The Best American Single Malt Whiskey, According To The Beverage Testing Institute

The 2025 Beverage Testing Institute’s American Single Malt Whiskey judging showcased the growing depth, diversity, and sophistication of this emerging category. One whiskey—Stranahan’s 10-Year-Old Mountain Angel—claimed top honors, earning a Platinum medal and the title of Best American Single Malt Whiskey.

Ten other exceptional expressions secured Gold medals, reflecting the creativity of distillers who are redefining what American single malt can be. From sherry-finished elegance to bold cask-strength bottlings, this year’s winners reveal a category hitting its stride on the world whiskey stage.

Stranahan’s 10-Year-Old Mountain Angel American Single Malt Whiskey (Batch No. 4), 45.1% ABV, 750 ml 96 Points, Platinum Medal. $129

This American single malt is produced at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2004, Stranahan’s was the first modern American single malt whiskey distillery.

Over the last 20 years, it has become one of the standard bearers of ASM, consistently taking top honors in spirit competitions. A pioneer of ASM, its small batch releases are known for high-altitude aging and for using Rocky Mountain barley and snowmelt water.

The whiskey features rich aromas of vanilla, pipe tobacco, old leather, and cinnamon. It’s flavorful and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of fig jam, maple syrup, burnt sugar, dried cherries, and seasoned oak. Layers of wood spices, cocoa, and cedar evolve mid-palate. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering notes of toffee, seasoned oak, and dark fruit.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the malt whiskey as featuring “aromas of butterscotch, cinnamon, poached pear, and maple syrup, along with flavors of white pepper, marzipan, and nutmeg. Warm, fruity, and nutty with a lightly spicy confectionery note, perfect for sipping by a fireplace.”

Virginia Distillery Co. Cabernet Cask Select American Single Malt Whiskey, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. 94 Points, Gold Medal. $44

The whiskey is produced by the Virginia Distillery Co. in Lovingston, Virginia. This family-owned distillery focuses solely on American single malts and integrates traditional Scottish techniques with a Virginia terroir. They use local malted barley and natural spring water from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The whiskey features aromas of ripe dark berries, vanilla, clove, and toasted French oak. It’s flavorful and slightly dry on the palate, showcasing flavors of black cherry syrup, stewed plum, spiced chocolate, black tea, hints of fig jam, and seasoned oak tannins from the cabernet casks. The finish is long and dry with lingering notes of red fruits, black pepper, and tannic oak.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as expressing “aromas of pear-cinnamon biscuits, jasmine honey spiced almonds, and mesquite honey along with flavors of spiced pear, black walnut, and smoked tea. Elegant and world-class, this American Single Malt is perfect for sipping neat and is a showpiece for the category to win over a well-heeled Highland Scotch aficionado.”

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask American Single Malt Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml. 94 Points, Gold Medal. $69

Another outstanding ASM from Stranahan’s, this whiskey spent five to seven years maturing in American oak casks before being finished in casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry.

The whiskey has the typical Sherry-induced aromas of dried apricot, raisins, cocoa, and nutmeg with hints of cinnamon. It’s robust, smooth, and chewy on the palate, with a pronounced viscous quality, showcasing flavors of cooked spiced figs, toffee, pecan pie, and burnt orange peel. The finish is long, with lingering notes of sherry influences, nutmeg, dried dark fruit, wood spices, and seasoned oak.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring “aromas of caramel, berry compote, and tea, along with flavors of toasted almonds, pie crust, and honey. A lightly toasty and complex American Single Malt for stirred cocktails.”

Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask American Single Malt Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. 93 Points, Gold Medal. $74

The Courage & Conviction series, produced by the Virginia Distillery Co., showcases barrel finishes, including sherry, cuvée, and bourbon casks. This line honors the vision of the late founder, Dr. George G. Moore. The Sherry Cask expression is matured for a minimum of four years in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.

The whiskey features aromas of orange peel, baking spices, roasted almond, and raisin bread. It’s bold and rich on the palate, with a mouth-coating burst of stewed fruit showcasing flavors of baked apple, prune, spiced honey, walnut, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and fruity with a sherried depth, and lingering notes of molasses, spices, and seasoned oak.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring “aromas of black cardamom, cinnamon, and honey along with flavors of banana bread, fallen fruit, and flamed orange. A decadent sweet-savory whiskey that can stand up to a cigar or shine alone neat or on a single cube – an example to show off the singular flavor capabilities of American Single Malts.”

Courage & Conviction Double Cask Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey, 48% ABV, 750 ml. 93 Points, Gold Medal. $79

The Double Cask Reserve is aged for a minimum of five years in first-fill bourbon casks and STR European red wine casks and then blended.

The whiskey features aromas of black currant, crème brûlée, and cinnamon, with hints of leather. It’s flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of vanilla, dried cherry, cocoa, hazelnut, and sweet tobacco. The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of dried fruit, seasoned oak, and spices.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whisking as featuring “aromas of dried honey, wool, and cinnamon-raisins along with flavors of quince jam, hemp, and vanilla. Warm, fruity, and spicy with a touch of wool and honey notes, this whiskey is a great choice for citrus-forward cocktails.”

Stranahan’s Original American Single Malt Whiskey, 47% ABV, 750 ml. 93 Points, Gold Medal. $54

Stranahan’s Original is a small batch American single malt whiskey, made with locally sourced barley, and aged in new American oak barrels with a #3 char for a minimum of 5 years, before being cut to proof with Rocky Mountain Spring water. Each bottling is a blend of barrels aged for five to nine years.

The whiskey features aromas of toasted grain, campfire smoke, caramel, and a hint of citrus. The palate showcases flavors of vanilla cream, roasted nuts, apple, apricot, and subtle spices—a robust yet balanced malt-forward core. The finish is long and slightly dry with lingering notes of seasoned oak, citrus peel, and spices.

The BevTest Judging Panel described the whiskey as featuring “aromas of Crispy Creme glazed doughnuts, marzipan, and walnut tart, along with flavors of salted caramel, pie crust, and peach. Warm and confected with a rich, peach-marzipan-pie crust finish.”

Also winning Gold Medals with scores of 92 points were Courage & Conviction Cuvee Cask American Single Malt Whiskey, Virginia Distillery Co. Blue Ridge Select American Single Malt Whiskey, and Stranahan’s 2024 Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask-Finished American Single Malt Whiskey Batch No. 003.

Virginia Distillery Co. Port Cask Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey and Stranahan’s Blue Peak Solera Finish American Single Malt Whiskey both scored 91 points and won Gold Medals.

This year’s BevTest results confirm that American single malt whiskey has moved well beyond novelty status, establishing itself as a serious and world-class spirits category. With distillers drawing on local ingredients, innovative cask programs, and meticulous aging techniques, these award-winning whiskies offer complexity and character to rival the best from any country’s whiskey-making tradition.

Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as the base for refined cocktails, the 2025 Gold and Platinum whiskey medalists stand as a testament to American craftsmanship—and to a category whose future looks as bold and distinctive as its flavors.

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