The Best Flavored Whiskey According To The ADI International Spirits Competition 2024

[Erik Owens]

https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-awards-ml/the-best-flavored-whisky-according-to-the-adi-international-spirits-competition-2024/

• by Beth Squires
• August 22, 2024

• Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor at The Whiskey Wash and whiskey bottle investment specialist

Flavored whiskey is a rapidly growing category. As whiskey producers gear themselves towards a younger market, hoping to appeal to Gen-Z drinkers, we have seen all sorts of flavors hit the market, from birthday cake to s’mores, there is a flavored whiskey to appeal to all tastes. 

The category has grown so much, in fact, that the American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition has introduced a new ‘Flavored Whiskey’ category. So, today I will be taking a look at the best flavored whiskey according to the ADI International Spirits Competition. Let’s talk medals, tasting notes, prices, and production methods. 

The Growth Of The Flavored Whiskey Category 

Whiskey, as a whole, has long been considered a drink for the older generation. Whether this is true is up for debate. I myself know many young whiskey drinkers, and I am partial to a dram myself. 

However, there is no question that the whiskey market has had to adapt to the needs and wants of younger consumers, namely Millennials and Generation Z. As a result, the flavored whiskey category has seen rapid growth in recent years. Estimates from Future Market Insights Inc. suggest that the flavored whiskey market could be worth $57 billion by 2033. 

All Of Your Whisky VS. Whiskey Questions Answered

Beginning with flavors such as Jack Daniel’sHoney and Apple Tennessee Whiskey, the flavors have become increasingly bold and dynamic as younger consumers search for unique taste experiences. 

You might also want to keep an eye on the following brands, which have produced award-winning whiskeys of all flavors. 

Heritage Distilling Company Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey 

Class: Whiskey
Category: Flavored Whiskey
Production Group: Distilled
Medal: Gold Medal
Tasting Notes: Cocoa, dark chocolate, marshmallow
BUY NOW: $35.99

Heritage Distilling Company’s Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey is a multi-award-winning expression, having already been awarded a Silver Medal from the ADI in 2022. This year, though, the whiskey achieved a Gold Medal. 

According to the brand’s website, the flavored whiskey is “driven by the love of the Cocoa Bomb hot chocolate experience,” and aims to be “the best-tasting chocolate-flavored whiskey on the market.” 

Bottled at 37.5% ABV (75 proof) Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey is silky smooth and simple. 

Heritage Distilling Company Company is a craft distillery company with tasting rooms located in Washington and Oregon. The company produces a variety of spirits including vodka, gin, and rum as well as whiskey. 

Heritage Distilling recommends enjoying Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey “in the mountains, or on a cool summer evening with friends.” The brand also has also developed cocktail recipes in which Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey is a key ingredient. These include the ‘All That Glitters Is Gold’, a creamy concoction made with Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey, Vanilla Vodka, and cold brew coffee, topped with macchiato foam and a caramel drizzle. 

Murlarkey Distilled Spirits Three Tea Whiskey 

Class: Whiskey
Category: Flavored Whiskey
Production Group: Distilled
Medal: Double Gold Medal, Best of Category
Tasting Notes: Darjeeling, Earl Grey, black tea, sweet corn
BUY NOW: $29.99

Murlarkey Distilled Spirits decided to experiment with tea when it came to creating the Three Tea Whiskey. Murlarkey’s Justice White Whiskey (in itself an award-winning expression) is “poured over a proprietary blend of the highest quality, all-natural Darjeeling, Earl Grey and Black Teas and left to infuse in a white oak barrel until it reaches perfection.” 

The Three Tea Whiskey imparts the subtle, floral flavors of the teas onto the smooth whiskey, creating a seamlessly gentle spirit. The whisky is also gluten-free! 

The Three Tea Whiskey not only won a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 ADI International Spirits Competition but was also named Best of Category. 

Murlarkey Distilled Spirits is located in Virginia, and prides itself on its ‘Farm To Flask’ approach, using natural ingredients. The site produces vodka and gin as well as other flavored whiskeys such as banana, lemon, and coffee. 

Murlarkey Distilled Spirits has also curated some Three Tea Whiskey cocktails for you to enjoy. My favorite is the ‘Mur”Tea”ney’: Three Tea Whiskey, Vanilla creamer, and Chai bitters shaken up and poured over rocks. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

Old Tennessee Distilling Co. Chocolate Caramel Whiskey 

Class: Whiskey
Category: Flavored Whiskey
Production Group: Bottled & Blended
Medal: Double Gold Medal, Best of Category
Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes available
BUY NOW: N/A 

The Old Tennessee Distilling Company’s Chocolate Caramel Whiskey is something of an enigma. The only information that I can find on the company’s website states that the whiskey is bottled at 46% ABV. 

However, true to form for every company in this article, Old Tennessee Distilling Co. has recommended a Chocolate Caramel Whiskey cocktail for you to enjoy on their Facebook page. This one is called the ‘Daydrinker Iced Coffee’: 

• 2oz Chocolate Caramel Whiskey 
• 1oz Cold Brew Coffee 
• 1/4oz of vanilla-infused maple syrup 
• 1 dash of cinnamon 
• 3 dashes of cardamom bitters 

Shake and strain over ice into a coffee glass. 

Old Tennessee Distilling Co. also offers flavored moonshines and other flavored whiskeys such as banana coffee, blueberry, and peanut butter. 

Support From The ADI 

As Eric said when we spoke last week about the results from this year’s ADI International Spirits Competition, the Institute is passionate about helping medal winners expand their outreach, bringing their products to new customer bases. 

In a category as rapidly growing as flavored whiskey, the offer of support is invaluable. Who knows, perhaps we will see winners such as the ones above break the global market in the near future. “For new and growing brands that are only in a couple of markets, exposure alone isn’t always enough to make an impact,” says Eric. “So to help our winners grow their sales with the increased exposure, we pursued a series of partnerships with retailers, importers, distributors, and e-commerce platforms who have agreed to meet with our top winners and discuss the possibility of taking them on.” 

So, do keep an eye on your local liquor store shelves for the growing selection of flavored whiskeys, and enjoy a ‘Daydrinker Iced Coffee’ on a hot summer’s day.