A Kentucky distillery swept the bourbon awards at this year's Whisky of the World competition.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery has been recognized as producing the world's best bourbon at the Whiskey of the World competition. Of the hundreds of whiskeys of various styles submitted to this year's competition, only four bourbons earned Best in Class and Double Gold Medal honors. All four were brands owned by Buffalo Trace Distillery. This level of dominance is not something you'd see in most spirits competitions, but Buffalo Trace's success is not entirely unexpected. Buffalo Trace and its reputation for bourbon should probably be officially synonymous at this point. Buffalo Trace also produces Pappy Van Winkle, as well as many other popular brands.
Buffalo Trace's winning bourbons at this year's Whisky of the World may not have the name recognition that Pappy does, but they're no bargain. They're all ultra-premium bourbons, and they come with a hefty price tag. You can expect to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to get your hands on a bottle of any of the winning bourbons listed below. And because bourbon can only be legally produced in the United States, world's best in this case is the same as U.S. best. With those caveats in mind, it's time to take a closer look at these highly acclaimed bourbons that Whisky of the World's expert panel of judges deemed truly world class.
WL Weller 12 Year USA Bourbon Wheated
Weller 12 Year Old was one of the best rated bourbons in the world in this year's “Whiskies of The World … (+)” competition.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
As mentioned above, this bourbon is made at Buffalo Trace Distillery, so it's no surprise that it has received rave reviews from critics. Still, this bourbon fascinates connoisseurs with its smoothness and balance, achieved through a 12-year aging process, longer than most wheated bourbons. This bourbon is known for its moderate sweetness and “aromas of lanolin, almond, creamed corn, and toasty vanilla.”
Blanton's Gold Edition 103 Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
According to a recent competition, Blanton's Gold is one of the best bourbons for 2024.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Blanton's made bourbon history in 1984 when Elmer T. Lee crafted its first single-barrel bourbon and named it after former distillery president Colonel Albert B. Blanton. The 103-proof Gold Edition is the second edition made after the original 93-proof version. Official tasting notes state that it has aromas of spicy rye and tobacco, followed by “caramel and honey, dark fruit and citrus notes.”
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
Eagle Rare is one of the best bourbons in the world according to a recent competition.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
It is aged in oak barrels for approximately 20 years and sold in small quantities once each fall. This bourbon is highly sought after, with previous vintages often fetching thousands of dollars. From the tasting notes: “The aromatic aroma is wine-like with hints of almond, cigar box and cinnamon. The palate is delicate and dry, with flavors of leather, vanilla and tobacco.”
George T. Stagg, Kentucky
George T. Stagg bourbon is one of the best bourbons in the world according to a recent competition.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Proudly uncut and unfiltered, this popular bourbon is named after spirits pioneer George T. Stagg, who built one of the most successful bourbon empires of the 1800s. This 116 proof spirit is aged for nearly 10 years. Tasting notes include “rich toffee sweetness with dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, nougat and molasses aromas,” with underlying notes ranging from coffee to tobacco. This whiskey has received numerous awards and accolades, making it a favorite among connoisseurs and collectors.
From Forbes
The World's Best Bourbon by Forbes San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionBy Erik OfgangForbes 6 Ready-to-Drink Canned Cocktails that Actually Taste GoodBy Erik OfgangForbes Best Micro Bourbon by Forbes International Whiskey CompetitionBy Erik Ofgang
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