The Bourbon Elite: Ten More Of The World’s Most Highly Rated Whiskeys

This is the second part of our series on the world’s best bourbon and whether there even is such a thing? To answer that question, we looked at the most heavily medaled bourbons from the largest spirit competitions over the last decade and assembled a second “Bourbon Hall of Fame” list of the ones most medaled. For space reasons, we limited the awards list to just the top five.

There isn’t a week that goes by without some spirit competition or whisky magazine announcing their choice for world’s best bourbon. In 2023 there were over 50 bourbons that claimed the title of world’s best. They all were outstanding but citing more than 50 bourbons as the world’s best seems a contradiction.

There are over 2,000 different bourbon expressions currently available. The top 5%, 100 or so are consistent medalists. Choosing the world’s best between those candidates is highly subjective, regardless of the quality of the judging.

Which one you would personally consider the best is largely a function of the style of bourbon you enjoy. All these expressions are worthy of inclusion into a “Bourbon Hall of Fame”, and any one of them can rightly claim the honor of the world’s best.

This is the second of a four-part series that will examine the most medaled bourbons. Parts one and two examined the “Hall of Fame” bourbons from large producers, while parts three and four will examine the “Hall of Fame” bourbons from craft producers.

1792 Full Proof is produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. It is a high-proof bourbon known for its bold flavors and rich, intense character. After a robust maturation process, it is bottled at its original proof, offering a powerful taste experience.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Full Proof Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose features rich caramel, dark fruit, oak, and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is bold and full-bodied, with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and baking spices. The finish is long, warm, and slightly sweet, with lingering spice.

Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 YO is produced at the Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky.

This single-barrel bourbon is aged for a full decade and bottled in bond. Its rich and complex flavor profile has earned it numerous accolades.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Best in Show Whiskey

World Whiskies Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 96 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features caramel, vanilla, and oak, with a hint of spice. On the palate, it’s rich and full-bodied with flavors of honey, butterscotch, and a touch of fruit. The finish is long and satisfying, with a balance of sweetness and spice.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 24 YO is produced at the Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky.

Parker’s Heritage Collection is a highly sought-after, limited-edition bourbon released annually in honor of the late master distiller Parker Beam. The 24 YO edition is one of the oldest and most revered expressions in the collection.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 97 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features rich toffee, caramel, and dried fruit, with a hint of oak. The palate is deep and complex, with flavors of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a touch of spice. The finish is long and smooth, with a lingering oak and spice finish.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is produced at the Old Forester Distilling Co., 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 flavors and high collectability.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

On the nose, there is vanilla, caramel, and spice, with a hint of dried fruit. The palate is rich and layered, with toffee, oak, and dark chocolate flavors. The finish is long and warm, with a smooth, lingering sweetness.

Stagg Jr. is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky. Stagg Jr. is the younger sibling of the highly sought-after George T. Stagg bourbon, offering a similarly bold and robust flavor profile at a more accessible price point.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose features rich caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit, with a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied and intense, with toffee, oak, and cinnamon flavors. The finish is long, warm, and slightly sweet, with lingering spice.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is produced at the Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is an uncut, unfiltered bourbon bottled straight from the barrel, offering a bold and intense flavor profile.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Barrel Proof Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features caramel, vanilla, spices, and a hint of oak. The palate is full-bodied and bold, with flavors of toffee, dark chocolate, and spice. The finish is long and warm, with a lingering sweetness.

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 YO is currently produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky. The Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve range are among the most sought-after bourbons in the world, known for their rich, complex flavors and limited availability.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 98 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit, with a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied and smooth, with toffee, oak, and dark chocolate flavors. The finish is long and warm, with a lingering sweetness and spice.

Michter’s 10 YO Single Barrel Bourbon is produced at the Michter’s Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky. Michter’s 10 YO is a highly regarded single-barrel bourbon known for its deep, complex flavors and limited availability.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 96 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features caramel, vanilla, and oak, with a hint of spice. The palate is deep and complex, with flavors of toffee, dark chocolate, and spice. The finish is long and warm, with a lingering sweetness and spice.

George T. Stagg is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky.

George T. Stagg is one of the most highly regarded bourbons in the world, known for its bold, intense flavors and high proof.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Best in Show Whiskey

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 97 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit, with a hint of spice. On the palate, it’s bold and intense, with flavors of toffee, oak, and cinnamon. The finish is long, warm, and slightly sweet, with lingering spice notes.

William Larue Weller is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky.

William Larue Weller is part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and is known for its rich, complex flavors and high proof.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 98 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose offers caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit, with a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied and smooth, with toffee, oak, and dark chocolate flavors. The finish is long and warm.

These bourbon expressions, along with the ten listed in Part I, represent some of the world’s most distinguished and highly awarded spirits. Each has been meticulously crafted by its respective distillery, reflecting a deep commitment to quality and tradition. These expressions have earned their place among the best, whether through innovative production methods, unique aging processes, or a dedication to preserving the art of bourbon making.

Their numerous accolades in prestigious international competitions underscore the excellence they bring to the bourbon category, making them not just beverages but experiences to be savored by whiskey enthusiasts around the globe. If you are a bourbon lover, you’ve probably tried them all. If you haven’t you certainly should.

These selections are among the finest available for those seeking a rich, complex, and rewarding bourbon experience. They are all “Hall of Fame” bourbons and any one of them can rightly claim the crown of World’s Best Bourbon. Which one gets crowned is up to you!

See also The Bourbon Hall of Fame: The World’s Most Highly Rated Whiskeys for more bourbons from large producers as well as The Bourbon Hall Of Fame: The Most Highly Rated Craft Whiskeys and The Bourbon Elite: More Of The Most Highly Rated Craft Whiskeys.

The Hall of Fame expressions is an ongoing series that will look at the most medaled spirit and wine brands from the most important competitions worldwide. Look for upcoming coverage of the Hall of Fame Tequilas, Rums, Gins, Vodkas, Brandies and Whiskies; the major wine varietals and wine producing regions and top beers of the world.