American whiskey isn’t just about bourbon. Rye, single malt, blended, Tennessee whiskey—there’s a broad and growing spectrum of styles made across the United States.
The 2025 New York World Spirits Competition reflected this diversity with strong entries in every non-Bourbon category. Rye, in particular, continued its comeback, with spicy, structured examples taking several top medals. Meanwhile, American single malt gained further traction, with distillers showcasing a refined sense of regional identity.
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Here is a round-up of the American whiskeys that impressed the judges outside of the bourbon field. A useful guide for anyone eager to explore the richness of American distilling beyond the usual suspects.
| Whiskey Name | Medal |
| Traveller Whiskey |
Double Gold
Best Blended American Whiskey |
| 10th Street Peated Single Malt Port Cask Finish Whiskey |
Double Gold
Best Special Barrel-Finished Whisk(e)y |
| K.LUKE Whiskey Company Small Batch Toasted Barrel Strength Batch 5 Rye Whiskey | Double Gold Best Rye Whiskey |
| 15 STARS Three Kings Fine Aged Whiskey | Double Gold |
| Bespoken Alchemist Series Release #012 Straight Rye Whiskey Finished With Amburana Wood | Double Gold |
| Southern Star Bourbon | Double Gold |
| Southern Star Paragon Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon Single Barrel | Double Gold |
| Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year Single Malt Whiskey | Double Gold |
| 10th Street Peated Single Malt Wine Cask Finish Whiskey | Gold |
| 6666 American Blended Whiskey | Gold |
| Bainbridge Battle Point Small Batch Wheat Whiskey | Gold |
| Oaklore Distilling Co North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey | Gold |
| Shiner Craft Spirits ‘Shine Craft Corn Whiskey | Gold |
| Shiner Craft Spirits Cinnamon ‘Shine Cinnamon Flavored Corn Whiskey | Gold |
| Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey | Gold |
| Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey | Gold |
| Stranahan’s Original Single Malt Whiskey | Gold |
| Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Single Malt Whiskey | Gold |
| The American Barrel Strength Whiskey | Gold |
| Three Floyds Distilling Bubblegumhead Whiskey | Gold |
| TINCUP Straight Rye Whiskey | Gold |
| Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | Gold |
| Union Horse Distilling Co. Reunion Straight Rye Whiskey | Gold |
| Bainbridge Battle Point French Oak Straight Wheat Whiskey | Silver |
| Bespoken “The Epic – Saga II” Straight Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Beyond Distilling Company Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Castle & Key Restoration Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Doc Porter’s Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Doc Porter’s Single Malt Whiskey | Silver |
| Early Times Blended Whiskey | Silver |
| High West Campfire Whiskey | Silver |
| High West Double Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| King’s Family Distillery Ryeconic Twice Barreled Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Knob Creek 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey | Silver |
| Larado 8 Year Old Small Batch Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Larado Proper Reserve Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Oak & Grist Distilling Company 5 Year Single Barrel American Single Malt Whiskey | Silver |
| Old Hickory 15 Year Old Hermitage Reserve Barrel Proof Whiskey | Silver |
| Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| Southern Star Paragon Bottled In Bond Wheated Bourbon | Silver |
| Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask Single Malt Whiskey | Silver |
| The First Millionaire Sacramento Single Malt Whisky | Silver |
| Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey | Silver |
| TINCUP Aged 6 Year Old Mountain Whiskey | Silver |
| Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey | Silver |
| Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 | Silver |
| Uncle Nearest Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey | Silver |
| Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 | Silver |
| Bainbridge Two Islands Sakura Cask Wheat Whiskey | Bronze |
| LANCASTER PORTER CASK RARE Single Malt Whiskey | Bronze |
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