America's Top Bourbon, According To International Wine & Spirit Comp
Toasting with a glass of bourbon.
Over 50 bourbons earned top honors at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition judging of American whiskey recently held in Kentucky. Below is a summary of the top-ranked bourbons, along with links to more detailed background information and tasting notes for each winner.
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Barrel Strength Whiskey, 59.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100
Jefferson's Reserve Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Whiskey, 65% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100
Hazelwood Spirits Company, Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 5 Years Old, 67.1% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 94/100
Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B524 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 65.3% Abv, 750 ml Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100
Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Whiskey Barrel Proof C924 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 11 Years Old, 64.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100
Old Dominick Distillery, Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 61.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 92/100
Pinhook, 5 Year Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 59.1% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 91/100.
For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top Cask Strength Bourbons From the International Wine & Spirit Competition
H.K. Young Bourbon Co., Toasted Barrel Finished Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 45.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100
RD1 Spirits, Finished with Japanese Mizunara and French Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 61.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 92/100
Angel's Envy, Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 43.3% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 91/100
Bardstown Bourbon Company, Collaboration Series Ferrand Whiskey. 12 Years Old, 56% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 91/100
15 Stars, Three Ports Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 90/100
Angel's Envy, 2024 Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 59.4% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 90/100
For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Best Cask Finished Bourbon From The International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Praedictum, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 56% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100
Frank August, Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 60.7% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100
Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve, Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 55% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 94/100
Blanton Distilling Company/Buffalo Trace, Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100
Blanton Distilling Company, The Gold Edition Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 51.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 92/100
Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Family Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 72.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 91/100
Blanton Distilling Company, Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 62% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 90/100
The Old Steelhouse's Blueprint Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 92/100.
For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top Single Cask Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Single barrel bourbons in a Glencairn whiskey glass
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score 94/100
Angel's Envy, Cask Strength Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 92/100
Heaven Hill, Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 90/100
For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top-Rated Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100
Heaven Hill, Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 47% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100
15 Stars First West Small Batch Whiskey, 51% ABV, 5 Years Old, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100
Fathertime Bourbon, Second Child Syndrome: Empty Nester Strength Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 59.4% ABV, 750 ml Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100
Castle & Key Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 51% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold 2025, Score: 95/100
Fathertime Bourbon, Firstborn Edition Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.2% ABV, 750 ml. 92/100 points;
Fathertime Bourbon, Second Child Syndrome Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.2% ABV, 750 ml. 91/100 and
Fathertime Bourbon, The Middle Child Mystery Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.2% ABV, 750 ml. 91/100
For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Top Small Batch Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition.
King's Family Distillery, Tennessee Standard Blended Bourbon Whiskey, 59% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold Outstanding, Score: 98/100
15 Stars, First West Extra Aged Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score: 95/100
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey, 54.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 94/100
Blue Run Spirits, Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey, 55.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 94/100
Peg Leg Porker (Teal Hollow Distilling) Black Label Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100
Heaven Hill, Evan Williams 1783 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 2025, Score: 93/100
Heaven Hill Distillery, Grain To Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100
The Difference Bourbon, The Foundation Whiskey, 54.1% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100
Pinhook Vertical Series 9 YO Bourbon Whiskey, 57.2% abv, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100
Wild Turkey, 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score: 93/100
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey's 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.6% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 91/100.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 47% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver 91/100
Wild Turkey, 101 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50.5% ABV, 750ml. Spirit Silver, Score 90/10
Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 7-Years-Old, 49.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score 90/100
Smooth Ambler's Old Scout 7-Year-Old, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Silver, Score, 90/100.
For a more detailed background and tasting notes on these whiskeys, see Gold Medal Bourbon From The International Wine & Spirit Competition
Charring a white oak bourbon barrels. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
Rock Town Distillery Bourbon Y'all Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100
Frank August Case Study: 05 Wheated Reserve 5 Barrel Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 52.3% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100
Heaven Hill Distillery Grain To Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, 53.3% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100
O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey Uncharted Kentucky Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, 46% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100
Wilderness Trail Distillery Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. Spirit Gold, Score 95/100
The 2025 IWSC American whiskey judging highlighted some of the top bourbons in America. All of these bourbons are outstanding, offering a diverse range of aroma and flavor profiles. Stylistically, the wheated bourbons were the standouts, but regardless of your bourbon preferences, you are bound to find a whiskey that suits your palate among these top-rated medal winners—time to start tasting.
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