American Single Malt Whiskey Best of Class finalists at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Katelyn Tucker
The Tasting Alliance has released the first batch of Best of Class American whiskey finalists from the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
The categories announced include Rye Whisk(e)y, Best New Rye Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, American Blended Whiskey and American Single Malt Whiskey. All finalists received a Double Gold Medal in this year’s competition, with scores ranging from 97 to 99 points out of 100.
About The Competition
Each year, professionals from all facets of the spirits industry converge for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a globally recognized spirits competition event. The competition judges and scores products from across the spectrum of distilled spirits, including vodka, gin, rum, tequila, mezcal, whiskey, brandy, liqueurs and aperitifs, among others.
The core judging format is a blind tasting. Judges have no information about the bottle, branding, packaging or price of the products they are judging. They evaluate the liquid in the glass using sensory and technical criteria, including aroma, flavor, balance, texture, finish and overall quality.
The following products are finalists for Best of Class in their respective categories, along with competition-supplied tasting notes. The winners of each category award will be announced at the Top Shelf 2026 Awards Gala in November.
Rye Whisky Finalists at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Katelyn TuckerBest of Class FinalistsRye Whisk(e)y
Rye whiskey is made from a fermented mash of at least 51% rye, distilled to no more than 160 proof, entered into new charred oak barrels at no more than 125 proof and bottled at no less than 80 proof. If labeled straight rye whiskey, it must be aged for at least two years and may not contain coloring, flavoring or blending materials.
Brand: Baltimore Spirits Company
Product: Epoch Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey 6 Year Old Cask Strength
Tasting notes: A bold, expressive rye with a big oak and wood-forward nose layered with classic rye character and fresh notes. The palate delivers tons of flavor — grippy, lively, with a bright, lingering mint finish that just keeps going. A serious rye with staying power.
Brand: O.K.I.
Product: Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Tasting notes: Big and unapologetic — oak and clove lead the way with a sweet rye spice backbone that commands attention. Bold from start to finish.
Brand: WhistlePig
Product: The Boss Hog Collection – Boss XII Feather & Flame Rye Whiskey
Tasting notes: Warm and intriguing on the nose, with brown butter and sage carrying a subtle whisper of chili powder. Savory, distinctive and unlike anything else in the lineup.
Brand: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Product: Old Overholt 12 Year Old Extra Aged Cask Strength
Tasting notes: An oak-forward rye with gingerbread, black pepper, juicy stone fruit, peach and cherry, woven through a buttery, nutty palate. Finishes with dusty cinnamon and caramel warmth. A lot going on for the patient sipper.
Brand: Art of the Spirits
Product: Mogadishu Hazmat Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
Tasting notes: Spiced tea and licorice on the nose open into a savory, layered palate of baked apple, cinnamon, clove,and allspice. For the proof, this drinks with remarkable balance and composure. Spiced but never hot, with a long, complex finish. This one’s something special.
Brand: Kings County Distillery
Product: Barrel Strength Straight Empire Rye Whiskey
Tasting notes: Black tea and sweetened condensed milk meet rye spice in a profile that’s elegant, integrated and surprisingly refined. Sweet toffee and Thai milk tea notes carry into a spicy cinnamon finish with exceptional mouthfeel. Balanced and poised at every turn.
Best New Rye Whiskey
Brand: Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
Product: Rye 1 Whisky
Tasting notes: Bright and expressive — ripe peach, banana, dill grasses over vanilla and toasted nuts. The palate brings hot rye spice, butterscotch and a soft marshmallow sweetness that balances beautifully. Long, drying finish with oak, caraway and lingering warmth.
Tennessee Whiskey Best of Class finalists at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Katelyn TuckerTennessee Whiskey
Tennessee whiskey is made in Tennessee from a grain mixture of at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 160 proof, filtered through maple charcoal before aging, aged in new charred oak barrels in Tennessee, entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof and bottled at no less than 80 proof. The maple-charcoal filtration requirement is the technical step that separates Tennessee whiskey from standard bourbon-style production.
Brand: Uncle Nearest
Product: 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Tasting notes: Sweet and bold from the start — cinnamon sugar and spiced caramel lead into charred marshmallow on the palate. Finishes long and warm with a lingering cinnamon heat.
Brand: Jack Daniel’s
Product: Batch 2 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
Tasting notes: Burnt caramel, cacao and a savory, bready depth open into a fruity, candied, spicy palate. The finish is stunningly beautiful with charcoal and baked banana with just a whisper of smoke. Stunning.
Brand: Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Product: Bottled-In-Bond Tennessee Whiskey
Tasting notes: Maple pancake syrup, maple candy, peach and blackberry. The palate brings a round, peppery kick of black pepper and cayenne that builds through a leathery finish. Sweet meets heat, and it works.
American Whiskey Best of Class finalists at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Katelyn TuckerAmerican Blended Whiskey
American blended whiskey is a composition-based category. These products are often blends of other whiskey styles and are not defined by a single mash bill, state-specific process or production at a single distillery.
Brand: High Bank Distillery
Product: Whiskey War Double Double Oaked American Blended Whiskey
Tasting notes: Playful bubblegum on the nose gives way to honey and warm baking spices. Short finish and lighter complexity than you would expect from the nose, but easy-drinking and approachable.
Brand: High Bank Distillery
Product: Whiskey War American Blended Whiskey
Tasting notes: Gentle honey and allspice with a composed, bright character that hides the heat beautifully. Effortless.
American Single Malt Whiskey Best of Class finalists at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Katelyn TuckerAmerican Single Malt Whiskey
American single malt whiskey is made in the United States from 100% malted barley, mashed, distilled and aged in the U.S., distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery, distilled to no more than 160 proof, aged in oak barrels no larger than 700 liters and bottled at no less than 80 proof. Unlike bourbon or rye, American single malt can be aged in used, uncharred new or charred new oak barrels.
Brand: Dark Arts Whiskey House
Product: American Single Malt Whiskey
Tasting notes: Warm and indulgent — butterscotch and baked raisins with a dark, molasses-like black sugar depth. Rich and satisfying.
Brand: Lost Woods
Product: 110 American Single Malt Whiskey
Tasting notes: Dates, clove, tart cherry and baked Alaska. Layered, decadent and just a little unexpected. A showstopper.
Brand: Stranahan’s
Product: Original American Single Malt Whiskey
Tasting notes: A clean, rustic nose with barn character and bold black tea. Brown sugar sweetness rounds out the palate with a grounded, no-fuss finish.
Brand: Stranahan’s
Product: Mountain Angel 12 Year Old American Single Malt Whiskey
Tasting notes: Smoking tobacco and dark fruit sets the tone, with raspberries adding brightness to the palate. Nutty and complex through a long, toffee-laced finish.
Brand: The Notch Nantucket Single Malt Whisky
Product: 15 Year Old
Tasting notes: Bright and lively. Fresh woods, fruity character and sprightly spice that keeps things moving. Rich vanilla and dried fruit carry a long, dry finish with just the right complexity.