The North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Having now spent a decade carefully tasting and recognizing the best bourbon and whiskey that North America has to offer, the competition for the judges’ favor has never been more fierce.
In this year’s competition, 15% more entries were received than in 2023. Across these entries, 11 were awarded Double Gold medals (watch this space), and three were named ‘Best of Show’. So, I thought today we would take a look at the coveted ‘Best of Show’ winners – production, tasting notes, and where you can buy.
1792 Full Proof
Award: Best of Show, 1st Place – 96 Points
Tasting Notes: Smoke, sweet vanilla, caramel
BUY NOW: $45
This is not the first time that Barton 1792 Distillery has been mentioned in my Awards Series articles. The Small Batch, Single Barrel, and Bottled-In-Bond expressions have all achieved accolades at the International Whisky Competition 2024 and the International Spirits Challenge in 2023.
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However, this is the first time that I have written about the 1792 Full Proof, which won Best of Show at the 2024 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition. That is not to say that the bourbon has not previously won awards. In fact, you can see a list of Full Proof’s awards on Barton 1792’s website.
1792 Full Proof is a limited edition Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that was bottled at its barrel entry proof, 125 (62.5% ABV), hence the name “full proof”. According to the 1792 website, “Bourbon insiders have long acknowledged that full proof bourbon has a distinguished and rich flavor.”
The expression is non-chill-filtered and was filtered only through a plate and frame filter, helping the whiskey to maintain not only its high ABV but also its robust profile.
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Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Award: Best of Show, 2nd Place – 96 Points
Tasting Notes: Spicy caramel, maple, fruit, raisins
BUY NOW: $50
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey was the inaugural whiskey from the Uncle Nearest brand, produced at the Nearest Green Distillery in Tennessee. It was rolled out in 2017 and has scooped award after award since then. Now, ‘Best of Show, 2nd Place’ at the North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition can be added to that list.
Nearest Green Distillery and Uncle Nearest, helmed by Fawn Weaver, pays tribute to the man who taught Jack Daniel (yes, that Jack Daniel) how to make whiskey: Nearest Green – the first African American master distiller.
The blend contains whiskeys sourced from numerous distilleries, resulting in a smooth and subtle spirit. Crafted by Uncle Nearest’s Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler, the blend is bottled at 100 proof.
Despite the use of whiskeys from various other distilleries, Uncle Nearest 1856 now contains whiskey produced at the Nearest Green Distillery. In the coming years, Uncle Nearest plans to produce all of its own whiskey at its Tennessee plant.
King’s Family Distillery Ryeconic
Award: Best of Show, 3rd Place – 95 Points
Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes available
BUY NOW: $75
King’s Family Ryeconic is part of the award-winning lineup from the King’s Family Distillery. A season release, Ryeconic is a “top-shelf Rye whiskey”, aged in two separate barrels before being bottled. The mash bill consists of a bold 95% rye and is barreled at approximately 112 proof.
This particular expression of Ryeconic was aged for 8 years and 3 months before bottling at 110.5 proof.
Unfortunately, the King’s Family Distillery website does not list any official tasting notes for Ryeconic. However, the notes from First Fill Spirits are as follows: “The dill is there but surrounded by coconut and marshmallows. Has a bit of a S’more quality to it along with some fruit punch. The palate is much spicier with lemon-lime, pepper, and charred oak spice. You still have some of that coconut and vanilla but silkier, drier.”
King’s Family Distillery was also honored at the 2023 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition when its King’s Wheated Bourbon won a Double Gold medal.
King’s Family Distillery was established in 2018 by Justin and Cara King, a husband-and-wife team with extensive backgrounds in the spirits industry. Their shared experience evolved into a deep passion for distilling, leading to the creation of their own distillery. Located near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the distillery has quickly gained the attention of whiskey critics.
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