The World’s Best Bourbons, According To The 2024 San Fransisco World Spirits Competition

In the world of bourbon, two categories stand head and shoulders above the rest in the eyes of whiskey lovers: single-barrel and small-batch bourbons. Renowned for their unique flavors, meticulous craftsmanship, and the sheer artistry involved in their creation, these bottles often set the bar in the space.

Distillers fastidiously select the best barrels for both styles, ensuring that only those with exceptional flavors make the cut. This rigorous selection process ensures a premium product that showcases the best of a distillery’s offerings.

Small-batch bourbons are like paintings made by a distillery. Crafted from a blend of barrels picked for their distinctive flavors, they are layered beauties. Each sip opens a window into the heart of any distilling operation, highlighting its prowess, and this allows an excellent small-batch bourbon to stand apart from a mass-produced bourbon.

On the other hand, single-barrel bourbons are the snowflakes of the bourbon world. No two releases are alike because each bottling comes from a single barrel, ensuring each has its distinctive flavor profile. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and wood quality can all influence the final product, creating a one-of-a-kind tasting experience.

Both single barrel and small batch bourbons represent the zenith of whiskey making and, as such, are highly sought after. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious annual events of its kind, just released its finalists lists for its Best in Class awards, which will be announced in October. All these bottles are also in the running for the Best in Show Bourbon Award.

Here are the crème de la crème of the bourbon world, many of which are destined to become highly sought-after bottlings. If you can lay your hands on any of them, don’t hesitate; you won’t be sorry. Where applicable, the judge’s notes for the bottles are included.

Small Batch Bourbon – Up to 5 Years

Old Hansford Cask Strength Bourbon, 59.2% ALC, Texas

Smokeye Hill Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof, 65.5% ALC, Colorado.

Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut, Batch #12, 60.88% ALC, Nevada.

Storyhouse Spirits Straight Bourbon, 45% ALC, California.

Neeley Family Distillery Hidden Barn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Series One Batch 23B, 55.05% ALC, Kentucky.

The judges described this as a perfectly balanced bourbon.

Small Batch Bourbon – 6-10 Years

Mystic Farm & Distillery Broken Oak, 50% ALC, North Carolina.

Blue Run Trifecta, 58.55% ALC, Kentucky.

Small Batch Bourbon – 11 Years and Older

Pure Antique 20-Year Straight Bourbon, 57.7% ALC, Kentucky.

George Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years, 45% ALC, Tennessee.

Widow Jane Lucky 13 Bourbon, 46.5% ALC, New York.

Single Barrel Bourbon – Up to 10 Years

Rare Character Whiskey KBT Bourbon, 60.5% ALC, Kentucky.

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon, 50% ALC, Kentucky.

The Judges described the tasting notes as strong notes of oak and vanilla.

Very Olde St. Nick Straight Outta Bardstown, 65.05% ALC, Kentucky.

The judges described tasting notes of allspice and oak.

Frank August Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Cask Strength, Barrel No: 0006, 59.7% ALC, Kentucky.

The judges described rich tasting notes of honey, caramel, and molasses.

Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year, 50% ALC, Kentucky.

The judges described this as having solid standard bourbon notes.

Art of The Spirits Cask Strength “Airmen” Straight Bourbon, 58.4% ALC, Colorado.

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