The World’s Best Bourbon—According To The 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition

Hopes were high that the International Wine and Spirits’ first-ever Global Judging event of North American whiskey on home soil would unearth some fantastic bottles. Well, it didn’t disappoint. An expert panel sampled almost 500 bottles in Kentucky in early September, and the results were just announced.

Over 430 medals were awarded, including 30 golds and four outstanding golds. The judges were wowed, to say the least.

“What they are doing here in terms of liquid quality is just insane. Some of the distilleries we’ve been around are incredible. We were amazed by the sheer detail they are going into in production, said Dawn Davies MW, a member of the Judging Committee. As for the judging itself, what was very interesting was seeing some crazy cask finishes, some different grains being used. And all of those things, whether they work or they don’t, are all fantastic to try. It’s been a fabulous few days.”

While they found many great bottles of rye, blended whiskey, and American single malt, we are going to focus on the one that had everyone on the edge of their seats: bourbon. Nine Kentucky straight bourbons won gold medals, and one took home the only outstanding gold award in the entire bourbon category.

That bottle is Kentucky Peerless Distilling Toasted Bourbon. It bested bottles from gold medal winners from luminaries like Blanton’s, Four Roses, W.L Weller, Eagle Rare, George T Stagg, 15 Stars, and Blue Run.

Founded in 1889, Peerless was one of the most successful distilleries in Kentucky until Prohibition forced it to close. It lay dormant for decades until it was relaunched in 2015 by founder Henry Kraver’s great-grandson Corky Taylor and his son Carson Taylor as a premium small-batch distillery in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

From the get-go, Peerless blazed their own path. They adhered to a strict grain-to-bottle process, meaning they control every step of the production in-house and do not source their liquid from outside channels. Peerless uses a sweet mash process, starting each fermentation fresh with new mash, unlike the typical sour mash method that reuses leftovers from previous batches. This labor-intensive approach results in a more nuanced, fresher flavor. They also skip chill filtration, which many distilleries use to remove particulates, in order to retain a richer mouthfeel and fuller flavor.

Peerless fills barrels at a lower proof (around 107), meaning less dilution and a smoother, richer spirit. This method allows better integration with the oak, producing a balanced whiskey.

Their whiskeys are aged in American oak barrels that are carefully selected for their char and wood quality. The warehouse where Peerless stores its barrels is temperature-controlled, allowing them to control the aging process better. This environment ensures a more even aging process, avoiding the extreme temperature swings in non-climate-controlled rickhouses.

The distillery releases whiskey based on its flavor profile rather than age statements. This means some Peerless whiskeys might be younger than those from other distilleries, but they’re released when they meet the high flavor standards Peerless upholds. They also offer both small-batch and single-barrel releases, with small batches blended for consistency and single-barrel expressions showcasing the unique characteristics of each barrel. This dedication to quality and craftsmanship has resulted in Peerless quickly gaining numerous accolades.

Peerless Toasted Bourbon is aged in two separate oak barrels. The first cycle happens in a standard char 3 barrel that adds flavors of caramel, brown sugar, and toffee. Once Craig Kilburn, the Master Distiller, and John Wadell, the Head Taster, determine that the liquid is ready, it is placed in a toasted barrel to finish. The final aging imparts a more complex layer of flavor that results in a bourbon with an elevated nose and a wide array of flavors for the palate.

The bourbon scored 98 out of 100 points; this is one bottle you will want to search for in your collection. Just ask the judges; their tasting notes were filled with notes on its flavors. This outstanding bourbon opens with captivating aromas of rich oak integrated with vibrant orchard fruit and warm cinnamon. The palate reveals layers of caramel, delicate nuttiness, and a hint of pepper, all enveloped in a creamy embrace. A wonderfully extended finish with complex notes of both grain and barrel.

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