Hall of Fame bourbons include those that have won the most medals in international spirits competitions.
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What is the world's best bourbon? And does such a thing even exist? To answer that question, I looked at the bourbons that won the most medals at the biggest liquor competitions of the past decade and compiled a “Bourbon Hall of Fame” list of the most medaled bourbons. Due to space limitations, I 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 make it to the top of the list. 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 depend largely on the style of bourbon you prefer. All of these bourbons 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 first of a four-part series examining the most medal-winning bourbons. Parts 1 and 2 will examine “Hall of Fame” bourbons from major manufacturers, and Parts 3 and 4 will examine “Hall of Fame” bourbons from craft manufacturers.
This is the first set of Hall of Fame bourbons, with more to come.
Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery
Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Launched in 1984, it is known as the world's first single barrel bourbon. It has set the standard for premium bourbon and has become an industry staple.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
It has a rich aroma of caramel and vanilla with hints of nuts and spices. In the mouth, it has a rich flavor with aromas of honey, citrus and oak. The aftertaste is long and smooth with a hint of spiciness.
Eagle Rare 10 Year
Eagle Rare 10 Year is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Aged a minimum of 10 years, it is a highly acclaimed bourbon known for its consistent quality and complexity.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points
The nose offers aromas of toffee, orange peel, herbs, honey, leather and oak. In the mouth, the wine has a powerful, dry flavour with rich aromas of candied almonds and cocoa. The finish is long and dry, with lingering aromas of caramel and orange peel.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Photo courtesy of Four Roses
Four Roses Small Batch Select is produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Known for their proprietary blending process, Four Roses combines multiple recipes to create a complex, balanced bourbon.
Awards:
World Whisky Awards: Best Small Batch Bourbon
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Gold
The nose reveals raspberry, clove and nutmeg, while the palate reveals apricot, berry, vanilla and oak flavours. The aftertaste is long and smooth.
Elijah Craig Smallbatch
Elijah Craig Small Batch is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named after Reverend Elijah Craig, best known as the inventor of bourbon, Small Batch is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Gold
The nose has aromas of vanilla beans, sweet fruit and fresh mint. In the mouth, it has aromas of wood, spices, smoke and nutmeg. The aftertaste is long and warm with a spicy kick.
Maker's Mark Cask Strength
Maker's Mark Cask Strength is produced at the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Maker's Mark Cask Strength is an unfiltered, cask-aged version of classic Maker's Mark, characterized by its rich, bold flavor.
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: Master Medal
The nose is caramel, vanilla and a hint of oak. The taste is deep and rich, with toffee, dark chocolate and spices. The aftertaste is warm and sweet, lingering.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Photo courtesy of Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is produced at Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. This whiskey is aged in two separate oak barrels, enhancing the rich flavor and smoothness of the bourbon.
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
The nose offers dark fruit, caramel and charred oak flavours. In the mouth, the flavours of vanilla, honey and spices are layered with a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is long and smooth with a lingering oak aroma.
Knob Creek 9 Year Old
Knob Creek 9 Year is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. Knob Creek is part of Jim Beam's small-batch collection and is characterized by its rich, full-bodied flavor.
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 and toasty oak. The taste is full-bodied with caramel, toffee and spice notes. The finish is long, warm and slightly sweet.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Wild Turkey Rare Breed is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Rare Breed is a barrel-aged bourbon that is bottled directly from the barrel without dilution.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Barrel Proof Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Gold
Aromas of vanilla, spices and a hint of smoke. In the mouth, it has strong, spicy flavors of caramel, vanilla and oak. The aftertaste is long and warm, with a lingering spice note.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Photo courtesy of Old Forester
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is produced at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is part of the Whiskey Row series and features bold flavors reminiscent of the old days.
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: Gold
It has a rich aroma of caramel, vanilla and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is rich and spicy with toffee, oak and dark fruit flavours. The aftertaste is long and warm with lingering spice notes.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Buffalo Trace Bourbon is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of the world's most awarded distilleries, and its namesake bourbon is known for its balanced, complex flavor.
Awards:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
World Whisky Awards: Best Bourbon
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 points
International Wine & Spirits Competition: Gold Award
Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal
The nose has notes of vanilla, mint and molasses. The mouth is sweet with aromas of brown sugar and spices. The finish is long, smooth and warm.
Bourbon Hall of Fame
These bourbon products represent some of the most highly acclaimed and award-winning spirits in the world. Meticulously crafted at their respective distilleries, they reflect a deep commitment to quality and tradition. Innovative production methods, unique aging processes and a dedication to preserving the art of bourbon making have earned these products recognition as the best.
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 on the major bourbons, see Bourbon Elite: Top Rated Other Whiskeys. Also see Bourbon Hall of Fame: Top Rated Craft Whiskeys and Bourbon Elite: Top Rated Other 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.
