Whisky Advocate caps off a year of tasting hundreds of bourbons, scotches, and more with its annual Top 20 list, showcasing the most exciting whiskies that balance high score, affordable price, great availability, and inimitable x-factor. The 2020 winners span the spectrum of diversity in the whisky world, with the Whisky of the Year celebrated for standing out in a field of strong competitors.

While Scotland is the cradle of single malt, dozens of other countries are putting their own spin on it, and in this issue we go exploring, from the far reaches of the Arctic to Oceania in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover the richness of this global whisky style, and find out what we think will be the next great single malt nation.

Also in this issue, we offer a comprehensive explainer on kosher whiskies, highlight the versatility of blended malt scotches, and serve up delicious baked goods made with whisky. Plus, the Whisky Advocate Buying Guide features over 150 new reviews—and there's much more to enjoy.