The World’s Best Single Malt Whisky—According To The 2024 World Whiskies Awards

The English Distillery Sherry Cask Matured has caused a stir in the industry by clinching the top prize at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards.

While the World Whiskies Awards recently unveiled winners in various esteemed categories, the most anticipated title remains the World’s Best Single Malt. This year, the judges turned heads by selecting an expression from England, igniting curiosity about The English Distillery Sherry Cask Matured.

Despite its straightforward name, this whisky is anything but ordinary. It offers a palate-enchanting blend of marzipan and dark chocolate-coated dates, with a lingering finish boasting sweet honey and robust ginger spice. Bottled at 92 proof and non-chill-filtered, its auburn hue adds to its allure.

 

It’s no wonder that this elegance caught the attention of the 200 expert panellists at the WWA. Interestingly, this marks the second time in three years that an English whisky has clinched this prestigious award, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions about the evolving landscape of English whisky production.

While some skeptics suggest that such outcomes are orchestrated to generate international buzz, others believe there is genuine innovation happening in English whisky. Despite Scotland’s long-standing whisky-making heritage, emerging producers from non-traditional regions are making waves on the global stage.

 

However, England has made significant strides in the 21st century. The English Distillery played a pioneering role in this emerging landscape. Established in 2006, nestled in the eastern stretches of Norfolk, it marked the first new whisky producer in the country in over a century. Presently, there are 45 such distilleries.

While its acclaimed Sherry Cask whisky does not specify an age on its label, it is plausible that it contains a portion of whisky aged up to 17 years. Regardless, it occupies a favorable position on shelves in terms of pricing compared to its northern counterparts. A 700ml bottle of the whisky currently sells for £59.00.