The Winners of The First Annual Distiller Awards

December 29, 2017

With 2017 coming to an end, we here at Distiller are excited to announce the first annual Distiller Awards. These are our picks for the best releases of 2017, as well as the highest rated spirits of 2017 as decided by our users, and the awards for the Distiller users of the year.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Distiller’s 2017 Spirits Of The Year

2017 saw many delicious and impressive releases across all of the major spirits categories. We looked back over our reviews of every spirit that debuted in 2017 to select our favorites of the year.

Criteria: Must have been released in 2017 and received a high score from our Tasting Table.

Whisk(e)y Of The Year – 2017:
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 Cask Strength Quarter Cask Edition

Rum Of The Year – 2017:
Appleton Estate Joy Anniversary Blend

Agave Spirit Of The Year – 2017:
El Tesoro Extra Añejo 80th Anniversary

Brandy Of The Year – 2017:
Pierre Ferrand Reserve Double Cask Cognac

Gin Of The Year – 2017:
Empress 1908 Gin

Vodka Of The Year – 2017:
Nikka Coffey Vodka

The Highest User Rated Spirits in 2017

In 2017 users rated spirits hundreds of thousands of times. Out of all of those ratings across thousands of different spirits, a few received more attention than any others.

Criteria: We tallied all of the user ratings in 2017 to determine the five most rated spirits in each category, then selected the spirit with the highest average rating.

Highest User Rated Whisk(e)y in 2017:
Lagavulin 16 Year | 2017 Average User Rating: 4.42

Highest User Rated Rum in 2017:
Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum | 2017 Average User Rating: 4.49

Highest User Rated Agave Spirit in 2017:
Clase Azul Reposado Tequila | 2017 Average User Rating: 4.72

Highest User Rated Brandy in 2017:
Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal Cognac | 2017 Average User Rating: 4.38

Highest User Rated Gin in 2017:
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin | 2017 Average User Rating: 4.69

Highest User Rated Vodka in 2017:
Tito’s Vodka | 2017 Average User Rating: 4.08

The 2017 Distiller User Awards

The heart of Distiller is the amazing community of spirits consumers from all over the world. This year we wanted to honor some of the most active users in the community.

Reviewer Of The Year:
Joe_C

Criteria: The most tasting notes written in 2017. Tasting Notes had to be public and represent a thought out opinion about the spirit beyond a few words.

Conversation Starter:
PBMichiganWolverine

Criteria: The user that commented on the most tasting notes in 2017. Comments had to actively participate in the conversation beyond simple one word responses.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!


With Distiller, you’ll always know what’s in the bottle before you spend a cent. Rate, Review, and Discover spirits! Head on over to Distiller, or download the app for iOS and Android today!

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