In this article, we explore the standout blended American whiskeys that earned accolades at the prestigious awards. From blended bourbons to blended whiskeys, each brand/distiller has a different take on the category. With profiles spanning gold-medal winners to community-driven brands, these whiskeys reflect the rich diversity and innovation at the heart of the American whiskey landscape.
What Is Blended Whiskey?
Firstly, let’s take a look at what we mean by ‘blended whiskey’ in this context.
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In the United States, “blended whiskey” is defined as “Whisky produced by blending not less than 20% on a proof gallon basis (excluding alcohol derived from added harmless coloring, flavoring or blending materials*) straight whisky or a blend of straight whiskies and, separately or in combination, whisky of any type or neutral spirits.”
Notably, while standard straight bourbon prohibits additives, blended bourbon permits the inclusion of coloring and flavoring agents within the specified limits.
As such, blended whiskey is a very broad category that can encompass a variety of styles.
For more specifics on the blended whiskey requirements in the United States, visit the TTB website.
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Each blended whiskey detailed below received a medal (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) in the ‘Blended’ category of U.S. Winners at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. Let’s talk about them.
Barrell Craft Spirits Bourbon Batch 035
Medal: Bronze
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Jammy, cooked fruits, lemon curd, cherry, banana bread, birch beer, tiramisu, olive, thyme, cocoa butter, molasses, Mexican hot chocolate, cinnamon, dried chili peppers, grapefruit peel, absinthe, pinecone, baking chocolate, eggnog, tahini, lime zest, amaretto, coconut, rye spice, slate, fennel, cola.
BUY NOW: £91.94 (~$115)
Bourbon Batch 035 from Barrell Craft Spirits, is a revered whiskey from Barrell’s historic portfolio. The whiskey is a multi-mash bill (78% corn, 18% rye, and 4% malted barley) blend of bourbons aged 6, 7, 8 and 13 years. The 6 and 7 year old bourbons were high-proof and high rye, and were combined with a softer, lower-proof 8 year old. Once married, these whiskeys were blended with a beautiful, fruit-forward 13 year old.
As you can see from the extensive tasting notes above, Batch 035 is a multi-layered and complex bourbon whiskey that allows for detailed exploration.
This particular expression was also ranked #11 in Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2023.
Barrell Craft Spirits, based in Kentucky, specializes in blending and bottling unique, cask-strength whiskeys. Known for its innovative approach, the brand sources premium barrels from various distilleries, crafting complex, limited-edition releases. Its commitment to transparency and quality has earned Barrell Craft Spirits acclaim among enthusiasts seeking bold, flavor-forward experiences.
Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon Whiskey
Medal: Bronze
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, candied orange, apple, dry cacao, brown sugar, vanilla, white pepper
BUY NOW: $42.99
Breckenridge Distillery, nestled in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, is renowned for its award-winning spirits, particularly its high-rye bourbon. Leveraging pristine alpine water and high-altitude aging, it produces rich, nuanced flavors. Beyond whiskey, the distillery crafts gin, vodka, and rum, offering a celebrated visitor experience with tours, tastings, and a gourmet restaurant.
Crowded Barrel Alchemy Series Magnificent Beasts Jackalope
Medal: Silver
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Raisin, fig, liquor, bread, dark chocolate, jam, tobacco, black tea, allspice, berries, cream, toasted almonds, pepper, wood, oak oil
BUY NOW: $110
Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.’s Jackalope is part of the Alchemy Series Magnificent Beasts. A blended American whiskey bottled at 50% ABV, it is very approachable and easy to drink.
There is not a huge amount of information online about this expression. For example, I cannot find a reference to the makeup of the blend – if you know, get in touch!
However, the company is certainly not shy about the ethos that produces these award-winning expressions. Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co., based in Austin, Texas, distinguishes itself as the world’s first crowdsourced whiskey distillery, engaging its community in every facet of its operations.
Founded in 2018 by Rex Williams and Daniel Whittington, the distillery emerged from the success of their YouTube channels which cultivated a substantial following of whiskey enthusiasts.
