The World’s Best Bourbon—According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Competition

The International Wine and Spirits Competition has been happening for fairly a while. In truth, few of its trade counterparts can declare the pedigree and legacy of this annual occasion, initially based in 1969 by world-famous oenologist Anton Massel.

For its 2025 iteration, its esteemed panel of judges reviewed entries from greater than 90 totally different nations throughout the globe, awarding scores — out of 100 — throughout a complete of seven main classes of spirit. Most of these winners have been exhaustively showcased on our site.

However immediately we’re taking a better have a look at what was deemed the 12 months’s finest bottle of bourbon: Frank August Small Batch. It’s hardly a family identify. After incomes the next rating than every other American whiskey on the 2025 IWSC, that’s absolutely about to vary. Right here’s all the things you could know concerning the $77 choice, including how to get your hands on it.

Frank August is a non-distilling producer. This launch comes from Kentucky, aged for no less than 4 years, and bottled at 100 proof. Though “small batch” has no authorized which means within the eyes of federal labeling legal guidelines, this one is believed to be assembled from 10-15 barrels per launch.

Based on the judges who sampled it at IWSC — a 4 individual panel, which included honored grasp distiller, Dr. Bill Lumsden — this can be a whiskey with a very fruity mix of undertones. Listed here are the precise tasting notes offered by the competitors:

“The alluring aroma presents a pleasant mixture of apple tart, custard, and intriguing dried apricots. On the palate, a refined medley of buckwheat honey, dried apricots, vanilla, and heat spice unfolds, whereas the end gives a satisfying trace of leather-based.”

After sampling the spirit, we will say that the dried apricot ingredient is especially poignant. We’d additionally add that it mines boldness in physique with out overwhelming the palate with any alcoholic warmth; an acrobatic act that eludes many lesser choices. The closest comparability it conjured to our tongue was from a high-rye Buffalo Hint expressions, like Blanton’s or Elmer T. Lee. Good firm to be counted amongst. And in contrast to these different choices, Frank August isn’t preciously allotted.

It’s, nevertheless, sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery — although, some web sleuths have instructed a Wilderness Trail provenance. Wherever it comes from, the bourbon in the end leads to a chic, nondescript decanter. It’s truly considerably conspicuous in its inconspicuous presentation. Because the model was launched in 2022 by Johnathan Crocker, a former vogue exec, it’s no shock that this can be a bottle that sits fairly on the shelf. And but absent any label, the auburn-hued liquid inside is what’s truly being showcased.

Regardless, the judges sipped this one within the blind. So we all know its packaging had nothing to do with the kudos it acquired. The truth that it appears to be like fairly is only a glad bonus. And one that can absolutely have buddies asking you questions concerning the bottle ought to it find yourself in your shelf within the close to future. Now you’ll have some solutions.