The fourth annual London Spirits Competition, which took place in London on March 17, 2021, included spirits from all over the world. The whiskey brands below were evaluated by the top bartenders and bar owners in the same way that they will be viewed by a customer, whether they are purchasing a brand in a store or ordering one at a bar. Our judges have given each whiskey here the seal of approval for offering excellent quality. These brands offer superior quality, attractive packaging, and the best value for money.

Here are some of the best bottles to fill up your glass with.

1. Dingle Distillery Fourth Single Pot Still Release 

94 points

Awarded as Whiskey of the Year, Best in Show by Country (Ireland), Dingle Distillery Fourth Single Pot Still Release whiskey by Dingle Distillery also scooped a gold medal with a remarkable score of 94 points. This is a full-flavoured, but harmoniously balanced blend of American oak's smooth vanilla sweetness and fortified wine casks' dried fruit flavours of apricot and sultanas.

Tasting notes: Smooth and elegant in the nose with a little hint of mature berries, pleasant in the mouth with a long and complex lasting end.

2. Enso Japanese Blended Whisky  

93 points

Hailing from Kiyokawa, within the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan - ENSŌ Japanese Blended Whisky by ENSŌ Whisky was crowned with a Gold Medal and Best in Show By Country (Japan) awards scoring a total of 93 points. ENSŌ was the first release from the ENSŌ Japanese whisky range. Enso is a handcrafted blend of pot still whiskies that sparkles with a touch of caramel and vanilla while still delivering fruity and floral notes. It is well balanced to be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or in cocktails and other long drinks.

Tasting notes: This is a great expression, really well balanced, rich and smooth and silky. Beautiful honey notes with hints of melon and brioche on the palate with hints of prunes on the finish.

3. Legent 

93 points

Taking out the trophy of Best In Show by Country (United States) and a Gold medal, Legent whiskey by Beam Suntory is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey partially finished in wine and sherry casks. Sherry casks tend to impart more spice, raisin, and dried fruit flavours, whereas French oak red wine casks impart milder, fruitier flavours. The typical wood, caramel, and vanilla flavours, as well as dark colours, are imparted by the standard bourbon barrel finish. It's the product of a masterful collaboration between two whiskey legends – Fred Noe and Shinji Fukuyo – as well as two distinct whiskey-making types.

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Tasting notes: A rich combination of flavours of chocolate, caramel and vanilla on the nose. Smooth mouthfeel with notes of white pepper, dark chocolate and pepper. The finish is warm thanks to the distinctive nutmeg. Fantastic!

4. Dingle Single Malt Whiskey Batch No. 5  

92 points

Ireland’s very own Dingle Single Malt Whiskey Batch No. 5 curated by Dingle Distillery has been awarded a gold medal with a total score of 92 points. The whiskey is an intriguing whiskey in which the individual casks shine through at various levels. It is a blend of malt whiskey aged in ex-Bourbon, PX, and Madeira barrels. Aroma and spice come from the whiskey, while mouthfeel and taste come from the PX and Madeira casks.

Tasting notes: On the nose is intense, nutty with some orange zest, caramel, vanilla, figs, and hash. On the palate rich and mouth-filling, walnut and figs with vanilla and salted caramel, some white and black pepper. Medium length.

5. Glyph Spice

91 points

With flavours of cinnamon bark, raspberry, oak spice, toffee, caramel undertones, and banana aromas, Glyph Spice curated by Endless West acquired a gold medal with 91 points. Glyph Spice is a medium-bodied spirit inspired by American bourbon. It's light and refreshing, with an earthy, savoury finish that's ideal for nights spent around the fire pit.

Tasting notes: Light tropical notes of mango and papaya, laced with vanilla and butterscotch. Maple syrup with a hint of ground black pepper spice.

6. DG Straight Rye Whiskey - Single Barrel

91 points

Driftless Glen Distillery once again has snatched a gold medal for its DG Straight Rye Whiskey - Single Barrel with a smashing score of 91 points. The whiskey is crafted using local ingredients from the Midwest and has a deep amber shade, a great blend of rye, spice, and cinnamon, and a touch of oak on the finish.

Tasting notes: Bags of winter spice on the nose. Ginger, nutmeg, and charred oak on the palate with soft honey and sweet vanilla on the finish. Well-balanced with a long finish.

7. Gold Cock Single Malt 20yo

90 points

Original Czech whiskey from Rudolf Jelinek a.s., Gold Cock Single Malt 20yo aged in oak barrels made of Czech wood swept off a gold medal with 90 points. Since this number corresponds to the degree of parallel that intersects RUDOLF JELNEK's headquarters, GoldCock Single Malt 20yo was twisted in a symbolic intensity of 49.2 per cent.

Tasting notes: A fruity aroma with light vanilla and cinnamon. Incredibly smooth with notes of toast and spice coming through alongside the tannins. Closes with an elegant, smooth finish.

8. Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Straight Rye Whiskey

90 points

Distilled with aged in a barrel for four short years Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Straight Rye Whiskey produced by Sagamore Spirit snatched a gold medal with 90 points. With aromas full of caramel and dark vanilla and colours that radiate amber and warm chestnut, the whiskey is perfect for the spirit of celebration.  

Tasting notes:  A fruity aroma with light vanilla and cinnamon. Incredibly smooth with notes of toast and spice coming through alongside the tannins. Closes with an elegant, smooth finish.

9. Devil's Share American Whiskey

90 points

The next one on the list is a gold medalist Devil's Share American Whiskey produced by Cutwater Spirits awarded with 90 points. Aged in 53-gallon American oak barrels, the whiskey is rich in woody caramel and vanilla notes backed by hints of cinnamon, cardamom, and liquorice.

Tasting notes: Caramel notes, sweet caramelized wood, and hints of vanilla on the nose. The palate feels slightly sweet but fresh, with notes of light caramel, vanilla, white oak, white pepper, and apricot jam.

10. Cutwater American Rye

90 points

Proudly distilled in San Diego, Cutwater Spirits’s Cutwater American Rye was awarded a gold medal with 90 points. The whiskey is a blend of straight whiskeys with notes of honey, almond, black pepper, and a hint of clove. This easy-to-drink rye was carefully designed by some of their favourite whiskey distillers. 

Tasting notes: Clove and Cinnamon on the nose. Honey and dry sherry notes on the palate with raisins, hazelnut, and almond. Closes on a sandalwood finish.