LiquorHound's Best Spirits of 2020
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Well, we’ve made it to the end of this rough year, so to celebrate allow me to list my favorite spirits of 2020. The bottles shown all made a big impression on me and hopefully you can still find most of these and know they're solid selections.
If you want to skip to a certain category, here’s their time marks: Bourbon Whiskey - :58, Rye Whiskey - 3:28, Irish Whiskey - 6:02, Speyside Single Malt Whisky - 7:34, Highland Single Malt Whisky - 9:04, Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky - 10:26, Islay Single Malt Whisky - 12:32, Armagnac - 14:14, Cognac - 15:56, Canadian Whisky - 17:09, Japanese Whisky - 19:07, Tequila - 19:54, Mezcal - 23:11, Rum - 24:05, Vodka - 25:33, Gin - 26:43
Bottles shown are: Baker’s 13 Year ($100), Larceny Barrel Proof ($50), Jack Daniels Barrel Strength Rye ($55), Nashville Barrel Company Rye ($100), Old Pepper Single Barrel Rye ($45), Boann “The Whistler” 7 Year Cask Strength Irish Whiskey Batch 01 ($55), Redbreast Cask Strength Irish Whiskey ($85), Glenallachie 10 Year Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt ($75), Kirkland Speyside Single Malt 22 Year ($80), Glendronach 18 Highland Single Malt ($175), Clynelish 14 Year ($70), Longrow 14 Year Campbeltown Sherry Cask ($115), Glen Scotia Victoriana ($85 to $125), Kilkerran 8 Year ($80), Bruichladdich Octomore 11.3 Islay Single Malt ($240), Laphroaig 16 Year ($110), Darroze 20 Year Grand Assemblages Armagnac ($75 to $125), La Encantada Armagnac ($175-$250), Ferrand S.D.A. Cognac ($180), Kelt Tour Du Monde VSOP Cognac ($55), Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye ($55), Crown Royal Hand Select Barrel ($55), (I mentioned) Akashi 5 Year Sherry Cask Japanese Whisky ($240), G4 Extra Añejo “55” Month Tequila ($280), Any of the standard G4 Line ($45 to $115), Fortaleza 2020 Winter Blend Reposado ($100), Fortaleza Still Strength Blanco ($60), Alipus Santa Ana XX Aniversario Mezcal ($110), Yuu Baal Joven Mezcal ($35), Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Rum ($40 to $55), Doorley’s 12 Year Rum ($27), Purity 34 Vodka ($25), ZYR Vodka ($27), Sipsmith Gin ($29), Roku Gin ($32), Gray Whale Gin ($32)
As always, I want to thank all of my viewers and send a special thank you to my Patreon supporters who’ve helped me keep my independence. So, if you enjoy this content and would like even more, please join us at www.patreon.com/LiquorHound. Once you’re a supporter, you can message me directly, check out the private review library, get some secret tips, and receive a new review every Thursday (many of these award winners were reviewed previously on there). But if you just want to stick to UA-cam, you’ll be happy to know that I will be releasing even more video reviews on here in 2021! So be sure to Subscribe and hit that notification bell so you’ll be alerted as soon as one drops. Speaking of big announcements, get ready for some amazing new spirits coming under the “Saints Alley” name in the spring! It's a project that I've been working on for some time, and I've teamed up with some incredibly talented people to create top notch releases for 2021 and beyond!
As of December 2020, my current bottle count is over 2,500. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Thanks for watching and remember to please drink responsibly. Cheers!
I look forward to these “best of” videos from you every year!
Most highly anticipated Spirits List of the Year for me is yours, Chris, and it is very interesting as usual...Wish you the Best for 2021 for you, your family & your channel as well ! Cheers ! 🥃👍
Thank you and cheers!
Great rundown as always
Thank you and cheers!
Always look forward to your yearly picks. 🤙🏽🥃
I’m glad you’re here and cheers!
Nice summary Chris. Happy New Year when it rolls around!
Happy New Year and cheers!
Chris, great list as always. On my second bottle of the Kirkland 22. Just walked into CostCo is the 23 year so grabbed one at $78. Really enjoying that Old Pepper SiB Rye, grabbed a SP.
Very nice DJ! Happy New Year and cheers!
DJ, what region of the country did you pick up the 23 year? Here in Chicago I have yet to see it yet.
Excellent round up and few in there to keep us on our toes. Cheers
Thanks WT and cheers!
You are the best as always! Glad you finally got your hands on some Kirkland branded spirits, I was asking you many years ago!
