USA Spirits Ratings

by BEVERAGE TRADE NETWORK

Super Early
Deadline

December 22, 2026

Judging
Date

July 25, 2027

Winners
Announced

August 12, 2027

Winning Years

2025
2024

Our Products

2024

Yushan Single Malt Whisky Sherry Cask

Whisky
93 Points

Yushan Single Malt Whisky Bourbon Cask

Whisky
92 Points

Hayashi 18 Year Ryukyu Japanese Whisky

Whisky
90 Points

Yushan Blended Malt Whisky

Whisky
90 Points

Kunhai Whisky Sky

Whisky
88 Points

Kunhai Whisky Earth

Whisky
88 Points

Kunhai Whisky Sun

Whisky
87 Points

Hayashi Koyo Ryukyu Japanese Whisky

Whisky
85 Points

Yushan Single Malt Whisky Sherry Cask

Whisky

Photo for: Yushan Single Malt Whisky Sherry Cask

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Gold Medal

93 Points

USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Best In Show By Country

93 Points

Tasting Notes:

Leather, sherry, and port aromas with dark chocolate and cookie dough, full and rich with sweet maple notes, finishing with leathery, raisiny goodness and a bit of heat.

Producer Name: Nantou Distillery
Country: Taiwan, Province of China
Vintage: NAS (No Age Statement)

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Michael Cecconi

Michael Cecconi

Bartender in Residence at Stirred Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education

Photo for: Ranier Reglos

Ranier Reglos

Beverage Director at Sabio Hospitality Group

Photo for: David Rowe

David Rowe

Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Yushan Single Malt Whisky Bourbon Cask

Whisky

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Gold Medal

92 Points

Tasting Notes:

Cacao nibs, green peppercorn, and sweet tobacco aromas, honey and cherry pulp on the palate, lightly sweet and citrusy, finishing with well-rounded flavors and a sherry cask smoothness.

Producer Name: Nantou Distillery
Country: Taiwan, Province of China
Vintage: NAS (No Age Statement)

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Michael Cecconi

Michael Cecconi

Bartender in Residence at Stirred Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education

Photo for: Ranier Reglos

Ranier Reglos

Beverage Director at Sabio Hospitality Group

Photo for: David Rowe

David Rowe

Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Hayashi 18 Year Ryukyu Japanese Whisky

Whisky

Photo for: Hayashi 18 Year Ryukyu Japanese Whisky

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Gold Medal

90 Points

USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Japanese Whiskey Of The Year

90 Points

Tasting Notes:

Honey and tobacco on the nose with a rich mouthfeel of honey, cacao, nutty flavors, finishing with toffee and spice, offering complexity and intensity.

Producer Name: Hayashi Whisky
Country: Japan
Vintage: 18

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Teresa Dito

Teresa Dito

Mixologist Bartender at Hilton & Peninsula Golf Club

Photo for: Tim Marson MW

Tim Marson MW

Category Director at Wine.com

Photo for: Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor

Bar Manager

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Yushan Blended Malt Whisky

Whisky

Photo for: Yushan Blended Malt Whisky

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Gold Medal

90 Points

USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Blended Whiskey Of The Year

90 Points

Tasting Notes:

Smooth and mellow with mesquite, banana chips, and bourbon maple bacon, almost sour beer profile with a strong grainy nose, finishing easy and comforting with slight port cask flavor.

Producer Name: Nantou Distillery
Country: Taiwan, Province of China
Vintage: NAS (No Age Statement)

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Michael Cecconi

Michael Cecconi

Bartender in Residence at Stirred Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education

Photo for: Ranier Reglos

Ranier Reglos

Beverage Director at Sabio Hospitality Group

Photo for: David Rowe

David Rowe

Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Kunhai Whisky Sky

Whisky

Photo for: Kunhai Whisky Sky

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Silver Medal

88 Points

Tasting Notes:

Rich and complex with flavors of grains, mellowed white wood, maple, sweet potato, dark chocolate shavings, and a touch of sea brininess.

Producer Name: Kunhai Whisky
Country: Taiwan, Province of China
Vintage: 1

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Michael Cecconi

Michael Cecconi

Bartender in Residence at Stirred Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education

Photo for: Ranier Reglos

Ranier Reglos

Beverage Director at Sabio Hospitality Group

Photo for: David Rowe

David Rowe

Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Kunhai Whisky Earth

Whisky

Photo for: Kunhai Whisky Earth

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Silver Medal

88 Points

Tasting Notes:

Smooth and sweet with delicate cacao nibs, burnt honey, ripe cherry, and citrus notes, finishing with a light and pleasing aftertaste.

Producer Name: Kunhai Whisky
Country: Taiwan, Province of China
Vintage: 1

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Michael Cecconi

Michael Cecconi

Bartender in Residence at Stirred Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education

Photo for: Ranier Reglos

Ranier Reglos

Beverage Director at Sabio Hospitality Group

Photo for: David Rowe

David Rowe

Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Kunhai Whisky Sun

Whisky

Photo for: Kunhai Whisky Sun

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USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Silver Medal

87 Points

Tasting Notes:

Light and pleasant with rich grain notes, caramel, wheat, cherry blossom flavors, medium-bodied palate, with a long finish.

Producer Name: Kunhai Whisky
Country: Taiwan, Province of China
Vintage: 1

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Michael Cecconi

Michael Cecconi

Bartender in Residence at Stirred Mixology Instructor, Monday Night Mixology & The Institute of Culinary Education

Photo for: Ranier Reglos

Ranier Reglos

Beverage Director at Sabio Hospitality Group

Photo for: David Rowe

David Rowe

Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

Hayashi Koyo Ryukyu Japanese Whisky

Whisky

Photo for: Hayashi Koyo Ryukyu Japanese Whisky

View Certificate Shelf Talkers

USA Spirits Ratings 2024

Silver Medal

85 Points

Tasting Notes:

Wet leather nose with brine, leather, and spice on the palate, baked rice, toffee aromas, offering a firm, powerful, and savory experience.

Producer Name: Hayashi Whisky
Country: Japan
Vintage: 1

Category: Whisky

TASTED BY:

Photo for: Teresa Dito

Teresa Dito

Mixologist Bartender at Hilton & Peninsula Golf Club

Photo for: Tim Marson MW

Tim Marson MW

Category Director at Wine.com

Photo for: Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor

Bar Manager

Judges are active U.S. off-premise trade buyers and evaluated this product in 2026.

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