As the pioneer of American Single Malt (ASM) whiskey and the most awarded brand in the category, Stranahan’s has helped define and elevate the standard for American-made single malts. Year after year, this Colorado-born whiskey continues to lead the field, outperforming an increasingly competitive landscape with bold character, impeccable quality, and trailblazing innovation.
In 2024, Stranahan’s took home Best in Class at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most respected judging panels in the industry. Additional accolades include Best in Show at the Denver International Spirits Competition, high honors from the 2025 International Whiskey Competition, and consistent wins at the 2024 Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards.
If you’re already a Stran-a-fan, you likely know the history behind American Single Malt and our origin story, our commitment, and our passion, but awards are not won on lore alone.
Why Stranahan’s Stands Out
As America’s most awarded Single Malt, Stranahan’s has earned much respect among its global peers, setting a new standard in the category.
But what makes Stranahan’s American Single Malt whiskey so distinctive?
Our ingredients, barrel program, and high-altitude aging speak to our location, both locally and regionally. The standards for ASM were established by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, but distillers have considerable creative leeway beyond the stated production standards.
Our spirits mature at over 5,000 feet elevation in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, where cooler temperatures and low atmospheric pressure create conditions that intensify flavor and aroma. This is how our whiskey develops its signature richness and depth.
Why does high-altitude aging matter? High elevations are often cooler. Evaporation is often higher than it would be at lower elevations. Hence, the whiskey becomes more concentrated, taking on additional flavors and aromas from the barrel.
Barrels matter, too. Stranahan’s is aged in different types of barrels and, in most cases, blended to achieve our house style. Some special bottlings, like Stranahan’s Sherry Cask, are aged in barrels previously filled with Sherry, adding an extra layer of complexity.
Combining new and older barrels, along with innovative blending techniques, helps us achieve distinct styles such as those found in Diamond Peak, or Mountain Angel 12 Year, a unique premium single malt whiskey finished in port wine barrels.
Every sip of Stranahan’s is an adventure in whiskey enjoyment and an invitation to discover the very best.
What Makes a Whiskey Award-Winning?
To stand head and shoulders above the competition, a whiskey must have distinct attributes that speak to its quality and craftsmanship: the very hallmarks of award-winning whiskey. During the judging process of spirits competitions, all entries are tasted blind to ensure the judges arrive at an unbiased assessment. Tasting blind removes personal biases from the judging process, allowing judges to focus on the product’s qualitative aspects.
Judges chosen to adjudicate the competition are specialists in specific spirits categories and inherently know what qualities they are looking for. In other words, it’s not just a matter of “I like this whiskey.” It has to do with what makes a whiskey great.
Prestigious competitions have stringent requirements that keep the identity of each product a secret until the scores are tallied. ASM entries are grouped with other American Single Malts and often with spirits of a similar age and style, allowing for comparative analysis at the highest levels and ensuring objectivity.
Spirits are evaluated by panels of judges and often undergo two or more panels to ensure consistency and fairness. Judges assess each whiskey using sight, smell, and taste. What they perceive on the nose can be very different from the palate, and the spirit’s finish and overall balance count for a lot.
- Nose. The aroma sets the first impression. Stranahan’s is consistently praised for its bold, expressive nose—thanks in part to high-altitude aging in the Colorado Rockies, which intensifies aroma and depth.
- Taste. Flavor complexity and texture define the spirit’s character. The layers found in Stranahan’s—rich malt, stone fruit, toasted oak, and a touch of spice—are exactly the kind of attributes that continually earn it gold medals.
- Finish. A long, resonant finish is one of the key markers of a great whiskey. Stranahan’s finish is frequently noted by judges for its smoothness, structure, and satisfying linger—qualities that helped it secure Best in Class in the American Single Malt category.
- Balance. The harmony between aroma, flavor, oak influence, and alcohol is what separates good from great. Stranahan’s signature balance is a common thread across its most celebrated expressions, from Mountain Angel 12 Year to Diamond Peak.
Stranahan’s delivers on these criteria year after year, highlighting a commitment to craft and quality that outperforms its peers with unparalleled consistency. For whiskey lovers, each sip reflects not just accolades, but the kind of quality and character expected from a top-tier American Single Malt.
Global Recognition, Year After Year
Stranahan’s continues to earn the respect of global peers and critics alike.
In 2024, Stranahan’s won Best in Class in the American Single Malt category, elevating its star to the pinnacle of what is arguably a crowded category. Stranahan’s has also earned two of the five finalist positions for the 2025 competition’s Best in Class honors, with winners to be announced later this year. Following up on previous years’ gold and double gold medals, Stranahan’s was also recognized as the distillery of the year by the Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards and the New York International Spirits Competition. At the Denver International Spirits Competition, Stranahan’s took home Best of Show in 2025.
Ready to experience the best in American Single Malt? Browse our Awards and Accolades and shop our award-winning whiskey collection.
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