HIGH BANK BREAKS A NATIONAL SPIRIT RECORD, TAKES HOME THREE-PEAT FOR THE BEST BLENDED WHISKEY IN AMERICA
COLUMBUS, OH — The best things comes in threes. High Bank Distillery Co. was awarded Best Blended Whiskey in America for the third consecutive year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
“THIS JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN.”
— Amanda Blue, COO of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition & President of the Tasting Allliance
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is known as one of the most influential and respected spirits competition in the world, judging spirits across 100 different categories. It is the 2nd oldest and largest spirits competition in the world, including over 6,000 entries across the world, and is considered the "industry standard" of what's what in alcoholic beverages.
The SFWSC judging process consisted of 70 judges. These industry professionals try hundreds of spirits per category. If a spirit receives a high score, it is awarded a gold. These winning spirits are tasted again. If a spirit is receives multiple high scores it is then awarded a double gold. The highest scores of these spirits gets awarded Best In Class.
High Bank won Best Blended Whiskey in America for two years in a row, with Whiskey War Barrel Proof in 2021 and Whiskey War Barrel Select in 2022.
At this year’s competition, Whiskey War Barrel Select - Double Double Pinot Noir (Batch #11) was voted Best Blended Whiskey In America.
High Bank took home 6 Double Golds as well, making them the distillery awarded the most double golds in America and second in the world.
The president of the Tasting Alliance and COO of The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Amanda Blue, shared some words about these huge wins.
This competition brings in thousands of spirits around the world and only the best of the best are recognized as ‘Best Of Class.’ Winning this award in a category is extremely impressive. Winning it twice just doesn’t happen. Winning it three times is history.
— Amanda Blue
Master Distiller and co-founder Adam Hines comments on this history breaking moment.
I almost do not have words to describe how I feel about this award. We are absolutely blown away by winning the Best Blended Whiskey in America for three years in a row. With this win we are the only American distillery, in the history of the world’s largest spirit competition, to win a Best In Class award three years in a row.
Our Whiskey War products standing up to, and beating out large, international brands is a testament to the flavor and craft. My goal in starting this distillery, just 5 years ago, was to be seen as comparable products to the big names in the spirits industry. I did not want to be just good for a distillery in central Ohio.
We want to continue to tell the story of Whiskey War, a product that is crafted for the masses. I have always worked for our distillery to make uncompromised yet approachable spirits. These awards show that our spirits are created with a passion for consistent flavor.
— Adam Hines
Whiskey War Barrel Select Double Double Pinot Noir is currently sold out. The newest Barrel Select Batch (Batch #12) will be released June 2023.
About High Bank Distillery Co.
High Bank Distillery Co. is a local Columbus distillery, founded in 2017. Operating an award-winning distillery that obsesses on the creation of high quality, handmade spirits with a focus on blended whiskey. High Bank won Best Blended Whiskey in America at the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Drink Local. Drink High Bank. For more information, visit highbankdistillery.com.