forbes.com
American Bourbon Wins Top Prize at The Whisky Exchange's Annual Blind Taste Test
The Whisky Exchange's 2025 blind taste test, judged by consumers at its annual Whisky Show, saw New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon win first place over several Scotch and Irish competitors, highlighting the rising global popularity of American whiskey.
- What is the significance of an American whiskey winning a blind taste test judged by consumers at a major UK-based retailer?
- In a blind taste test conducted by The Whisky Exchange, New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon won first place, beating out several Scotch and Irish whiskies. This Kentucky bourbon, priced at $42, is made from non-GMO grains and bottled without chill filtration. The win highlights the growing popularity and high quality of American whiskeys.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this result for the global whiskey market, considering the increasing popularity of American whiskeys?
- The success of New Riff and Copperworks Distilling (winner of the New Wave award) signals a potential long-term trend of increased American whiskey influence in the global market. This could lead to greater competition and innovation within the whiskey industry, potentially impacting consumer choices and pricing.
- How did the judging process for The Whisky Exchange's award differ from typical whiskey competitions, and what factors may have contributed to New Riff's victory?
- The competition, judged by consumers at The Whisky Exchange's annual Whisky Show, underscores a shift in preference towards American whiskeys. New Riff's win against established Scotch and Irish brands signifies a rising global appreciation for American bourbon's unique flavor profile and quality. The result challenges traditional perceptions of whiskey dominance.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction immediately highlight the American whiskey's victory, setting a positive frame around the American product. The article's structure prioritizes details about the winning whiskeys and their characteristics, potentially overshadowing the other participants. The quote from Dawn Davies further reinforces this positive framing of American whiskey.
Language Bias
The article uses positive and evocative language to describe the winning American whiskeys ('brilliant blast', 'protracted finish', 'downright drinkability'). While descriptive, this enthusiastic tone could be perceived as biased, potentially overshadowing a more neutral presentation of the results. For example, instead of 'brilliant blast', a more neutral alternative could be 'strong aroma'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the winning American whiskeys, but provides limited detail on the other whiskies in the competition. While mentioning some competitors (Glenglassaugh Portsoy, Glen Scotia Victoriana, etc.), it doesn't delve into their characteristics or why they might have been less favored. This omission could leave the reader with an incomplete picture of the competition's diversity and potentially undervalue the merits of other whiskies.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a subtle false dichotomy by contrasting American whiskey with Scotch, implying a competition between the two and neglecting other types of whiskey. While highlighting the American victory, it could benefit from a more balanced view of the global whiskey landscape.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the success of American whiskey producers, such as New Riff and Copperworks Distilling, in a global market. This success contributes to economic growth in the US, creating jobs and boosting the American spirits industry. The win for New Riff, a Kentucky bourbon, over competitors from Scotland and Ireland, demonstrates the competitiveness of American products on the international stage and promotes economic development within the US.