Two years after naming Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 the “World Whisky of the Year,” Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible anointed Booker’s Rye Whiskey the “World Whisky of the Year” for 2017. Booker’s Rye, the first-ever rye whiskey released by the ultra-premium Booker’s Bourbon brand, joins other Beam Suntory Whiskies to earn top honours at recent industry competitions, including Jim Beam Black Bourbon, Knob Creek Rye Whiskey and Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016.

“It is a high honour to be named the world’s best by Jim Murray and his authoritative Whisky Bible, and I could not be more thrilled for Master Distiller Fred Noe and his family,” said Matt Shattock, Chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory. “For Fred to achieve this honour for the brand began by his father, Booker Noe, it warms the heart of everyone at our company and reflects the utmost care and craftsmanship that goes into our American whiskies each and every day.”

After being tasted alongside 1,240 other new whiskies in this year’s judging, Booker’s Rye is described in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible as “simply a staggering example of a magnificent rye showing exactly what genius in terms of whiskey actually means.” Booker’s Rye features a never-before-released rye mash bill, aged for just over 13 years and bottled uncut and unfiltered, true to Booker’s Bourbon standards. Released in extremely limited quantities earlier this year, it is made from some of the last rye barrels laid down by Booker Noe and marks one of his greatest and final experiments to date.

“On behalf of my dad, Booker Noe, I could not be more proud to see Booker’s Rye named ‘World Whisky of the Year,’ said Fred Noe, Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “Dad was more than just a distiller. He was a big thinker and a man who loved to experiment — and Booker’s Rye is a true celebration of that. Together with my son, Freddie Noe, I’m excited to carry on this legacy of innovation — and our family’s 220-year tradition of crafting the highest quality bourbon and whiskey — for years to come. Let’s just say we have some exciting things ahead.”

Joining Booker’s Rye with a best-in-class ranking this year is Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2016 — a follow-up to the 2013 edition that won Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible’s “World Whisky of the Year” in 2015. In the 2017 Whisky Bible, Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016 swept both Japanese Whisky categories, earning “Japanese Whisky of the Year” and “Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Barrels).”

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is the world’s leading whisky guide, featuring thousands of detailed tasting notes for the world’s whiskies, including brands both large and small. Published annually, each edition features reviews of the newest whiskey releases and each year, only one whiskey is selected to hold the prestigious title of “World Whisky of the Year.”

For more information on Booker’s Rye and Booker’s Bourbon, visit: www.BookersBourbon.com