The Dalmore 35 Year Old is the best spirit in the world, according to the 2020 International Spirits Challenge. The $5000+ single malt Scotch Whisky won the award for Supreme Champion Spirit, the top prize awarded by the competition.
In its 25th year, the International Spirits Challenge is globally recognized as one of the world’s longest running and most trusted spirits competitions. As it turns out, 2020 was one of the most competitive years the ISC has ever seen. The competition tasted thousands of spirits and handed out hundred of awards, including 26 double golds, 293 gold medals, 46 silvers and one bronze in the Scotch Whisky section alone. Still, after the dust settled, it was The Dalmore 35 Year Old that stood at the top.
Coming in at just over $5,000 per bottle, The Dalmore 35 debuted back in 2016. Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson crafted the offering from three wood profiles: a distillery run Bourbon barrel, a Matusalem Sherry Butt, and a Port Colheita Pipe. Only 1,000 bottles of this sublime spirit have been made available worldwide.
“You cannot rush the whisky, you must take time to ensure that you get the best possible results,” said Paterson back when the Whisky was first released. “It took careful maturation in three different woods over a 35 year period to release the full potential of this whisky. Only after this long period of time did the whisky finally become everything I envisaged it could be. Only then was it finally time to release this truly captivating whisky from its slumber.”
It was an impressive year for The Dalmore overall at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge as the iconic Whyte & Mackay-owned Highland distillery picked up a total of 12 awards, including two Double Golds and eight golds.
| Awards | Category | Sub Category | Brand Name / Distillery Name | Medal |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers’ Single Malts 21 years old and over | 35 Y O Dalmore Single Highland Malt | Trophy |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore Vintage “Quartet” Single Highland Malt | Double Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers’ Single Malts 21 years old and over | 40 Y O Dalmore Single Highland Malt | Double Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore Vintage “Trio” Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore Cigar Malt Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore Vintage “Quintet” Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore Port Reserve Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore King Alexander III Single Highland Mlat | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers Single Malt No Age Statement | Dalmore Quintessence Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers’ Single Malts 21 years old and over | 25 Y O Dalmore Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Tasting Awards | Scotch Whisky | Distillers’ Single Malts 21 years old and over | 45 Y O Dalmore Single Highland Malt | Gold |
| Key Tasting Awards | Supreme Champion Spirit | 35 Y O Dalmore Single Highland Malt | Trophy |
To top things off, Richard Paterson was honored with The Lifetime Achievement award.
Check out all 26 Double Gold winners in the Scotch category.
