You do not need to spend a fortune to drink world-class American whiskey. The International Whisky Competition (IWC) proves that every year by awarding top medals to bottles that cost less than $100.
We have picked five standout American whiskeys from the 2023 and 2025 IWC results. Each combines quality, character, and value. If you want award-winning flavor without stretching your budget, these bottles deserve a place on your shelf.
1792 Small Batch – From $24
1792 Small Batch is a Kentucky straight bourbon made with a high-rye mash bill. It is bottled at 93.7 proof and selected from barrels aged in Barton 1792’s historic warehouses in Bardstown. The recipe delivers a spicier edge than most bourbons, balanced with caramel and vanilla sweetness.
The official tasting notes highlight black pepper, cinnamon, oak, citrus, and cardamom. It won Gold at the International Whisky Competition 2023 with 90 points. Barton 1792 is the oldest fully-operating distillery in Bardstown, producing whiskey since 1879.
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old – From $46
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is a Kentucky straight bourbon made with Buffalo Trace’s low-rye mash bill. Every bottle is aged for at least a decade and bottled at 90 proof. That long maturation creates a rich balance of oak, cocoa, and honey.
The official tasting notes describe aromas of toffee, orange peel, and herbs. The palate is bold with candied almonds, cocoa, and dry oak, followed by a lingering finish. Eagle Rare was first introduced in 1975 and has since become one of Buffalo Trace’s most respected age-stated bourbons. It won Gold at the IWC 2023 with 90.5 points.
Five Trail Blended American Whiskey Cask Finish Series – From $55.99
Five Trail is a blended American whiskey created by Coors Whiskey Co. in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company. It combines four different whiskeys: a wheated bourbon, a four-grain bourbon, a Colorado single malt, and a rye. The blend is finished in Imperial Porter beer casks and proofed with Rocky Mountain water.
The official notes highlight biscuit and roasted nuts on the nose, with caramel, vanilla pudding, apple, and candied dates on the palate. The finish is long, nutty, and spiced. Five Trail launched in 2021 and quickly gained recognition, winning Gold at the IWC 2023 with 91.6 points.
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask – From $70
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask is an American single malt made from 100 percent malted barley. It matures for 5 to 7 years in new American oak before finishing in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Spain. The result is a whiskey that layers malt sweetness with dried fruit richness.
Official notes mention raisins, figs, honey, blackcurrant, and walnut, followed by caramel and warm spice on the finish. Stranahan’s, founded in Denver in 2004, helped pioneer the American single malt category. This expression won Gold at the IWC 2023 with 93.33 points.
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey – From $85
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel is a Tennessee whiskey bottled at cask strength, with each barrel hand-selected by Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler. It is made with a high-corn mash bill and mellowed through sugar-maple charcoal in the Lincoln County Process before aging in new oak.
The official notes describe vanilla, seasoned oak, marzipan, butterscotch, and toasted pecans, with a long, spiced finish. Uncle Nearest, founded in 2017, honors Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first known African American master distiller. This whiskey placed 5th overall at the IWC 2025 with 96.34 points.
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