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BevTest's 2023 Best Spirits, Wines, & Beers

Below are the Top 25 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) winners from their 2023 World Spirits Championships, 2023 World Wine Championships, and US Regional Wines from the 2023 state competitions run by BevTest, plus the top 12 Beers from their 2023 World Beer Championships.

Each year BevTest uses blind panels of trained drinks experts to review thousands of beverages for its in-house competitions as well as the competitions it runs for other organizations. When the panelists have put down their glasses for the year, what rises to the top are these lists of the best drinks of the year for your imbibing pleasure. BevTest does the heavy lifting (and pouring) so you don't have to, so seek out and treasure these liquid gems for your upcoming holiday parties, dinners, and get-togethers (or just for yourself :).

Cheers, The Editors at tastings.com

1st

99 POINTS

Blue Spot 7 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 58.9% (Ireland) $90.

The cuvee of barrels is really special here, further proof that barrels and blending are more important than age. More than just delicious whiskey, We wish our offices could just smell like this.

2nd

98 POINTS

Bhakta Spirits 1973 Single Vintage Armagnac 50.3% (France) $399.

People have tried to make Armagnac popular before and failed but with expressions like this the world of luxury libations will be hard pressed not to talk about what Bhakta is doing here all year round.

3rd

98 POINTS

Fuenteseca 2014 Reserva 7 Year Aged Extra Añejo Tequila 41.7% (Mexico) $259.

Incredible agave flavors stand up to and harmonize with the diverse aromas and flavors of the cask. Wow and this is special.

4th

98 POINTS

REDBREAST 27 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Batch No. 4 53.6% (Ireland) $599.

When this whiskey is showing well there is almost no whiskey or distillate in the world that is better.

5th

97 POINTS

Cazcanes No. 10 Blanco Tequila 54% (Mexico) $110.

One of the finest expressions of pure agave flavor in the marketplace today.

6th

97 POINTS

Rest & Be Thankful 1998 23 Year Aged Longpond Single Cask #10245 Rum 57.6% (Jamaica) $369.

For those that love high ester Rums there are few options in the world better than this.

7th

97 POINTS

Del Maguey San Pablo Ameyaltepec Single Village Blanco Mezcal 47% (Mexico) $124.

Year upon year a top Mezcal in the market.

8th

97 POINTS

Hooghoudt 23 Year Old Cask Strength Barrel-Aged Genever 59.8% (Netherlands) $229.

A largely overlooked category but this is some of the best aged spirit out there.

9th

97 POINTS

REDBREAST 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 46% (Ireland) $230.

One of the world's finest and most consistent whiskies and sometimes better than the 27 year version at half the price.

10th

97 POINTS

Jean-Marc XO Vodka 40% (France) $59.

One of the world's finest Vodkas that maintains the flavor of the base fermentable.

11th

97 POINTS

Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. B523 62.2% (USA) $59.

A stunning Bourbon in its own right, but easily the best value in wheated Bourbon on the market.

12th

97 POINTS

Bhakta Spirits 1964 Single Vintage Armagnac 50.1% (France) $579.

Needs a bit of air and time to express the youthful fruit underneath but something really special.

13th

97 POINTS

Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 46% (Ireland) $288.

A worthy whiskey to display Barry Crockett's name.

14th

97 POINTS

Wilderness Trail Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 50% (USA) $54.

Beautiful rye from a younger distillery.

15th

97 POINTS

Alquimia Reserva De Oro XIV Cask Strength Extra Añejo Tequila 50% (Mexico) $249.

A Tequila to convert drinkers of well aged Brandies and Whiskies.

16th

97 POINTS

elit Vodka 40% (Latvia) $40.

For over a decade the most consistent and clean Vodka on the market.

17th

96 POINTS

Doc Swinson’s 5 Year Old Exploratory Cask Bossa Nova Cask-Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey 56.4% (USA) $80.

Not every experiment works but these exotic woods make this a treat one has to try to understand.

18th

96 POINTS

Bhakta Spirits 1928 Blended Straight Rye Whiskey, Calvados, and Armagnac 50% (USA) $69.

Adore this blend for anyone that likes fine spirits and the price is tough to beat.

19th

96 POINTS

Black Tot 2022 Master Blender’s Reserve Limited Edition Rum 54.5% (Caribbean Region) $200.

Complex and delicious without being too assertive.

20th

96 POINTS

Mezcal Vago Mezcal Ensamble En Barro 50.2% (Mexico) $69.

Complex while still maintaining a value and approachability for the Mezcal category.

21st

96 POINTS

Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 57.1% (Taiwan) $214.

Barrel forward flavor that makes one question the supremacy of Scotland for Single Malts.

22nd

96 POINTS

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. B523 62.1% (USA) $69.

Unique flavors from batch to btach with remarkable consistency of quality.

23rd

96 POINTS

Kuleana Rum Works Hokulei Aged Rum Batch No. 07 46% (USA) $80.

Beautiful and uniquely Hawaiian terroir in this rum.

24th

96 POINTS

Wikinger Noorgaard Gin 43.9% (Germany)

Spicy, minty, and savory layered on top on top of classic Gin flavors; this one is a treat.

25th

96 POINTS

Shin 10 Year Old Mizunara Oak-Finished Japanese Malt Whisky 48% (Japan) $130.

A relative bargain in Japanese Whiskey with ample Mizunara flavor.