Today (February 14th), the World Whiskies Awards revealed the winners of the World Whiskies Awards USA 2025. The category champions, representing the world’s best bourbon and American whiskey will now advance to the global competition in March, where they’ll compete against top whiskeys from around the world.
In this article, I’ll be highlighting the whiskeys that earned the prestigious ‘World’s Best’ titles across several key categories: American Style Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, Bourbon, Small Batch Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon, and Finished Bourbon. Let’s dive into the winners, exploring their production methods, tasting profiles, and what sets them apart.
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World’s Best American Style Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash, 50%
Tasting Notes: Dried fruit, oak, toast, honey sweetness, grain spice, dry oak, brown bread
BUY NOW: $32
Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Whiskey is billed by the distillery as “Three bonded whiskeys, one experience like no other.”
This experimental whiskey is a blend of three Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys. The composition is:
- 60% Jack Daniel’s Straight Rye Whiskey
- 20% Jack Daniel’s American Malt Whiskey
- 20% Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
In line with Bottled-in-Bond legislation, all of these whiskeys will distilled in one single season at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, aged for at least four years in a bonded warehouse, and bottled at 100 proof.
The resulting blend is well-rounded, and full-bodied, and presents a delicate balance of sweetness, spice, and oak.
Launched in 2022, the blend provides a slightly elevated experience from the traditional Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 and appeals to seasoned drinkers and fans of Bottled-in-Bond expressions. The ‘Triple Mash’ bill also combines the profiles of three different types of American whiskey, making for a comprehensive drinking experience. It was very well received by the general public, and continues to be part of the distillery’s offerings.
World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee 12 Years Old Batch #2, 53.5%
Tasting Notes: Sweet and creamy notes of pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and butterscotch
BUY NOW: $300
A limited release from the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Batch #2 was the brainchild of Master Distiller, Chris Fletcher, who set out to pay tribute to the distillery’s history whilst evolving the whiskey-making process.
Distilled from a mash bill comprising 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye (the same mash bill that is used for Jack Daniel’s Old No.7), the whiskey is matured for 12 years in oak. This extended aging, combined with careful barrel maintenance during maturation, results in a deep and complex flavor profile that intensifies the notes already present in Jack Daniel’s Old No.7. Caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice flavors dominate.
Batch #1 of Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old was launched in 2023 in response to calls from fans for an age statement expression. A 10 Year Old was launched in tandem. This batch, #2, was launched in 2024 as a limited release. Could we see another 12-Year-Old launch in 2025? Here’s hoping.
World’s Best Bourbon
Old Fitzgerald VVS 2024 Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition, 50%
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon toast, nutmeg, allspice, sweet oak, honey, vanilla, baking spices, oak, pepper
BUY NOW: $1,999.99
If you are a regular reader of The Whiskey Wash, you will know that we, too, love this bourbon. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary was recently named Whiskey of the Year and Best Bourbon in the inaugural Whiskey Wash Awards.
Crafted from a traditional bourbon mash bill (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley), this Old Fitzgerald was distilled in September 1999, marking the beginning of its journey toward a milestone release. After maturing for 13 years in charred oak barrels, it was finally laid to rest in March 2013.
Despite the challenges posed by Kentucky’s intense heat, this bourbon defies the belief that aging beyond 12 years diminishes quality. Bottled in February 2024 to honor Heaven Hill Brands’ acquisition of Old Fitzgerald in 1999, this release stands as a tribute to the brand’s rich heritage and craftsmanship.
Once again, in line with Bottled-in-Bond regulations, the whiskey was distilled in a single season at Heaven Hill Distillery, aged for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof.
Widely acclaimed, this bourbon was named ‘World’s Best Bourbon’ at the World Whiskies Awards USA 2025.
World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon
Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon, 64.2%
Tasting Notes: Candy fruit chews, brûléed brown sugar, almond oil on antique walnut, honeysuckle, vanilla, apricot cobbler
BUY NOW: $85
Boulder Spirits might be well known for its American single malts, but the brand also produces some delicious bourbons.
This particular bourbon was distilled from a mash bill comprising 51% corn, 44% malted, and 5% rye in a copper pot still. Aged for 7 years and bottled from just 15 barrels at a staggering 128.4 proof, only 1,984 were made available.
Boulder Spirits takes pride in its Scottish-influenced production methods. ounded by Alastair Brogan, a Scottish native, the distillery blends traditional Scottish techniques with American innovation. Their whiskey is distilled using a Scottish Forsyths copper pot still, aged in new American oak barrels, and influenced by Colorado’s high-altitude climate. The distillery’s portfolio includes single malts, bourbons, and ryes.
World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel, 64.5%
Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, caramel, walnut, hazelnut, vanilla, oak, toasted nut, spice, butterscotch, honey
BUY NOW: $155
Any bourbon fan has heard of Blanton’s. The first single barrel bourbon to be marketed in the USA was a project of legendary Buffalo Trace distiller, Elmer T. Lee. It is named for Albert Bacon Blanton, another distiller, and Lee’s long-time mentor. Launched in 1984, Blanton’s has long been sought-after by bourbon fans.
Straight From The Barrel is an unfiltered, cask-strength bourbon from the Blanton’s lineup. It is distilled from Buffalo Trace’s Mash Bill #2, which is estimated to contain a high percentage of rye grain.
It is released in very limited quantities throughout the year, although there is no fixed schedule. This limited nature makes it all the more coveted by bourbon lovers.
The particular expression awarded at the World Whiskies Awards was bottled at 64.5% ABV.
You can find out more about Blanton’s here.
World’s Best Finished Bourbon
Wenzel Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Sherry Casks, 55.5%
Tasting Notes: Dried figs, raisins, chocolate, vanilla, sweetness
BUY NOW: N/A
This whiskey is a bit of an enigma at the moment. It is not listed on Wenzel Whiskey’s website, nor does it seem available to purchase. However, Wenzel Whiskey did post about the expression on its Instagram page.
A Facebook page named ‘Coming Whiskey’ posted a photograph of the label for Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon on December 5th, 2024. As such, I assume that this is an upcoming release that the judges at the World Whiskies Awards have been lucky enough to sample already. The WWA website lists the ABV as 55.5% ABV.
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On the label, Wenzel Whiskey states that the whiskey is “barreled for 4 years, and then rested in a Sherry Cask for 3 years,” making it 7 years old.
Keep an eye on The Whiskey Wash for updates about this whiskey.
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