Colorado whiskey named 'America's greatest' at international spirits competition

Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post on May 15, 2025

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A Colorado whiskey was crowned America’s best at an international spirits competition, beating out hundreds of other liquors for the title.

Talnua Distillery in Arvada was awarded the top whiskey accolade from the American Distilling Institute’s 2025 International Spirits Competition, which announced its winners on Wednesday. Its Bourbon Cask & Stave Series Whiskey was awarded the highest marks in the category, earning the title of America’s Greatest Whiskey 2025.

Competition director Eric Zandona said 290 whiskeys were entered into this year’s contest, though that number includes recipes from across the world. In all, 700 spirits were entered into the competition, which started in 2007.

Judges evaluate flights of spirits based on their overall quality and taste, assigning each one a score from 0 to 100. Spirits that score 90 points or more earn a gold medal, and judges can award a double gold if they believe the liquor is exemplary in its style (i.e. bourbon, single malt, rye, etc.). Those that earn both gold and double gold medals get considered for the “best in class” honor. Only one gets crowned the greatest among its category (i.e. vodka, gin, whiskey, agave, etc.).

Taluna’s spirit rose above all other whiskeys, across all the different styles, that were made stateside. The distillery is unique in that it uses a pot still method, similar to many Irish whiskeys. That method requires the use of a copper pot still and a distinct mash bill, which is half malted barley and half unmalted barley. The unmalted barley plays prominently in the flavor profile of Talnua’s various whiskeys, as well as its house-made gins.

The Bourbon Cask & Stave Series Whiskey, specifically, is aged in former bourbon barrels for three years along with charred oak staves, giving it bright floral, new mown hay, and vanilla bean notes, according to the distillery’s website. Patrick Miller, Talnua’s founder and master distiller, said by email that introducing the staves creates complexity in the flavor beyond what a single cask can offer.

“As a Colorado distillery rooted in tradition and driven by curiosity, it means a lot to be recognized among such respected peers. Honors like this don’t come around often, especially for smaller teams like ours, and we’re grateful,” Miller added in his statement.

Talnua also earned a gold medal for its American White Oak Cask Bottled in Bond whiskey, and a silver for its Old Saint’s Keep whiskey released in 2025. But it wasn’t the only local distiller to bring home awards.

Stranahan’s in Denver earned five medals total, including two double-gold, two gold and one silver; Pullman Distillery in Frisco brought home two bronze medals; Littleton’s Rocker Spirits collected two silvers; and Salida Distillery garnered one silver and one bronze.