37 Best Scotch Whiskies in the World, According to the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

In May, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition convened for its 24th year to separate the wheat from the chaff within the liquor industry. This year, 36 judges from across the globe convened in The Golden State for the world's largest spirits showdown, trying over 6,000 would-be finalists in categories such as whiskey, tequila, gin, rum, liqueur, ready-to-drink cocktails and more. If you can think of an alcohol other than beer or wine, there's a good chance the SFSWC gave it a shot. Working in teams over four days, judges whittled down the selection to a handful of picks that exemplify the best of what distillers have to offer. Here are the criteria: SFSWC judges award spirits Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. The description of what constitutes a Gold medal is: “Exceptional spirits that are near the pinnacle of achievement; these products set the standard for their categories.” Above Gold sits Double Gold, given to spirits that are unanimously awarded a Gold Medal by every member of the panel. Beyond that lies an even smaller roster of Best in Class Finalists, one of which will be crowned Best In Show at the Las Vegas Top Shelf Gala in October. Ahead of the grand ceremony, we're taking a look at this year's best scotch whisky contenders. 37 bottles ranging a variety of age statements were chosen for the 2024 Best in Class, so hopefully, there's a little something for everyone:

Best Blended Scotch - Up to 15 years

[caption id="attachment_74928" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] Dewar's New 12 Years Old (40% ABV) - $35 Black Bull 12 Year Old (50% ABV) - $44.99 Isle of Skye 12 Year Scotch Whisky (40% ABV) - $50 Old Parr 12 Year Old (40% ABV) - $50

Best Blended Scotch - 16 Years & Older

[caption id="attachment_74738" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] Dewar's Double Double 32 Years Old (46% ABV) - $370 Dewar's 19 Years Old (43% ABV) - $80 Dewar's Double Double 21 Years Old (46% ABV) - $130 Dewar's Double Double 21 Years Old Mizunara (46% ABV) - $150 Dewar's Double Double 37 Years Old (46% ABV) - $1,800

Best Blended Scotch - No Age Statement

[caption id="attachment_74752" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Black & White Scotch, Johnnie Walker, The Sassenach Blended Scotch)[/caption] The Sassenach Blended Scotch (46% ABV) - $110 Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve (40% ABV) - $53 Black & White Blended Scotch (40% ABV) - $30

Best Distiller's Single Malt Scotch - Up to 12 Years

[caption id="attachment_74734" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] Aberlour 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (40% ABV) - $56.99 Arran Single Malt 10 Years Old (46% ABV) - $83 Port Askaig Aged 8 Years (45.8% ABV) - $48 Benromach 10 Years Old (43% ABV) - $59.99 Tobermory 12 Year Old (46.3% ABV) - $127

Best Distiller's Single Malt Scotch - 13 to 19 Years

[caption id="attachment_74735" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] The Glendronach 18 Year Old (46% ABV) - $240 Longmorn 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (57.6% ABV) - $279.99 TOMATIN 18 Year Old (46% ABV) - $135 Aberlour 2010 Vintage Double Cask (48% ABV) - $150 Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch (44% ABV) - $125

Best Distiller's Single Malt Scotch - 20 Years and Older

[caption id="attachment_74740" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] The Glendronach 21 Year Old (48% ABV) - $300 TOMATIN 45 YEAR OLD (41.5% ABV) - $8,500 Tomintoul Distillery 21 Years Old (40% ABV) - $275.99 Glenfiddich 23 Year Old Grand Cru (40% ABV) - $299 Talisker 45 Year Old (49.8% ABV) - $4,500

Best Distiller's Single Malt Scotch - No Age Statement

[caption id="attachment_74745" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] Old Pulteney Huddart (46% ABV) - $60 Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (43% ABV) - $67.99 Arran Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish (55.8% ABV) - $92 Glenglassaugh Sandend (50.5% ABV) - $85 Loch Lomond Classic (40% ABV) - $25

Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

[caption id="attachment_74750" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Katelyn Tucker Photography/2024 SF Spirits Competition)[/caption] Nobel Rebel Smoke Symphony (46% ABV) - $40 Nobel Rebel Orchard Outburst (46% ABV) - $40 Naked Malt Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey (43% ABV) - $34.99 Elements of Islay Cask Edit (46% ABV) - $45.25 Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask (54.5% ABV) - $59.95 [botmc-promo]