Like it or not, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is widely considered to be the most influential ranking of whisky in the world. Each year when Jim Murray announces his ‘Whisky of the Year’ that whisky goes on to see an unfathomable skyrocket in sales.
Last year, Jim Murray’s announcement of his ‘Whisky of the Year’ was widely controversial and made headlines all over because it was the first time in history that a Canadian whisky had taken home the coveted award (the Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye). Well, the 2017 ‘World Whisky of the Year’ has been announced and it’s once again a Rye, specifically the Booker’s Rye aged 13 years that retails for $300/bottle…(You can buy Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017 on Amazon for just $19.95 right now)…
The announcement went out this morning in the form of a press release (via MarketWired):
Booker’s® Rye Whiskey Named “World Whisky of the Year” by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017
Best-in-Class Accolade Adds to Recent Industry Praise for Beam Suntory’s Whiskies; Including Jim Beam Black® Bourbon, Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey and Yamazaki® Sherry Cask 2016
DEERFIELD, IL–(Marketwired – Oct 17, 2016) – Two years after naming Yamazaki® Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 the “World Whisky of the Year,” Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible anointed Booker’s® Rye Whiskey the “World Whisky of the Year” for 2017. Booker’s® Rye, the first-ever rye whiskey released by the ultra-premium Booker’s® Bourbon brand, joins other Beam Suntory Whiskies to earn top honors at recent industry competitions, including Jim Beam Black® Bourbon, Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey and Yamazaki® Sherry Cask 2016.
“It is a high honor to be named the world’s best by Jim Murray and his authoritative Whisky Bible, and I could not be more thrilled for Master Distiller Fred Noe and his family,” said Matt Shattock, Chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory. “For Fred to achieve this honor for the brand began by his father, Booker Noe, it warms the heart of everyone at our company and reflects the utmost care and craftsmanship that goes into our American whiskies each and every day.”
After being tasted alongside 1,240 other new whiskies in this year’s judging, Booker’s Rye is described in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible as “simply a staggering example of a magnificent rye showing exactly what genius in terms of whiskey actually means.” Booker’s Rye features a never-before-released rye mash bill, aged for just over 13 years and bottled uncut and unfiltered1, true to Booker’s® Bourbon standards. Released in extremely limited quantities earlier this year, it is made from some of the last rye barrels laid down by Booker Noe and marks one of his greatest and final experiments to date.
“On behalf of my dad, Booker Noe, I could not be more proud to see Booker’s Rye named ‘World Whisky of the Year,’ said Fred Noe, Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “Dad was more than just a distiller. He was a big thinker and a man who loved to experiment — and Booker’s Rye is a true celebration of that. Together with my son, Freddie Noe, I’m excited to carry on this legacy of innovation — and our family’s 220-year tradition of crafting the highest quality bourbon and whiskey — for years to come. Let’s just say we have some exciting things ahead.”
Joining Booker’s Rye with a best-in-class ranking this year is Yamazaki® Single Malt Sherry Cask 2016 — a follow-up to the 2013 edition that won Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible’s “World Whisky of the Year” in 2015. In the 2017 Whisky Bible, Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016 swept both Japanese Whisky categories, earning “Japanese Whisky of the Year” and “Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Barrels).”
I love this news. I’ve been a huge fan of Booker’s for years now and currently have several bottles throughout my liquor cabinet. I’ve featured Booker’s Bourbon many, many times here on BroBible throughout the years so I feel personally validated by the 13-year Booker’s Rye being named as the 2017 World Whisky of the Year.
Of course, the main reason that this award is announced each year is so that Jim Murray can sell books, and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible continues to be the best-selling book in booze every single year as it’s also believed to be the best booze recommendation book around. So if you’re interested in picking up your own copy of Jim Murray’s 2017 Whisky Bible you can CLICK HERE to buy that on Amazon for $19.95!
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