Bourbon Hall Of Fame: Ten Of The World’s Most Highly Rated Whiskeys

What is the world’s best bourbon? Indeed, is there even 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 “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 first of a four-part series that will examine the most medaled bourbons. Parts one and two examine the “Hall of Fame” bourbons from large producers, while parts three and four examine the “Hall of Fame” bourbons from craft producers.

Here is the first set of Hall of Fame bourbons. More to follow.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Introduced in 1984, it is known as the world’s first single-barrel bourbon. It sets the standard for premium bourbons and remains a staple in the industry.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 Points

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose offers rich caramel and vanilla aromas, with hints of nuts and spice. The palate is full-bodied with notes of honey, citrus, and oak. The finish is long and smooth, with a subtle spiciness.

Eagle Rare 10 YO is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky. It is a highly awarded bourbon known for its consistent quality and complexity, aged for a minimum of 10 years.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 Points

The nose features toffee, hints of orange peel, herbs, honey, leather, and oak. It’s bold and dry on the palate, with delicate notes of candied almonds and rich cocoa. The finish is long and dry, with lingering caramel and orange zest notes.

Four Roses Small Batch Select is produced at the Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Known for its unique blending process, Four Roses combines multiple recipes to create complex and balanced bourbons.

Awards:

World Whiskies Awards: Best Small Batch Bourbon

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose offers raspberry, clove, and nutmeg aromas, while the palate features apricot, berries, vanilla, and a touch of oak. The finish is long and smooth.

Elijah Craig Small Batch is produced at the Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky. Named after the Reverend Elijah Craig, who is often credited with inventing bourbon, this small batch is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose features vanilla bean, sweet fruit, and fresh mint. The palate offers notes of wood, spice, smoke, and nutmeg. The finish is long and warm, with a spicy kick.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is produced at the Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is an unfiltered and barrel-proof version of the classic Maker’s Mark, offering an intense and robust flavor profile.

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: Master Medal

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

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky. This expression is matured in two separate oak barrels, enhancing the rich flavors and smoothness of the bourbon.

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

It offers notes of dark fruit, caramel, and charred oak on the nose. The palate features layers of vanilla, honey, and spice, with a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is long and smooth, with a lingering oak note.

Knob Creek 9 YO is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont, Kentucky. Knob Creek is part of Jim Beam’s small-batch collection, known for its bold, full-flavored profile.

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 offers rich caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak notes. The palate is full-bodied, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and spice. The finish is long, warm, and slightly sweet.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Rare Breed is a barrel-proof bourbon bottled directly from the barrel without any dilution.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Barrel-Proof Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

On the nose, vanilla, spice, and hints of smoke. The palate is bold and spicy, with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of oak. This finish is long and warm, with a lingering spice.

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is produced at the Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky. Old Forester’s 1920 Prohibition Style is part of their Whiskey Row series, offering a robust flavor profile reminiscent of the era.

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: Gold

The nose features rich caramel, vanilla, and dark chocolate aromas. The palate is bold and spicy, with toffee, oak, and dark fruit flavors. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering spice.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky.

Buffalo Trace is one of the most awarded distilleries in the world, and its namesake bourbon is known for its balanced and complex flavor profile.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskies Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 Points

International Wine & Spirit Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose features aromas of vanilla, mint, and molasses. The palate is sweet with notes of brown sugar and spice. The finish is long, smooth, and warming.

These bourbon expressions 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: More Of The 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 Hall Of Fame: More Of The Most Highly Rated Craft Whiskeys.