AND THE WINNER IS . . .

With regard to the 2O11 roster of The Spirit Journal Top Spirits in the World, a new number one spirit has been chosen from the ranks of 14O five-star rated distillates: George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Antique Collection 2O1O produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Said Pacult of the new number one spirit, “The selection of a cask-strength (71.5% ABV) whiskey from the American heartland may come as a shock to many spirits diehards who lean towards traditional European-style distillates. I understand that viewpoint but the time has come to recognize a new standard-bearer for innovation and unswerving overall quality, year after year. The experimental work being conducted by Mark Brown and his remarkable team at Buffalo Trace is expanding the horizons, not just of American distilling, but of global distilling at large. It is time to salute the fruits of those homegrown labors.”