Adnams Rye Malt Whisky has won ‘Best English Rye’ at the World Whiskies Awards, for the second year in a row. Made with the rye grown by our Chairman, Jonathan Adnams, just up the road from the distillery, it demonstrates that world-class products can be produced sustainably in Suffolk.

 

The World Whiskies Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all the internationally recognised styles. They award and promote the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe, and the Taste Awards categories are based upon the common groupings that define the style and process of whisky production.

 

The awards select the very best with a panel that includes international, leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers, and industry experts. During judging, each whisky is tasted in its relevant style, and Style Winners are evaluated to identify the ‘Best’ whisky in each category. Our Rye Malt Whisky was declared Best English Rye, securing top honours in its category for the second year in a row, having also gained the honour in 2021.

Making quality spirits using the best local ingredients is at the very heart of what we do. Our rye is grown by Adnams Chairman, Jonathan Adnams, at his farm in Reydon, just up the road from our distillery in Southwold. Going from the fields of Reydon to the best in the world clearly shows that following a sustainable grain to glass process enables you to craft world-class products.

 

"Of course, I am particularly delighted that Adnams Rye Whisky has gained recognition at the World Whiskies Awards during the year of Adnams 150th anniversary. Rye cereal is recorded as being grown at Reydon over one thousand years ago and gave our village its name meaning 'Rye on the Hill.‘ Having built the Adnams Copper House Distillery in 2010 , I felt it would be both fun and logical to once again start growing Rye in Reydon, and create a distinctive Rye Whisky as part to the Adnams Spirit range," said Jonathan.

 

The competition dictates that a rye whisky must have at least 51% rye in its mash bill. We’ve used 75% rye, with the remainder being East Anglian malted barley. Rye is a complex grain that creates a thick, syrup-like 'mash' due to its protein structure and ability to retain water. The resulting whisky has great depth and character and a drier, spicier finish.

 

Head Distiller, John McCarthy has the enviable task of monitoring quality: “It’s amazing to find out we have won this great award for the second year running. The recent batch of our Rye Whisky is tasting even better than the last, so we had high hopes submitting it!”

 

Adnams Rye Malt Whisky has been matured in new French oak for at least five years before bottling. In the judges’ words: “Sweet cinnamon spice on the nose, with vanilla, citrus and buttery pastry. The palate is soft, sweet and gently spicy, with liquorice, caraway and brown sugar. Fruitiness builds into the finish.”

 

Delicious on its own, or in any classic whisky cocktail. Drink neat, over ice or with a drop of water, according to taste.