Lol, thank you! Yeah it’s no easy feat to get those. Luckily a buddy of mine was near some in his travels and brought me back a bottle. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound very cool! Hope in the future somehow we can get you the entire Kirkland lineup and compre them to other liquors in the same class for the price? Anyways, huge fan of your videos, keep up the great work!
Great stuff as always. bud. You are one of the reasons I started reviewing whisky myself. Have a great New Years' and excited to follow your stuff in 2020!
Thank you and keep on doing your thing! Happy New Years to you as well and cheers!
Extremely useful! And thank you for omitting the allocated items. 🥃
Awesome year end video like always! The Longrow 14 was my favorite spirit of the year. Still hunting for the JD and the Whistler is now on my list.
Longrow 14 is a great label. Completely agree with you. Cheers
You the only one reviewer that tries everything. I get tired of seeing the same bourbon on e very review channel. You the only one baby, Ty sir
And thank you for watching and leaving the comment. Cheers!
My local liquor store should give you a year end bonus! Lol Happy New Year! Thanks for guiding my purchases, you never steer me wrong.
Lol, I’m sure the check just gets lost in the mail every year. 😋 Happy New Year and cheers! 🎉
AMAZING AS ALWAYS! Love to see more "flights" of whisk(e)ys, rums etc. in 2021! Comparing the same core distillery releases, recommending other bottle's in the same prince range etc.
Keep it up buddy! :)
Happy new year LiquorHound and everyone! Nice to see you again LiquorHound cheers, 🍻🍻🍻🍻👍👍👍👍🥃🥃🥃✌️😎☕,
Happy New Year and cheers! 🥳
Glad to see the Kirkland 22 on this list. I'm enjoying a rather large pour of the 23 as I watch this. Great video, thank you.
How would you compare the 23 vs the 22?
I agree with you regard the Laphroaig 16. Lots of people wasn't impressed with it but I enjoyed it and the heavy (but not too heavy) vanilla notes.
Thank you so much for you listing your show notes, I always like your reviews.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching and cheers!
Very good Liquor Hound. You are one of the best at what you do.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my reviews! Take care and cheers!
G4 Tequila is fantastic. What makes that particular brand unique is their unique use of 3 water sources; spring water, deep well water and rain water. The minerality of G4 is incredible and such a treat to sip on. It's such a clean and pristine product.
Nice review LiquorHound!
Thank you for that additional information and cheers!
Spring and rain only in g4. Terralta is deep well only, pasote is deep well and rain, Volans has all 3 water types
Loving the shelf Sir
Great list! Now you're gonna make me pickup an Octomore 11.3... lol. 💵🔥
Best since 6.3! Do eeeeeeeeeet!!!
Thanks for your beautiful roundup. Lot of shopping next Year hehe
Great video. Plenty of interesting things to check out. Thanks!
Always the top "best of" list, every year. Cheers!
Thank you for that and cheers!
great tasting notes as always. dont stop please.
Amazing! Thanks for adding Roku!! Always looking forward watching your video!!
It deserved to be mentioned. Thank you and cheers!
Hi Chris ! My top 3 Whisk(e)ys of 2020 are *Port Charlotte MRC:01* , *Van Winkle 10 years* and *Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 years* ... this bottlings are amazing for me ! 🤗👌 Cheers , Chris from Bremen / Germany
I was very close to showing Wee Beastie as a honorable mention, but it got cut out last minute just to make room on the table. But yes, it’s a tasty whisky at a great value. Cheers!
Great show man lots of good tips
Always a great selection for your best of the year, it keeps me searching for some of those bottles.
Very knowledgeable and experienced in flavours. Thank you . Great collection
Thank you for watching and for the comment! Cheers!
After this lineup I just had to subscribe. So many favs of mine in it. Longrow 14, GlenAllachie 10, G4, Glendronach 18, L'Encantada. Man. I think I have to take a real close look at your recommendations in the future.
Yep, it’s always nice to find someone who shares a similar palate. Thanks for watching and cheers!
Thanks for your reviews. I wish you could do more. Happy New Year 🥳
Chris this was a great list and confirms some I was looking to pick up including Alberta premium and the 2 gins you mentioned. I will have to find that prussers and JD CS rye as well. Cheers
Thank you Matt! I'll have to reach out to you soon to catch up. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound sounds great. Talk to you soon.
Keep an eye out for the limited Pusser's 50th Anniversary. It's basically the Gunpowder but older and irons out some of the fienty elements. An excellent example of British Navy Rum.
Can’t wait to see more videos from you in 2021.
