The Whiskey Brand That Shocked New York

Last month, the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition took place in Brooklyn, and the results have been slowly trickling in ever since. Whiskey enthusiasts were left astonished when they learned that 15 Stars, a relatively unknown craft producer from Kentucky, had beaten out bigger and more well-known brands to take home the award for Best Bourbon. But the surprises didn’t stop there. In a Forbes exclusive, it has now been revealed that 15 Stars has also won the award for Best Whiskey overall.

The specific whiskey that won the Best in Show title is 15 Stars First West Rye Whiskey (Batch #1). This six year old rye defeated scotches, bourbons, and Irish whiskies with more recognized names and age statements. It even triumphed over a quarter-century-old single malt from Ardbeg, a renowned whisky maker. What’s more impressive is that the competition was conducted blind, with the judges having no knowledge of the brands they were sampling. This makes 15 Stars’ victory even more remarkable.

The judging panel meticulously tasted thousands of liquids across all major categories over a three-day period. The top-rated expressions from each subcategory were then pitted against each other until only one winner remained. The final Battle Royale resulted in 15 Stars First West Rye Whiskey being crowned the champion. This rye is a blend of whiskies originally distilled in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, with an ABV of 52.5%.

The fact that a rye whiskey won the top prize is astonishing in itself. But what makes it even more noteworthy is that it was bottled by the same family-owned label responsible for the award-winning bourbon. This serves as a reminder that what truly matters is the quality and taste inside the bottle.

And the taste inside a bottle of 15 Stars First West Rye Whiskey is truly something to savor. It offers a complex interplay between sweetness and spice. The nose is rich in clove and citrus fruit, while the first sips reveal flavors of freshly-baked apple crumble, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The finish is a testament to the rye grain, accompanied by a subtle hint of butterscotch. All of this can be yours for $89 per bottle, though 15 Stars’ distribution is currently limited in the United States.

The success of 15 Stars has created a buzz in the whiskey world, but it has also made it difficult for fans to get their hands on a bottle. Shortly after the award announcement, the top-ranked bourbon from the same brand quickly disappeared from shelves. However, as they say, if it can make it in New York, it can make it anywhere. So let’s hope that you can find a bottle of 15 Stars somewhere, because this is a whiskey experience you won’t want to miss.