Scotch single malt makes it into Jim Murray's Whisky Bible's Best Whiskies for 2018

A Scotch Whisky has made it into the top three of Jim Murray's Whisky Bible winners for 2018 though the top prize again goes to an American whiskey.

Published 12th Oct 2017
Updated 21 st Sep 2023

An American bottling scooped the crown this year, following in the footsteps of fellow US whiskey Booker’s Rye 13 year old, which won last year.

According the controversial whisky writer and critic, "nothing could compare to the astonishing beauty" of The Colonel EH Taylor Four Grain, which is made using corn, rye, wheat and malted barley and was released by Buffalo Trace in April this year.

• READ MORE: One of Scotland’s most famous ‘lost’ lowland distilleries set to be revived

The Glen Grant 18 Year Old, which took second spot in last year's Bible, dropped to third behind the ever popular Irish whiskey Redbreast 21, which has been a favourite of Mr Murray since its launch.

The Scottish section of the Bible saw Glen Grant 18 take the Scotch Whisky of the Year and Single Malt of the Year titles, while Cadenhead's Glendullan 20 Year Old took the Single Cask Single Malt crown.

• READ MORE: Two of Scotland’s most famous ‘lost’ distilleries to be revived by Diageo

The Scotch Blend of the Year went to Compass Box's The Double Single, with Cambus 40-year-old taking the Single Grain of the Year.

Mr. Murray's choices will no doubt cause a hint of controversy after he once again decided against giving a Scotch the title for the fourth year running; three years ago, he named the Japanese whisky Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 as his winner, with Canada's Crown Royal taking the 2016 title and last year saw the honour go to America, and Booker’s Rye 13 year old.

Perhaps, most surprisingly whiskies from England and Wales beat out competitors from Scandinavia to take the coveted European Whisky of the Year titles with Penderyn Bryn Terfel taking the Multiple Cask crown and The Norfolk Parched from the St. George's Distillery taking the Single Cask Whisky award.

You can see a full list of the winners here.

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Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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