4 Standout Bourbons from the 2026 World Whiskies Awards

The World Whiskies Awards remains one of the most closely followed competitions in whisky. Each year, its results draw attention across the industry, particularly in categories as competitive as bourbon.

In a previous article, we covered the overall winners across all bourbon categories. That included finished bourbons, single casks, and small batch releases. This piece takes a narrower view. It focuses only on the core bourbon category, Kentucky and non-Kentucky. 

From that field, four bottles stand out. For each one, I will break down how it is made, who makes it, and what defines the distillery or brand behind it.

New Riff Distilling Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Award: World’s Best Bourbon / Best Kentucky Bourbon

Tasting Notes: “Lemon zest and butterscotch on the nose; a bright palate with cinnamon, caramel, fresh fig, vanilla cookie, sweet pastry, dried leather, pumpernickel rye, corned beef and brine; a warm and sweet finish with caramel, lemon peel, crumb cookie and coffee.” – WWA Judges 

Find Your Next Bottle: $45

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Produced by New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, this is a modern bourbon built on very traditional rules. It is bottled-in-bond, which means it is made by one distiller in one season, aged for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof. 

New Riff uses a high-rye mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley, which sits well above the norm for many bourbons. 

The distillery is very open about its process. Fermentation runs for around four days, often in open tanks, before distillation through a column still and doubler. 

The bourbon is aged for at least four years in 53-gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels and is always non-chill filtered. It is part of the core range, not a limited release, which makes its position at the top of this category notable.

Additionally (depending on your location), this whiskey is very affordable, meaning that you can get your hands on the world’s best bourbon for under $50, if you’re lucky. 

15 Stars Artisan Collection

Award: Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon

Tasting Notes: “A warm nose with rich oak; a well rounded and viscous palate with black pepper, sage, a burst of honeycomb and heath bar, soft spice, chewy tannins and wood notes; a balanced yet deep finish with moderate spice.” – WWA Judges

Find Your Next Bottle: $170

15 Stars is not a traditional distillery. It is a blending house founded by Rick Johnson and Ricky Johnson, based in Bardstown, Kentucky. The focus is on sourcing and blending mature bourbon rather than distilling it in-house.

The Artisan Collection is a blend of straight bourbons from Kentucky and Indiana, combining 15-year and 12-year components. It is bottled at 109 proof. 

Mashbills are not disclosed, which is typical for sourced blends. Instead, the emphasis is on how the barrels are selected and combined. The Johnsons work with stocks aged in different warehouses and environments, then adjust the final blend to balance oak, sweetness, and structure.

This release was limited to around 1,000 bottles and positioned at the premium end of the category.

Ole Smoky Popcorn Sutton Bourbon

Award: Gold

Tasting Notes: “Taffy, vanilla and pecan on the nose; on the palate, ripe fruit, dried leather, orange candy, sassafras, cinnamon discs, butterscotch and oak; a warm finish with buttery leather and cinnamon.” – WWA Judges

Find Your Next Bottle: N/A

This release sits within the portfolio of Ole Smoky Distillery and draws on the legacy of Popcorn Sutton. Sutton was a well-known figure in Appalachian moonshine culture, producing illicit corn whiskey in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. 

His name now appears on a range of legal spirits, including this bourbon, as part of a broader brand story rather than a direct continuation of his methods.

The bourbon itself is a blend of straight bourbons sourced from Tennessee and North Carolina, bottled at 100 proof. 

The release first appeared in late 2023. Availability is inconsistent, with distribution varying by region and some stock tied to Ole Smoky’s own locations.

A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength

Award: Gold

Tasting Notes: “Candied apples layered with a subtle hint of smoke. The palate delivers a bright, fruit-forward character, revealing notes of ripe plums and cherries balanced by delicate sweet florals. The finish is warm and lingering, unfolding into rustic honey with deep, resonant undertones that leave a lasting impression.” – A. Smith Bowman website 

Find Your Next Bottle: $481

Produced by A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia, this is an annual release that sits well outside the usual Kentucky conversation. The distillery dates back to the end of Prohibition and remains one of the oldest operating sites on the East Coast.

The cask strength series was introduced in 2021 and is built from barrels selected over the course of a year. Each batch is bottled uncut and non-chill filtered, with recent releases ranging from around 135 to nearly 140 proof. The newest release, 2026, was bottled at 137.6 proof. 

On the World Whiskies Awards website, the winning expression is listed at 67.5% ABV, which suggests that it is Batch 3. However, this batch was released in early 2024. So, it would make sense that a more recent expression would have been entered. Watch this space for an update. 

Barrels are typically aged for nine to ten years, with some batches going beyond that. Selection is handled by distiller David Bock, who blends the final release from a small number of casks.

One point often discussed is production. Bowman is known for triple distillation, which is unusual for bourbon, and for working with distillate that is then re-distilled and matured in Virginia.

Availability is limited. Releases are often sold through lotteries and small allocations rather than general retail.

The Best Bourbons at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, Up Close

This is a tight group of winners from a very specific part of the World Whiskies Awards. No finishes, no special formats, just straight bourbon judged on production and maturation.

Each one arrives at this point through a different route. That is part of what makes this category so continuously interesting, despite the strict regulations that producers must stick to. 

If you have tried any of these, or think something else should have made the list, share your thoughts in the comments.