Colorado is known for making some of the world’s best beer, but according to judges at the recent London Spirits Competition, the state is also home to the best whiskey you can find across the globe.
Last week, winners of the international competition’s ninth edition were announced and the Loveland-based Root Shoot Spirits’ American Single Malt Whiskey took top honors. Judges awarded the whiskey, which is made with 100% Colorado-grown grain, a double-gold medal with 97 out of a possible 100 points. Scores are based on aroma, flavor, body and other tasting notes, as well the value for cost, but unlike beer competitions, this contest is not judged entirely blind, as labels and shelf appeal are also factored into the score.
That score was enough to put it atop the proverbial podium and earned Root Shoot the title of Whisky of the Year, beating out of all the other global entries. It was also awarded American Single Malt Whiskey of the Year and Spirit of the Year U.S.A.
Root Shoot Spirits is a sister company to Root Shoot Malting, which is owned by fifth-generation farmer Todd Olander. The company grows about 700 acres of barley that it then kilns and roasts for brewers and distillers throughout the state. In 2023, it debuted its first whiskey — the recent award winner — to “express the farm and the malthouse through a spirit,” Olander previously told The Denver Post.
Root Shoot Spirits American Single Malt Whiskey boasts aromas of cobbler and honey granola, and floral and spicy flavors. It wowed judges at the London competition in 2025, too, when it was crowned the best American-made single malt. In a statement, Olander gave credit to the locally grown ingredients.
“You can’t recognize Root Shoot Whiskey without also acknowledging the power of Colorado agriculture — from the high altitude, to the soil, to the people working the land,” Olander said. “This is a special place that produces special malts and whiskies.”
The only other local spirit to win double gold (95 points or more) was Stranahan’s Original, made by Denver’s Stranahan’s distillery. The company won several other accolades, including gold medals (90-95 points) for Stranahan’s Blue Peak, Stranahan’s Sherry Cask., Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 12-Year, and Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Local Brewer’s Cask.
For the full list of winners, visit London Spirits Competition’s website.