Fantastic review as always. I wait all year for the year end reviews.
Thank you and cheers!
Been waiting for this! Cheers for adding that Glenallachie Cask Strength - it's an incredible bang for buck.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!
Happy new year to you and your collection!
Thank you and Happy New Year to you as well! Cheers!
Nice review. Wish you’d include an American Single Malt category. Some good ones out there.
I used to buy Purity by the case! great stuff. these days i'm drinking Pisco Porton, a must try if you somehow haven't already!!
Always look forward to this every year. Nice to see you find a Canadian Whisky this year, as the decent ones very rarely leave here. Funny that everybody is running around looking for Alberta Premium CS Rye and there are several versions bottled by others in the US :) Happy New Year!
Lol that’s true, but you can’t beat this price. Happy New Year and cheers!
Great video Liquor Hound! I always enjoy your reviews, especially the "Best Spirits" presentations. I have a few of your selections and others will go into my wish list. Hope you have a pleasant New Year. Cheers!
Thank you and I hope the same for you! Cheers!
Outstanding as always! Thank you for sharing your experience with so many spirits. Rum must be out of fashion in Japan (where I live) as the Pusser's Gunpowder Rum is only $30.
Thank you and enjoy that one! Cheers!
Nice list and cool to see I have a few of them :)
Have graet 2021, all the best
Thank you and I hope the same for you! cheers!
The Kilkerran 8 sherry cask 57,1 so complex for a young whisky one of the best we checked last year. 👌
Great break down -- thanks and Merry New Year!
Thank you so much for all the great recommendations. Can't wait to try them!
You are so welcome! Cheers!
Excellent review, as they always are. I'll be looking for some of those bottles. Ty
You’re most welcome and cheers!
Another Great list! I've been holding out for the batch 3 of Glenallachie cast strength but if 2 makes it on your list that's good enough for me. Thank you!
Thanks for watching and cheers!
Batch 2 is fantastic
Happy New Year! 🍸🍷🍹🍺
Happy New Year and cheers! 🥃
I always enjoy your reviews though it can be costly to watch! I tend to buy somethingS based on what I hear. I tend to like your second picks when the difference between 1 & 2 is significant. Thank you for doing these.
Thank you for watching and cheers!
2021 was pretty much a total bust also, but I'm looking forward to your selection for this year.
The purity vodka was hard to get used to, it's grown a bit on me but... still not sure. Still prefer Beluga, Chopin Potato and Reyka.
Looking forward to what you'll pick in December.
Awesome video
Thank you for your time
Thanks for watching and cheers!
Thanks for the information
Fantastic selection and review Happy New Year's!
Happy New Years and cheers!
I'm surprised the 12 yr knob or remus repeal 4 didn't make it. But that JDRBP is delicious
I'm Irish and bought both the redbreast cask strength 12 and whistler 7 this year and completely agree with your assessment, much prefer the whistler which is fantastic and not very well known even in Ireland, the RB disappointed me a little
Good job us usually! Enjoyed your every videos! I wish you can do more often! Happy New Year!🎈🎊 ZYR 👍
It is amazing that all the top whiskies shown online by different reviewers do not like the same ones, just goes to show you every bodies taste is different, no body likes the same thing.
Welcome back!!!
happy new year to you sir hound !
Happy New Year to you as well! Cheers!
Thank you
Would love to see a new vodka taste off! Beluga Transatlantic (maybe the Allure too), Purity 34, Stoli Elit, Chopin (Wheat & Potato), and Belvedere Lake Bartezek (smoother & milder then the intense).
I’ve been wanting to do one, and will make it happen very soon. Cheers!
Try the 'Braastad Nedslaget Ekstra'. Only 130$ for a ~60y/o blend
Great run down!
Finally!!!
grreat review
what are is your personal top 5 vodkas? i agree with you on your zyr opinion, and like the beluga transatlantic the best so far from your recommendations
Glenallachie 10 cask strength I have the Batch 3 super Whisky. 👍.
Would you consider doing more Cognac and Armagnac reviews? Would love to hear which VSOP and XO products you enjoy.
I actually have one coming up today. Thank you for the suggestion and cheers!
Thanks, looking forward to it. Would love to hear your thoughts on Hennessy XO or VSOP.
Have you tried the Kelt Commodore? Curious how it compares to the VSOP.
@0:27 - Hmmm, I wonder which one that could be?!! Chris, the Baker's 13 was staring at me in the liquor store after it came out last year (yep, just one bottle) and like a dumbass I left it on the shelf! Been figuratively kicking myself ever since :-(
Yeah, those misses haunt us all. Cheers!
