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Sazerac Company Named American Whiskey Producer Of The Year For Fifth Time

Of the 46 medals won by Sazerac Company brands at this year’s ISC, 32 of them were in the American whiskey category.
  • Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash and a graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme. With over half a decade of industry experience, she is passionate about writing stories that highlight innovation, diversity, and sustainability across the global whisky landscape.
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Sazerac Company, owner of brands such as Buffalo Trace and Pappy Van Winkle, has been named American Whiskey Producer of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) for the fifth consecutive year. 

The International Spirits Challenge has been running for 29 years, awarding medals to the best spirits around the world via a rigorous tasting and evaluation process. Sazerac Company won 32 medals in the American whiskey category, with the weighted points system giving the company the overall win. 

Medals Won By Sazerac Company Brands 

Of the 46 medals won by Sazerac Company brands at this year’s ISC, 32 of them were in the American whiskey category. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon won big with the “trophy” award, which is the highest honor awarded within the tasting category. 

Other winners include: 

Gold – 

  • 1792 Aged 12 years
  • 1792 Bottled in Bond
  • 1792 Full Proof
  • 1792 Single Barrel
  • 1792 Small Batch
  • Benchmark Single Barrel
  • Benchmark Small Batch
  • E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
  • Eagle Rare 10-year-old
  • Eagle Rare 17-year-old
  • Sazerac 18
  • Sazerac Rye
  • Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • W. L. Weller 12-year-old
  • W. L. Weller Antique 107
  • W. L. Weller C.Y.P.B.
  • W. L. Weller Full Proof
  • W. L. Weller Single Barrel
  • W. L. Weller Special Reserve


Spirits entered into the ISC are meticulously evaluated through a 23-day process of blind tastings conducted by over 75 seasoned industry professionals. Judges assess each product’s aroma, appearance, taste, and finish, and these criteria are combined to decide the medal each entry may receive.

Harlen Wheatley, Sazerac Master Distiller 

“We are humbled to receive the American Whiskey Producer of the Year award for the fifth consecutive year. This award is more than just an honor- it’s a testament to our team’s relentless dedication, craftsmanship, and passion for making quality spirits. As we celebrate this achievement, we are reminded that consistency and innovation go hand in hand with creating award-winning whiskey.” 

Beth Squires

Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash with over half a decade of industry experience. She possesses comprehensive knowledge of the global whisky landscape, spanning everything from heritage and production to complex market analysis. A graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme, which champions women in whisky, Beth is a dedicated advocate for diversity and sustainability, focused on highlighting the innovation and storytelling that define the modern whisky industry.

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