Fred Minnick’s 2019 Whiskey of the Year Unveiling

This evening, Friday, December 20th, whiskey writer Fred Minnick will reveal his 2019 Whiskey of the Year on YouTube Live. Minnick will lead a blind tasting of 35 whiskies and will crown his top one.

Minnick is a well-known whiskey and bourbon expert that has written about the spirit for various publications, including Whiskey Advocate and Bourbon+. In addition to this writing he has also written a handful of books including Bourbon Curious and Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey. Minnick is also a longtime judge of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and personality on the Spirits Network.

Later today, Minnick will go live on his YouTube channel at 6:00pm PST to broadcast his 2019 Whiskey of the Year. This will be the very first time that he has broadcasted his tasting live. Viewers will be able to get an unique look into the process and rationale. The announcement of the 2019 winner is set to take place at 6:40pm PST. You can view Minnick’s YouTube Channel here.

There will be 35 whiskies contending to be crowned the 2019 Whiskey of the Year. Last year Barrel Batch 21 took home the top prize. Here are this year’s contenders (in no particular order):

Fred Minnick 2019 Top Whiskey Contenders:

• Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof
• Uncle Nearest 1820
• George Dickel Bottled in Bond
• Woodinville Washington Straight Bourbon
• Slipknot’s No. 9 Reserve
• Matthew McConaughey Longbranch, Wild Turkey
• Metallica’s Blackened
• Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey
• Old Forester 2019 Birthday Bourbon
• Booker’s 2019-02
• Four Roses 2019 Small Batch Limited Edition
• Rare Breed
• Michter’s 20 Year Old
• New Riff Bottled in Bond
• King of Kentucky
• Cream of Kentucky Batch 2
• William Larue Weller, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2019
• Elijah Craig Batch A119
• Four Roses Small Batch Select
• Old Forester 1920
• Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
• Henry McKenna 10 Year Old
• Blend of Straights
• Barrell Batch 21
• Wild Turkey Master’s Keep
• Thomas Handy Rye
• Dad’s Hat Bottled-in-Bond
• New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Rye
• Old Forester Rye
• Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond Rye
• Pikesville Rye
• 291 Colorado Straight Bourbon Aspen Finish
• Angel’s Envy Port Finish
• Belle Meade Honey Barrel
• Pursuit Series Episode 007

Additional Info: In years past, when Minnick’s given an American whiskey notoriety, the brands have gone on allocation. Former high accolades from Minnick contributed to the allocations of Weller 12-year-old, Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond, Rare Breed and Barrell Craft Spirits – among others. It’s been widely noted that even when Minnick says a bourbon is not good, consumers will buy it just to confirm his thoughts. In fact, bourbon enthusiasts have termed the “Minnick Effect,” which is when certain shelves clear – and bottle prices rise – as a result of his rankings. The blind tasting will take place in Minnick’s hometown of Louisville, Ky.