For those who might not know, annually there are several award competitions for bourbon, whisk(e)y, and scotch around the world. Some of these highlighted competitions include The Ascot Awards, The North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, The International Whisky Competition, and The World Spirits Competition. One of the competitions that I like to follow closely just recently released its full results for best-of-class finalists, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)!

For a little background and from The Tasting Alliance website: Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the oldest and largest competition of its kind. Medal winners range from some of the most renowned international distillers to small-batch producers that the competition has helped put on the map. The SFWSC medal is a testament to their hard work and universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. In 2022, the competition cemented its position as the largest spirits competition in the world with nearly 5,000 entries, led by Executive Director Anthony Dias Blue and Head Judge Jeffrey Morgenthaler.

Although many do not believe in these competitions or the awards they give, I find them to be a great resource for finding new bourbons, whisk(e)y, and scotch I might not otherwise know. These professional tasters deserve credit for the awards they give, but please keep in mind that your palate may be different and thus you might not like some of these award winners. Nonetheless, do not be afraid to branch outside your comfort zone and use the below list to try bourbons and whiskies you might not have otherwise given the time of day.

With that said, below is a list of SFWSC Colorado bourbon and whiskey winners. As I have mentioned in previous posts, like many, I often become enamored by those big-name brands and forgot those distilleries doing phenomenal things right in my backyard. Thus, trying to stay true to my new year’s resolution, I intend on exploring, introducing myself to, reviewing, and giving credit where credit is due, to many of these Colorado Distilleries below.

Colorado Double Gold Winners

• Branch & Barrel Distilling Flagship Bourbon
• Boulder Spirits Bottled in Bond Bourbon
• Boulder Spirits Bottled in Bond Single Malt Whiskey
• Breckenridge PX Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey
• Laws Whiskey Bonded Four Grain
• Laws Whiskey Centennial Wheat Whiskey
• Laws Whiskey San Luis Valley Rye Whiskey
• Old Elk Double Wheat Whiskey
• Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey

Colorado Gold Winners

• 291 Bad Guy Colorado Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Aspen Staves
• Breckenridge Port Cask Finish Whiskey
• Colorado Mountain Bourbon
• First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon
• Hogback Wallace Collection Malt Whisky
• Laws Whiskey Henry Road Single Malt Whiskey
• Locke + Co. Distilling Aspen Aged Rye Whiskey
• Old Elk Infinity Blend Whiskey
• Stranahan’s Original Single Malt Whiskey
• Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Single Malt Whiskey
• Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey
• Stranahan’s Diamond Peak 8 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey
• Talnua Distillery Olde Saint’s Keep 2022 Special Release Whiskey

Colorado Silver Winners

• 10th Mountain Bourbon
• 10th Mountain Rye Whiskey
• 291 Small Batch Colorado Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Aspen Staves
• 291 Small Batch Colorado Rye Whiskey Finished with Aspen Staves
• 291 Single Barrel Barrel Proof Colorado Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Aspen Staves
• Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey
• Breckenridge Single Barrel Bourbon
• Breckenridge Rum Cask Finish Bourbon
• Colorado Mountain Incline Rye Whiskey
• Elevation 5003 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Laws Whiskey Cognac Finished Four Grain Bourbon
• Leopold Bros. Three Chamber Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
• The Heart Distillery Cask Strength Bourbon
• Talnua Distillery Virgin White Oak Cask Whiskey

If you are interested in browsing the rankings of other bourbons, whisk(e)y, scotch, or spirits from around the world, please visit the official Tasting Alliance website HERE. However, if you are anything like me, reader please be aware, as you might get lost in the vast pages of rankings that will eventually take you down another rabbit hole leading to researching new bourbons, whisk(e)y, and scotch to try next!

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman