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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

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.

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.

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.

14th

97 POINTS

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

Beautiful rye from a younger distillery.

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.

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.