The International Whisky Competition (IWC) 2024 saw the return of numerous prominent bourbon expressions, each vying for a gold medal in the prestigious contest. There were five sub-categories of ‘Best Bourbon’ in this year’s competition. So, today I thought we would take a look at the winners.
With tasting notes, prices, where to buy, and what is behind each expression – here are the best bourbons according to the 2024 International Whisky Competition. Check out more whiskey awards here.
Best Bourbon Whiskey
GOLD MEDAL WINNER: George T. Stagg – 94.98 points
Tasting Notes: Toffee sweetness, dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, nougat, molasses, dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint, coffee
BUY NOW: $899
Runners Up: NOCO Distillery – Founders Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon – Mash Bill #: II – Cask Strength – 94.49 points, W. L. Weller Antique 107 – 94.07 Pts
George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a celebrated release from Buffalo Trace Distillery, has become a cornerstone of the bourbon world. Its numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 2023 American Whiskey Masters, reflect its popularity. In addition, George T. Stagg was named ‘Best Bourbon Whiskey’ at last year’s International Whisky Competition.
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First launched in 2002, this bourbon is named after George T. Stagg, a key figure in bourbon history. Stagg played an influential role during the ‘Gilded Age of Bourbon,’ overseeing the O.F.C. Distillery, which was eventually renamed in his honor.
This is, by no means, a cheap bottle of bourbon and is probably best reserved for special occasions and gifts.
The 2024 release of George T. Stagg is not yet available. As such, we can assume that the 2023 version is the one that has been awarded here. The 2023 expression of George T. Stagg was distilled in 2008 and aged for just over 15 years before being bottled at 135 proof.
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Best Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (Full Proof)
GOLD MEDAL WINNER: George T. Stagg – 94.98 points
Tasting Notes: Toffee sweetness, dark chocolate, vanilla, fudge, nougat, molasses, dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint, coffee
BUY NOW: $899
Runners Up: NOCO Distillery – Founders Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon – Mash Bill #: II – Cask Strength – 94.49 points, Old Hamer Straight Bourbon Cask Strength – 92.49 points
George T. Stagg clinches another medal in the ‘Cask Strength’ category. Bottled at 135 proof (67.5% ABV ), the whiskey has a high alcohol content and a kick that perfectly sets of the notes of chocolate and molasses.
Best Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
GOLD MEDAL WINNER: 1792 Small Batch – 89.93 points
Tasting Notes: Spice, sweet caramel, vanilla
BUY NOW: $24
Runners Up: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 89.89 points, Larceny Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 88.75 points
This is not the first time that 1792 Small Batch Bourbon has won gold in the ‘Best Small Batch Bourbon’ category at the IWC. In fact, the expression won gold in this category last year, too.
1792 Small Batch Bourbon starts out as 1792’s high-rye mash bill and a marriage of hand-selected casks chosen by the Master Distiller. Due to the ‘small batch’ nature, this expression in limited, and released in small quantities from 1792 once the distillery has deemed that the whiskey is ready.
The distillery is named ‘1792’ after the year in which Kentucky became a state, paying homage to the Bluegrass State’s bourbon and whiskey legacy.
Best Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey
GOLD MEDAL WINNER: 1792 Bottled In Bond – 93.95 points
Tasting Notes: Spice, charred oak, fresh mint, caramel apple, coffee, black pepper
BUY NOW: $35
Runners Up: Buzzard’s Roost – Bottle-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 92.04 points, Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 89.83 points
For a bourbon to be designated as ‘Bottled-In-Bond’, it must be:
- Distilled in a single season (January-June, July – December) at a single distillery
- Matured in a U.S. bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years
- Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV)
The Bottled-In-Bond designation was introduced in 1897 as a sort of quality assurance for consumers. The aim was to make it more difficult for counterfeit whiskey to make it onto the market, therefore improving relations and transparency between distillers and drinkers.
The 1792 Bottled-In-Bond is a tribute to this piece of legislation. It is “bottled at exactly 100 proof for a bold taste and lingering finish.”
Best Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
GOLD MEDAL WINNER: NOCO Distillery – Founders Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon – Mash Bill #: II – Cask Strength – 94.49 points
Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes available
BUY NOW: N/A
Runners Up: 1792 Single Barrel – 91.77 points, Benchmark Single Barrel – 91.13 points
Now for a whiskey that I cannot seem to find out much about.
NOCO Distillery is located in Colorado, and is noted for its small batch production of whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, and brandy. The brand credits the use of water from the nearby Rockies for giving its spirits the “edge in taste and flavor” The NOCO Distillery Founders Reserve Single Barrel is triple distilled and aged in either new or used American oak barrels.
The distillery’s website does not give much specific information about any of the expressions produced there. So, if you have tried the NOCO Distillery – Founders Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon – Mash Bill #: II, get in touch and tell us what it was like!
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