flavors, finishing with savory notes of dried fruit.

Additional Best of Category Winners

Other notable distillers included Bird Creek Distillery with their Cask Strength Baronesse, which uses a rare heirloom barley to provide a creamy, sweet profile, and Proof and Wood’s Seasons 2024 Extraordinary, which blends aged spirits from Canada and the U.S. for a balanced taste experience.

The significance of the ADI International Spirits Competition lies in its commitment to highlighting lesser-known brands that often craft exceptional spirits. Many of these whiskeys may not yet be widely available but represent the future stars of American whiskey.