The World’s Best Bourbon—According To The San Francisco Spirits Festival

Just in time for the Fourth of July, the San Francisco Spirits Festival has released the top-scoring straight bourbons and special barrel-finished bourbons from this year’s festival. The festival has also provided me with exclusive tasting notes from the judges, which offer insight into their scoring.

For this year’s festival, a team of expert judges blind taste-tested more than 5000 spirits, a record number of entries for the competition founded in 2000 and often cited as the oldest and largest spirits competition. Bourbon was among the most popular categories with more than 400 entries. Previously, the San Francisco Spirits Festival had made its medal winners available, and I’ve written about select double gold medal-winning bourbons at this year’s competition. But this latest batch of finalists represents the next level of achievement in the judges’ eyes. These bourbons will now compete to be named the best of the best at Top Shelf 2024 in San Francisco in the first week in October.

In the meantime, the release of these bourbon finalists ties in nicely with the birthday of America, as bourbon is America’s spirit. By law bourbon can only be made in the U.S. and it continues to be one of the most popular spirit categories here. Whiskey is currently the third bestselling spirit in the U.S. behind vodka and tequila, but bourbon is driving much of the growth in the whiskey category.

Before we dive into the results, here is a refresher on the two categories we’re looking at straight and special-barrel finished bourbon. Straight bourbon is whiskey distilled in the U.S. from a mash bill that is at least 51% corn and fermented to no more than 160 proof and then aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years. Special barrel-finished bourbon refers to bourbon that starts life the same way (with corn and new charred oak barrels etc.) but then is finished in a different type of barrel that imparts new flavors.

Now, here’s a closer look at the finalists in both bourbon categories.

Best Straight Bourbon Finalists

George T. Stagg Straight Bourbon | U.S. | 67.5% ALC | $125

The judges describe this bourbon as having a “creamy, chocolate, and brown sugar” flavor profile “with a Complex Structure.”

Jim Beam Black Extra-Aged Bourbon | KY U.S. | 43% ALC | $21.99

The judges were impressed by this bourbon’s “tropical and fruity” flavors that mixed “with a slightly bitter note.” It scored particularly high considering its $21 price tag.

Brother’s Bond Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey | IN U.S. | 50% ALC | $60

The judges describe this bourbon as having “notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice with a smooth, oaky finish.” I’ve previously written about this bourbon and remain impressed by its overall balance.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 | KY USA | 66.5% ALC | $75

Judges were intrigued by this bourbon’s flavors including its rich caramel, toasted oak, and dark chocolate alongside a long and warm finish.

Evan Williams Black | KY USA | 43% ALC | $15

The judges needed only one word to describe this bourbon: “Nutty.” At first, I thought I had read the price wrong, but $15 is correct, making this the best buy of the competion and possibly the bourbon category overall.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed | KY USA| 58.4% ALC | $47

This offering from a bourbon heavyweight impressed with its caramel, vanilla, and spice notes and smoky finish.

Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon

Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Double Oak 103 | U.S. | 51.5% ALC | $59.99

Rich layers of caramel, dark fruit, and toasted oak.

Dark Arts Whiskey House Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in an Armagnac Cask | KY United States | 56.85% ALC | $179.99

The judges were intrigued by this “complex” bourbon.

Dark Arts Whiskey House Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Toasted Jupilles Fluer French Oak Staves – Small Batch | KY U.S. | 54% ALC | $89.99

The second finalist from Dark Arts Whiskey is a take on the above bourbon that is finished in French oak staves.

Ironweed Straight Bourbon Finished in Rum Barrels | NY U.S. | 57.2% ALC | $70

This blends rich bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla with hints of tropical fruit and molasses from the rum barrel finish.

K.LUKE Whiskey Company Small Batch Toasted Barrel, Barrel Strength Bourbon | KY U.S. | 59.1% ALC | $115

Judges were impressed by this bourbon’s flavors of caramel, toasted oak, and dark chocolate as well as its smooth finish.