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Since 2018, world-renowned spirits expert Fred Minnick has established himself as a tastemaker in the beverage industry, sharing his annual list of the year’s best American whiskeys. After tasting more than 600 American whiskeys this year, he recently blind-tasted his Top 100 for Club Marzipan and in the span of two hours, will taste and rank the finals on a livestream tonight (12.27) on all platforms including YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
Watch the Top 100 livestream tonight at 7PM EST, here:
youtube.com/live/iqMJui-MnCU?si=joH4rZme9iWnNnbK
“This was a great year for American Whiskey," says Minnick. "I am absolutely thrilled with the quality coming from big and small distillers around the country.”
Each contender was chosen with the following criteria:
- The whiskey caught the attention of Minnick this year. They must something to the American whiskey world that the expert finds fantastic and/or innovative.
- Blind Bourbon LIVE Winners: Any product that wins a Blind Bourbon LIVE is automatically entered into Minnick’s Top 100. Blind Bourbon LIVE is voted on by the attendees, not Minnick.
- ASCOT High Scores: Anything that received a high score from Minnick in the ASCOTs gets an entry.
- Club Marzipan and YouTube reviews pushed several into this year’s list.
- Club Marzipan fan-favorites.
- Punches above its weight: If there’s a $40 product that tastes better than most $200 bottles, it made the list.
- General tastings that Minnick enjoyed with friends this year.
This year’s contenders include expressions from leading brands like Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill, as well as craft/independent distilleries and celebrity brands.
Read more about the 2024 Top 100 American whiskeys unranked, here:
fredminnick.com/2024/12/24/2024-top-100-american-whiskeys-unranked
See the Top 100 American whiskeys ranked for 2023, here: fredminnick.com/2023/12/21/top-100-american-whiskeys-of-2023-ranked
Previous winners of the coveted top spot in the list include Buffalo Trace Prohibition: Old Stagg, William LaRue Weller (BTAC) and Russell’s 13 Year. This year, Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Brown-Forman and MGP all became contenders. Additionally, Minnick highlights industry changes including federal mandates on American single malts, new blenders including Dixon Dedman and Nancy Fraley that are dominating the palates of whiskey lovers, and high-end bottles like Knob Creek 18 Year and Remus Repeal 8 appearing on regular shelves instead of in glass cases.
A Wall Street Journal-bestselling author, Minnick shares his bourbon expertise by way of his award-winning series The Fred Minnick Show, which has recently featured guests including actor Glenn Howerton, comedian Andy Richter, Olympian Scott Hamilton, BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale and many others.
Minnick also recently announced his third-annual bourbon experience during Super Bowl week with Fred Minnick Live Presented by the New Orleans Bourbon Festival, happening February 7th at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District Hotel. The event will feature blind tastings, a silent auction and a live taping of The Fred Minnick Show, as well as guest celebrity appearances from award-winning country artist Dierks Bentley, singer-songwriter Dani Rose and many others.
Fans can purchase tickets to Fred Minnick Live Presented by the New Orleans Bourbon Festival, here: etix.com/ticket/p/78924264/fred-minnick-live-presented-by-the-new-orleans-bourbon-festival-new-orleans-new-orleans-marriott-warehouse-arts-district
ABOUT FRED MINNICK:
Minnick is a world-renowned spirits authority, veteran, entrepreneur, bestselling author and podcast host, known for his influential contributions in bringing the storied history and culture of bourbon to the mainstream. In 2021, he co-founded the American Spirits Council of Tasters and initiated the inaugural ASCOT Awards, celebrating the finest spirits globally. With his award-winning series, The Fred Minnick Show, Minnick adeptly merges bourbon culture with entertainment, featuring engaging tastings and interviews with a diverse array of guests. Notable episodes include conversations with athletes such as Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw and Charles Woodson, as well as musicians including Dierks Bentley, Jelly Roll, Mick Fleetwood and Lindsay Ell, and actors such as Cole Hauser, Ian Somerhalder and Graham McTavish.
A Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Minnick has penned several authoritative books on spirits, including Bourbon Curious, Bourbon, Rum Curious, and Whiskey Women. His expertise has been showcased on various media platforms, including the Today Show, Bravo, Top Chef, The History Channel, Moonshiners, CBS Mornings and more.
For more information on Minnick and The Fred Minnick Show, visit fredminnick.com.
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