Stranahan’s Snowflake Redcloud Peak Named Best in Class at 2025 SFWSC
Stranahan’s®, the country’s leading American single malt whiskey, has once again taken top honors at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, earning Best in Class American Single Malt Whiskey for its limited-edition Snowflake Redcloud Peak.
The win marks the second year in a row the brand has claimed the category’s highest accolade, following last year’s victory with Stranahan’s Original—further cementing its position as the most-awarded American single malt.
A cult-favorite winter release since 2011, Snowflake is known for its rare, globally sourced cask finishes and its fiercely loyal fanbase, many of whom camp outside the Denver distillery each December to secure one of the few bottles available. True to its philosophy that no two Snowflakes are alike, Redcloud Peak delivers an entirely new expression crafted by Head Blender Justin Aden. Influenced by casks from Spain, Hungary, and the American bourbon belt, the 94-proof release offers layers of toffee, candied nectarine, smoked honey, praline, raspberries, and maraschino, finishing round and subtly sweet.
This latest accolade also arrives at a pivotal moment for the category: American single malt was recently recognized by the U.S. government as an official, legally defined whiskey style—the first new category classification in more than half a century.
“To be named Best American Single Malt by some of the most discerning palates in the industry is an extraordinary honor. This recognition affirms not only the work we do at Stranahan’s, but also the promise and emerging presence of the American single malt category on the world stage,” said Stranahan’s Head Blender, Justin Aden.
“I’ve had the privilege of building on Stranahan’s singular recipe, perfected over more than 21 years, and exploring its potential through longer maturation and an expanded repertoire of cask finishes. Our Snowflake expressions invite bold exploration in the service of creating unique and wonderfully expressive whiskeys that can challenge the finest single malts from around the world.”
Stranahan’s Snowflake Redcloud Peak leads a year of remarkable wins for the brand. Recognized at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, it was part of a portfolio sweep, with every Stranahan’s core and limited-release whiskey earning Gold or Double Gold medals. This milestone adds to more than 100 awards the brand has collected in 2025 alone, solidifying its leadership in American single malt as the #1 most awarded. Other notable wins this year include:
Best American Single Malt Whiskey by the Beverage Testing Institute – Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Mountain Angel 10-Year-Old
Best of Show at the Denver International Spirits Competition – Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Blue Peak
1st Place Best Single Malt 10 Year and Older Whiskey at the International Whiskey Competition – Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Mountain Angel 10-Year-Old
American Single Malt Whiskey of the Year at the Bartender Spirit Awards – Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Original
Best American Single Malt Whiskey at the ADI Competition – Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Mountain Angel 10-Year-Old
Best Single Malt Whiskey at the 2025 Los Angeles Invitational Wine and Spirits Challenge – Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Mountain Angel 10-Year-Old
Stranahan’s is gearing up to launch its next Snowflake Release this year on December 6. Fans can sign up to learn more at stranahans.com/events/snowflake.
About Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey
Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey is the number one and most-awarded American single malt. Founded more than 20 years ago as a category pioneer, its American single malt whiskey is composed of 100% malted barley and cut with Eldorado Spring water, aged in new American white oak barrels. From grain to glass, Stranahan’s whiskey is distilled and bottled at its Colorado distillery, the state’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. The brand opened Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge in Aspen in 2024, near where its founders met more than two decades ago and first made their whiskey.
Lodge guests can enjoy innovative cocktails, elevated alpine-inspired bites, and pours of rare American single malt whiskey among majestic mountain views. Stranahan’s expressions include Original, Blue Peak, Sherry Cask, Diamond Peak, Mountain Angel 10-Year-Old, Mountain Angel 12-Year-Old, Aspen Exclusive Calvados Cask, the ultra-limited-edition annual release, Snowflake, and a series of distillery and experimental exclusives. As one of the first American single malts, Stranahan’s is committed to building recognition and admiration for the category globally. To learn more, visit Stranahans.com.
Stranahan’s® Colorado Whiskey. 47% Alc./Vol. (94 proof). ©2025 Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, stranahans.com. Please drink Stranahan’s® Colorado Whiskey responsibly.
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