Whisky enthusiasts and distilleries around the world are reeling after a Japanese single malt was named the best in the world.
Seen as an authority on the tipple, the latest edition of Jim Murray’s World Whisky Bible has crowned the Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 as the world’s best, besting Scottish competition for the first time.
The expert himself described the beverage as “near incredible genius”, awarding a score of 97.5 out of 100 - partly owing to its “nose of exquisite boldness”. Murray’s publication reviewed 4,500 different whiskies and declared the Japanese winner to be a wake up call for Scottish distilleries.
As if that was not enough of a snub to erstwhile Scottish stalwarts, an English whisky was named Europe’s best; Chapter 14 Not Peated, from the English Whisky Company.
This year's winners: