In honor of the Hall of Fame bourbon, we toast with two glasses of bourbon.
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This is the second part of a series about the best bourbon in the world and whether such a thing even exists. To answer this question, we looked at the bourbons that won the most medals at the biggest liquor competitions of the past decade and compiled a second “Bourbon Hall of Fame” list of the most medaled bourbons. For space reasons, we limited the awards list to the top five.
Not a week goes by without a spirits contest or whiskey magazine announcing the world's best bourbon. In 2023, more than 50 bourbons earned the title of world's best. While they were all outstanding, it seems like an oxymoron to name more than 50 bourbons as the world's best bourbons.
There are over 2,000 bourbons on the market today. About 100 of the top 5% consistently rank at the top. Selecting the world's best from these contenders is a highly subjective exercise, regardless of the quality of the judging.
Which one you personally consider to be the best will largely depend on your preferred style of bourbon. All of these brands are worthy of a place in the Bourbon Hall of Fame, and any one of them could be considered the best bourbon in the world.
This is the second of a four-part series examining the most medal-winning bourbons. Parts 1 and 2 examine the major manufacturers' “Hall of Fame” bourbons, and Parts 3 and 4 examine the craft manufacturers' “Hall of Fame” bourbons.
1792 Full Proof is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. It is a high-proof bourbon known for its bold flavor and rich, intense character. It undergoes a rigorous aging process and is bottled at its original strength, ensuring a bold taste.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Full Proof Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Gold
Rich caramel, dark fruit, oak and a hint of cinnamon. The mouthfeel is powerful and full-bodied, with caramel, vanilla and baking spice flavours. The finish is long, warm and slightly sweet with a lingering spice note.
Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year
Photo courtesy of Heaven Hill
Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.
This single barrel bourbon is aged for 10 years and bottled in bond, and has received numerous accolades for its rich, complex flavor.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Best in Show Whisky
World Whisky Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 96 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The aroma is caramel, vanilla, oak and a hint of spice. In the mouth, it has a rich and full-bodied taste with honey, butterscotch and a hint of fruit. The aftertaste is a well-balanced mix of sweetness and spice, with a long and satisfying taste.
Parker's Heritage Collection 24 Year is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Parker's Heritage Collection is a highly popular limited edition bourbon released annually in honor of the late head distiller Parker Beam, and the 24 Year Old Edition is one of the oldest and most revered bourbons in the collection.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 97 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
It has a rich aroma of toffee, caramel, dried fruit and a hint of oak. The taste is deep and complex, with dark chocolate, roasted nuts and a hint of spice. The aftertaste is long and smooth, with a lingering aftertaste of oak and spice.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is produced by Old Forester Distilling Company in Louisville, Kentucky.
Released annually to celebrate the birthday of Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown, this limited edition bourbon is known for its rich, complex flavor and highly collectable value.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
It has a rich aroma of vanilla, caramel, spices and a hint of dried fruit. The mouthfeel is rich with overlapping flavors of toffee, oak and dark chocolate. The aftertaste is long and warm, with a smooth and lingering sweetness.
Stag Junior is one of the most decorated bourbons of all time and a worthy Hall of Fame bourbon.
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery
Stag Jr. is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. Stag Jr. is the little brother of the hugely popular George T. Stagg Bourbon, offering the same bold, powerful flavor at a more affordable price.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Gold
It has a rich aroma of caramel, vanilla, dark fruits and a hint of spice. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and rich, with toffee, oak and cinnamon flavors. The aftertaste is long, warm, slightly sweet and leaves a lingering spice note.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is an uncut, unfiltered bourbon bottled directly from the barrel, delivering bold, rich flavor.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Barrel Proof Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The nose is caramel, vanilla, spices and a hint of oak. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and powerful, with toffee, dark chocolate and spices. The aftertaste is long and warm, with a lingering sweetness.
Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year is currently produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve series is one of the world's most popular bourbons, known for its rich, complex flavor and limited quantities.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 98 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The nose is caramel, vanilla, dark fruit and a hint of spice. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and smooth, with toffee, oak and dark chocolate flavours. The aftertaste is long and warm, with a lingering sweetness and spice.
The Pappy Van Winkle series is one of the most decorated whiskeys ever, all of which are worthy of induction into the Bourbon Hall of Fame.
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Trade Distillery
Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon is produced at Michter's Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Michter's 10 Year is a highly regarded single barrel bourbon known for its deep, complex flavor and limited quantities.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 96 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The nose is caramel, vanilla, oak and a hint of spice. The taste is deep and complex, with toffee, dark chocolate and spice notes. The aftertaste is long and warm, with a lingering sweetness and spice.
George T. Stagg is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
George T. Stagg is one of the most highly regarded bourbons in the world, known for its bold, rich flavor and high alcohol content.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Best in Show Whisky
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 97 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The nose is filled with caramel, vanilla, dark fruit and a hint of spice. In the mouth, the flavours of toffee, oak and cinnamon are strong. The aftertaste is long, warm and slightly sweet with a hint of spice.
William LaRue Weller
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Trade Distillery
William LaRue Weller is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
William LaRue Weller is part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and is known for its rich, complex flavors and high alcohol content.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 98 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The nose is caramel, vanilla, dark fruit and a hint of spice. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and smooth, with toffee, oak and dark chocolate flavours. The aftertaste is long and warm.
These bourbon expressions, along with the ten listed in Part I, represent some of the world's most renowned and award-winning spirits. Meticulously crafted at their respective distilleries, they reflect a deep commitment to quality and tradition. These expressions have earned their place among the best through innovative production methods, unique aging processes, and a dedication to preserving the art of bourbon making.
Winning numerous awards at prestigious international competitions is a testament to the excellence they bring to the bourbon category, making it more than just a drink, but an experience to be savoured by whiskey lovers around the world. If you're a bourbon lover, you've probably tried them all, and if you haven't, it's time to give them a try.
These selections are the finest available for those seeking a rich, complex, and satisfying bourbon experience. They are all “Hall of Fame” bourbons, and any one of them could rightfully claim the crown of best bourbon in the world. It's up to you to decide which one takes the crown!
For more information about the major bourbons, see Bourbon Hall of Fame: The World's Most Acclaimed Whiskey. Also see Bourbon Hall of Fame: The Most Acclaimed Craft Whiskey and Bourbon Elite: Other Most Acclaimed Craft Whiskeys.
Hall of Fame is an ongoing series showcasing the spirits and wine brands that have won the most medals at major global competitions. Stay tuned for upcoming features including Hall of Fame tequilas, rums, gins, vodkas, brandies, whiskeys, leading wine varietals, wine producing regions and the world's top beers.