Is that a 2020 bottling of Glen Dronach 18? I have a 2016 and a 2020. Haven’t cracked open the 2020 yet. But have heard it compares well to earlier releasees despite being back to 18 yr old stock.
I’ve had them from different years, but their quality has always been pretty steady in the 15’s and 18’s. Enjoy them and cheers!
Did you ever get hold of the Black ToT 50th Anniversary ? Oliver Chilton did a great Job with the blend £100 bottle in uk
No, sadly I've never seen it here in Texas. Cheers!
Yellowstone Hand Picked Limited ❤️ 👍 👍😃
You should do a video on your strongest spirits
Hmm… that could be entertaining. Thank you for the suggestion and cheers!
Very interesting , though you pay a lot for a shot
I don’t know if I appreciate a 60 dollar drink less than a 160 dollar one
It’s the same as wine !
Great picks! The only Glenallachie available where I am is the 12 year PX sherry finish - any experience with this expression?
I don’t have any experience with that one, but it does sound very tasty! I haven’t had bad luck with any of the ones I’ve picked up, and have found that some of the bigger ones (60% abv and above) take water very well. Thanks for watching and cheers!
I've got a few bottles of Macallan Amber Liqueur... have you had that?
Is the purity your new number 1 or is the Kauffman private collection still your favorite?
Purity is solid, but its pretty far behind my old Kauffman. Of course, for the money, it's a high quality vodka. Thanks for watching and cheers!
I'm in TX as well. Where did source the Kirkland? Louisiana?
Mine was brought back by a friend from California or Arizona (I can’t remember which). Cheers!
also, if you had a 1.5 oz shot every single day, I'd estimate that collection behind you would last you over 100 years! hope you have lots of friends :)
Would you say Purity 34 or 51 is possibly better than Bulaga Gold? I know you said Purity 34 may nudge out Bulaga Transatlantic... but what about Bulaga Noble Russian Gold?
I still like the Beluga Gold (aka Gold Line) better than either Purity. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound
I couldn't agree more! After I asked, I went out and purchased Beluga Gold, Transatlantic and Purity 34, 51. The Beluga Vodka is very good. Purity was very nice but Beluga is now my all time favorite Vodka... I can't believe I spelt Beluga as Bulaga 3 times lol 😂
Would it be ridiculous to request a "best from the well" list of top cheap liquors from various categories? It could be set at whatever price point: under 20, under 30, etc.
Regardless, best wishes.
Would anyone happen to know if the beluga noble or beluga transatlantic is better ? I’m trying out vodka and didn’t really want grey goose and heard of beluga .. really interested.. I’m usually a Hennessy drinker but wanted something different. Thanks a lot. !
The best in the Beluga lineup is the "Gold Line." From there, I'd go with Transatlantic and the standard Noble myself. Another good one to try is Jewel Of Russia Ultra. Cheers!
Hello , and thank you for your channel ! I have a question , I’m trying to make orange liquor from orange peels and I was using vodka .
Is another kind of spirits I should use instead of vodka ? What do you think
Thanks again for your channel I really enjoy it !
I’ve done the something similar and have always had good results extracting the flavors using a 100 proof vodka. You can extract faster with a neutral grain spirit (at 150 proof), but the end result didn’t come out as well for me. Now for what you’re doing, the only other spirit you could try is a high abv cognac like Force 53. I’d imagine the end result would be like a BIG Grand Marnier. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound , I’m going to follow your advice going with the 100 proof good quality vodka . I’ll let it rest for 30 or 45 days so it can macerate really well. Thank you vey much for your answer!
The Gunpowder Proof is usually around 30-35$ is this one any different from the normal Gunpowder Pusser's? 70 seems high in any state etc. (I've purchased in NJ, FL, PA, NY East Coast etc)
The standard Gunpowder proof should be between $30-$45. They did a Gunpowder proof 50th Anniversary in a black bottle that runs around $70-$90. Both are big compared to the standard Admiral Strength version that retails for $20-$25 and is only 42% abv. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound Ah! I knew I was missing something. How do you feel about the 15 year? Is the 50th Anniversary version of Gunpowder much better than the standard? I appreciate your help/input!
I haven't purchased the 15 year one yet. I'm sure the 50th is the best one, but again I haven't been able to find one. Cheers!
Cheers always!
I'll stick to my 12 year ECBP for $75
For cognac remy Martin 1738 all day
OMG 😍💋 💝💖❤️