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There was no single bourbon crowned best by all major spirit competitions in 2025. The International Whisky Competition (IWC), World Whiskies Awards (WWA) and ASCOT Awards named winners in different categories; the IWC also published scores. Their results identify competition winners, not a shared, universal ranking.
2025 bourbon competition winners at a glance
| Competition and award | 2025 result | Published score |
|---|---|---|
| International Whisky Competition — Best Bourbon Whiskey | A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #4), first; Whiskey Row Cask Strength, second; Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B525, third | 97.01, 96.20 and 95.73 points, respectively, as reported by the International Whisky Competition in 2025 |
| International Whisky Competition — Best Bourbon 10 Year and Older | 1792 Aged Twelve Years, first; Eagle Rare 17 Year-Old (Fall 2024), second; BHAKTA 2011 Bourbon — Armagnac Cask Finish, third | 94.51, 92.96 and 90.99 points, respectively, as reported by the International Whisky Competition in 2025 |
| International Whisky Competition — Best Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, first; Rebecca Creek Texas Straight Bourbon Whisky Bottled-In-Bond, second; E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bottled-in-Bond, third | 91.97, 91.93 and 88.94 points, respectively, as reported by the International Whisky Competition in 2025 |
| World Whiskies Awards — Best Kentucky Bourbon | Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS | Not stated on the award page |
| World Whiskies Awards — Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon | Old Elk 9 Year Old Straight Bourbon | Not stated on the award page |
| ASCOT Awards — Bourbon of the Year | O.H. Ingram River Aged 2024 Flagship Kentucky Bourbon | Not stated on the award page |
The IWC results are listed on its official 2025 results page. The WWA named its Kentucky and non-Kentucky winners on its 2025 World’s Best Bourbon page. ASCOT announced its result on the 2025 Best in Show page.
What each competition’s top result means
International Whisky Competition: a scored first place in a named category
A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #4) took first in the IWC’s Best Bourbon Whiskey category with 97.01 points. That is the clearest result if you mean the IWC’s top placement in its general bourbon category; it is not a score from the WWA or ASCOT.
The IWC also reports separate standings for bourbon aged 10 years and older and bottled-in-bond bourbon. Those winners answer narrower category questions rather than replacing the Best Bourbon Whiskey result.
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#1 Best Overall
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World Whiskies Awards: separate Kentucky and non-Kentucky honors
The WWA’s 2025 page names Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS Best Kentucky Bourbon and Old Elk 9 Year Old Straight Bourbon Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon. The page’s award wording distinguishes the two regional categories; it does not designate one of those bottles as winner across all bourbon categories.
ASCOT: Bourbon of the Year after a category final
ASCOT names O.H. Ingram River Aged 2024 Flagship Kentucky Bourbon its Bourbon of the Year after a Best in Category final. Its page also lists category awards such as Best Wheated Bourbon, awarded to Southern Star Paragon Bottled-In-Bond Wheated Bourbon, and Best 11+ Year Bourbon, awarded to Old Grand-Dad Aged 16 Years.
Rank #2
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How to compare the awards fairly
- Start with the organization and category. A first-place result in one contest is not automatically equivalent to a title in another. The WWA, for example, separates Kentucky and non-Kentucky honors, while the IWC publishes distinct age and bottled-in-bond categories.
- Check whether the title is broad or style-specific. “Bourbon of the Year,” “Best Kentucky Bourbon,” “Best Bourbon 10 Year and Older” and “Best Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey” describe different award scopes.
- Keep scores within their own competition. The IWC publishes points for its results. The WWA and ASCOT pages cited here name their winners but do not state comparable scores. The published records do not establish a common judging scale, so IWC points should not be used to rank a WWA or ASCOT winner.
- Match the exact expression or release. Batch, vintage, age and finish can identify a particular bottle rather than every version sold under a brand name. For example, the IWC winner is A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #4), and the WWA winner is Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS.
The WWA also publishes category-specific results such as Best Non-Kentucky Finished Bourbon, underscoring why a result needs to be read alongside its exact category label.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What these results can—and cannot—tell you
These official pages establish which bottles each named competition recognized in 2025. They do not provide a comprehensive census of every spirit competition, a common judging method across organizations, consumer preference data, current bottle prices, or retail availability. An award is evidence of a competition result, not a guarantee that a bottle will suit your taste or represent good value.
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Quick Recap
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Best Value
GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 2 in Twin Carton
- THE OFFICIAL WHISKY GLASS - In the long and illustrious history of whisky, there has never been a single definitive glass that the whisky world could call its own. Now, following in the tradition of Scottish innovation, the Glencairn Glass has arrived. The Glencairn Glass’ roots lie in the traditional nosing and tasting glasses used by master blenders and connoisseurs around the world.
- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
- SPECIFICATIONS - CONTENTS – GLENCAIRN GLASS X 2 IN A GIFT CARTON| LEAD FREE CRYSTAL | DISHWASHER SAFE
Rank #4
GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Set of 4 in 4 Pack Gift Carton
- THE OFFICIAL WHISKY GLASS - In the long and illustrious history of whisky, there has never been a single definitive glass that the whisky world could call its own. Now, following in the tradition of Scottish innovation, the Glencairn Glass has arrived. The Glencairn Glass’ roots lie in the traditional nosing and tasting glasses used by master blenders and connoisseurs around the world.
- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
- SPECIFICATIONS - CONTENTS – GLENCAIRN WHISKY GLASS, SET OF 4 IN 4 PACK GIFT CARTON | LEAD FREE CRYSTAL | DISHWASHER SAFE
Rank #3
Whiskey Rocks Glass, Set of 4 (2 Crystal Bourbon Glasses, 2 Round Big Ice Ball Molds) In Gift Box - 10 Oz Old Fashioned Glasses for Scotch Cocktail Rum Cognac Vodka Liquor, Unique Gifts for Men
- Unique sculpted crystal glasses with substantial feel and timeless design, perfect for sipping bourbon or scotch
- Heavy crystal construction provides durability and dishwasher safety
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
