7 Award-Winning Bourbons Every Whiskey Lover Should Know
7 Award-Winning Bourbons Every Whiskey Lover Should Know
Bourbon's been having a real moment lately, with all these competitions handing out medals left and right to some darn good bottles. If you're the kind of guy who likes kicking back with a solid pour after a long day, or sharing one with buddies around the grill, these award-winners are worth tracking down. Back when I first got serious about whiskey, I cracked open a bottle of something similar to one of these on a fishing trip with my old man – man, that evening by the campfire turned a regular weekend into one I'll never forget. Anyway, here's seven standouts that keep racking up the hardware.
Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS
This 13-year-old bottled-in-bond from Heaven Hill really cleaned up, getting called the World's Best Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards and piling on more praise elsewhere. It's got that classic Kentucky depth from being aged just right, with rich notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of spice that builds slow on the palate. The finish hangs around forever, smooth and warm without any harsh bite, making it perfect for sipping neat while you're unwinding in your favorite chair – it's the kind of bourbon that feels like a reward after getting stuff done around the house.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Heaven Hill's uncut, unfiltered beast keeps winning big, like top honors at the 2025 Top Shelf Awards for one of its batches. Clocking in around 130 proof or so depending on the release, it packs a punch with bold flavors of dark chocolate, toasted oak, leather, and baking spices that hit you upfront but balance out nicely. Guys who like their whiskey with some muscle swear by it – pour a glug over a big ice cube and let it open up, it'll stand up to anything from a steak dinner to just shooting the breeze on the porch.
Green River Wheated Bourbon
This one's a newer player from Owensboro that shocked folks by taking Best Overall Bourbon at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, even beating out pricier stuff. With wheat in the mash bill, it's softer and sweeter than your typical rye-spiced bourbons, loading up on vanilla, honey, caramel, and fresh bread notes that make it super easy-drinking. At a price that won't break the bank, it's a go-to for everyday pours or mixing in an old fashioned when company's over – real crowd-pleaser without any fuss.
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel
Buffalo Trace's barrel-strength version of their famous single barrel keeps grabbing golds, including Best Single Barrel at recent big competitions. Dumped right from the cask with no watering down, it explodes with rich corn sweetness, rye spice, dark fruit, and that signature oak char that lingers like crazy. It's got kick but stays balanced, ideal for the fella who wants something intense to savor slow – grab it if you spot one, 'cause these disappear quick from shelves.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Jim Beam's reliable 9-year-old is a staple that's always in the mix for awards, like consistent doubles at San Francisco and others for its no-nonsense quality. Aged longer than most in its price range, it delivers straightforward caramel, peanut brittle, oak, and a bit of cinnamon heat that wraps up clean. Nothing flashy, just solid American bourbon that's tough to beat for the money – keeps a bottle handy for poker nights or whenever you need a dependable dram that hits the spot every time.
Rabbit Hole Dareringer
This sherry cask-finished bourbon from Rabbit Hole snagged double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition not long back and keeps getting nods for its unique twist. The Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels add layers of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and sweetness on top of the wheat-heavy base, making it smoother and more interesting than straight-up bourbons. It's a nice change of pace if you're tired of the usual – pours great on the rocks and pairs killer with a cigar out back.
George T. Stagg
Part of Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection, this barrel-proof monster regularly tops lists and grabs golds for its massive flavor from 15-plus years in wood. Uncult and unfiltered, it throws waves of cherry, molasses, tobacco, espresso, and heavy oak that can overwhelm but reward patient sipping. For the hardcore enthusiast who wants something big and bold to cap off a tough week, it's legendary – hunt it down if you can, 'cause when it's gone, it's gone till next year.
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