{"id":7495267,"date":"2026-04-27T13:54:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T19:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/?p=7495267"},"modified":"2026-04-27T15:47:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T21:47:18","slug":"root-shoot-best-whiskey-world-london-spirits-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2026\/04\/27\/root-shoot-best-whiskey-world-london-spirits-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado whiskey named world’s best at international competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colorado is known for making some of the world\u2019s best beer<\/a>, but according to judges at the recent London Spirits Competition<\/a>, the state is also home to the best whiskey you can find across the globe.<\/p>\n

Last week, winners of the international competition\u2019s ninth edition were announced and the Loveland-based Root Shoot Spirits<\/a>\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

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.\n

Root Shoot Spirits is a sister company to Root Shoot Malting<\/a>, 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<\/a> \u2014 the recent award winner \u2014 to \u201cexpress the farm and the malthouse through a spirit,\u201d Olander previously told The Denver Post.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. In a statement, Olander gave credit to the locally grown ingredients.<\/p>\n