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William Larue Weller, by Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace Distillery, was named World Whisky of the Year, marking the third year in a row an American whiskey has claimed the top spot in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, a revered industry guide.

American whiskey has been experiencing a boom both domestically and abroad in recent years. In 2017, the sale of American whiskey across the U.S. increased 8.1%, or US$252 million, to US$3.4 billion, according to Distilled Spirits Council, a trade association representing the leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits in the U.S.

By comparison, the sale of Irish whiskey in the U.S. was about US$897 million.

The wheated bourbon William Larue Weller, distilled in 2005 and released last year, is soft and smooth, with subtle flavors of caramel, marshmallows, and vanilla. It was named after William Larue Weller, one of Kentucky’s early whiskey pioneers, who was said to be the first to use wheat rather than rye in the mash bill. (American whiskey is spelled with a “e,” unlike Scottish whisky.)

“William Larue Weller 128.2 proof is a great example of our commitment to quality. It’s an all-around great bourbon and we think its bold flavor speaks for itself,” Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer of Buffalo Trace Distillery, told Penta.

The whiskey is priced on average at US$1,600 per bottle.

Thomas Handy Sazerac Straight Rye, another whiskey from the family-owned company that dates back to 1773, was named the third best. Glen Grant 18, a Scottish whisky, was this year’s runner up.

“Demand for our bourbons is continuing to grow across the board. As more people discover the spirit, we think they appreciate the rich history and time-honored traditions that go into each bottle—not to mention the taste,” Brown says.

Additionally, it is also the second straight year that a Buffalo Trace whiskey topped the list. In 2018, the distillery’s Colonel EH Taylor Four Grain was picked as the world’s best.

“These wins are special to us because we hold Jim’s palate in the highest esteem, but also because they are a testament to the skill and craft of the men and women of Buffalo Trace, who consistently produce the best whiskies in the world,” Brown says.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, in its 15th edition, evaluates and rates over 4,600 whiskies around the world. Murray, a London-based whiskey critic, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on his picks.

In 2017, another American whiskey, Booker’s Rye 13 Year Old, a high-rye (at 68.1%), intense and spicy whiskey by Kentucky-based Jim Beam Distillery, was named World Whisky of the Year.