James Bay Distillers Wins 2 'Best of Class' Awards at California's Craft Distillers Spirits Competition

Everett, WA.   James Bay Distillers announced that two of their whiskies won "Best of Class" awards at the 2024 California Craft Distillers' Spirits Competition. 

James Bay Distillers' first seven year whiskey, Galloping Goose Canadian Whisky/Cognac-Cask Finish was awarded a 96-point double-gold-medal and named Best Canadian Whisky in the 2024 competition.   Bottled at 88-proof, the whisky boasts a bourbon mash bill, first aged 3 years in Canada and then finished four more years at James Bay's distillery at Paine Field Airport in Everett.  Judges remarked that the whiskey was "classic, elegant, spicy (with notes of) butterscotch."

The company's vintage-labeled Everett Liquor Co. bourbon won a 94-point gold-medal and was named the Best Straight Bourbon.   In early 2024 James Bay Distillers revived the historic Everett Liquor Co. brand, which operated in Everett from 1902 until 1916 when Washington State imposed dry laws.  The whiskey is a 4-year, 100% corn mash bill finished in medium char barrels.  This whiskey was previously a gold-medal award-winner at the John Barleycorn Competition, described by the judges as ". . . a damn fine bourbon . . !"

Both whiskies are available at the distillery and online at the company's sales site:  JamesBay.DistillerySpirits.com.   The distillery is open Tuesday-Sunday for tastings, cocktails and bottle sales.  Since opening in 2019, founders Ernest and Leigh Troth have distilled and produced an array of super premium more than 16 whiskies, gins and vodkas.  One vodka has been rated by Wine Enthusiast as "1 of the top 9 in the U.S.," and a gin "1 of the top 12 gins."