The London Spirits Competition declared Root Shoot American Single Malt as the top whiskey of 2026, scoring an impressive 97 points. This 4-year aged, $42 whiskey from Loveland, Colorado, surprisingly outperformed renowned competitors from traditional whiskey-producing regions, including Scotland, Bourbon, and Irish whiskey.

The London Spirits Competition, known for evaluating spirits based on quality, value, and marketability, judged Root Shoot on its impressive nuances and market potential, which contributed significantly to elevating the standing of American Single Malt whiskey internationally. This category has only recently gained formal recognition in the U.S. as of 2025.

Root Shoot American Single Malt is characterized by its rich, semi-sweet flavor profile, described by tasters as featuring flavors of buckwheat honey, spiced pear, granola, and cacao nibs, finishing with hints of clove and cardamom. This complexity is attributed to the distillery’s close connection to its ingredients, as it sources its grains from a family farm just miles away from its production site, ensuring a high degree of control over flavor quality.

This recognition of Root Shoot Spirits not only showcases its craftsmanship but serves as a reminder for whiskey enthusiasts to explore and enjoy this relatively new yet exceptional addition to the American whiskey landscape before it becomes less accessible.