The distillery’s innovative approach involves its patrons not only in funding through platforms like Patreon but also in decision-making processes, including the selection of whiskey styles and production methods.
Additionally, Crowded Barrel’s commitment to transparency and collaboration extends to sourcing, blending, finishing, and experimenting with whiskeys from various distilleries. This cooperative ethos means that Crowded Barrel is truly pushing the envelope with what is possible in whiskey.
Early Times American Blended Whiskey
Medal: Silver
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Honey, caramel, lemon peel, sweetness
BUY NOW: N/A
Early Times American Blended Whiskey, established in 1860 by Jack Beam, is a venerable Kentucky brand now produced by the Sazerac Company. The name Early Times pays homage to traditional whisky-making techniques, which involved mashing grain in small tubs and distilling the spirit in copper stills over open flames.
Historically, Early Times gained prominence during Prohibition by securing a license to produce medicinal whiskey, which bolstered its reputation. In 1923, the brand was acquired by Brown-Forman, under whose stewardship it became one of America’s best-selling whiskeys. In 2020, Sazerac Company purchased Early Times,
Again, there is not much information about the components of this American Blended Whiskey. You may have to sample the expression and try to guess for yourself.
Jefferson’s Tropics Aged In Humidity
Medal: Silver
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Baking spices, cinnamon, clove, Bing cherry, toffee, sea salt
BUY NOW: $90
Jefferson’s Bourbon was founded in 1997 by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet, a bourbon historian. The father-and-son duo fostered an experimental attitude to bourbon production and they continue to push the boundaries of whiskey making whilst also honoring distillers past.
This particular expression is a recent addition to the Jefferson’s lineup. In 2019, 720 barrels of bourbon were shipped to Singapore and aged for an additional 18 months in the city-state which has an average daily temperature of 82.1 Fahrenheit and an average humidity of 83.9% ABV.
Then, the barrels were shipped back to the U.S. where the bourbon was blended and bottled by Trey Zoeller.
Exposure to the intense heat and humidity “caramelized and intensified the bourbon flavors,” according to the brand website, resulting in a rounded, sweet, and smooth bourbon.
Smooth Ambler Contradiction
Medal: Gold
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Oak, dried cherries, vanilla, cinnamon, sweetness, leather
BUY NOW: $37
The clue is in the name with Smooth Ambler Contradiction, which blends the brand’s staple, sweet, wheated West Virginia bourbon with delicious bourbons sourced from elsewhere in the United States. Contradiction is “a blend of whiskey we make with whiskey we do not,” according to the brand website.
The merchant bottled and sourced bourbon was distilled from a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley and combined with Smooth Ambler’s corn, wheat, and malted barley bourbon. Whilst the expression contains whiskeys of various ages, the majority of the spirit is more than nine years old.
Expertly blended for a consistent taste profile, the bourbon is smooth, viscous, and perfectly sippable.
Smooth Ambler, based in West Virginia, is renowned for crafting and sourcing premium American whiskeys. Combining traditional distillation methods with innovative blending, the brand produces award-winning expressions like Contradiction and Old Scout. Smooth Ambler’s commitment to quality and transparency has earned it a loyal following among whiskey enthusiasts worldwide.
Jefferson’s Marian McLain
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Citrus, pepper, caramel, brown sugar, baked apples, vanilla, honey, corn, cinnamon, red fruit
BUY NOW: $239
This expression from Jefferson’s Bourbon is a tribute to founder Trey Zoeller’s eighth-generation grandmother and one of the first documented women in American whiskey – Marian McLain.
Marian McLain was a war-widowed mother of five in post-Revolution America. A formidable woman determined to feed her family, she began distilling American whiskey and moonshine to support her children. She was eventually arrested for bootlegging and moonshining in 1799, becoming one of the earliest documented female whiskey makers.
In her honor, Trey Zoeller expertly blended five distinct bourbon whiskeys to create a meticulous blend. The composition is as follows:
- 40% 11-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Imparts rich, classic bourbon notes.
- 21% 14-Year-Old Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Adds depth and complexity.
- 17% Rum Cask Finish Bourbon: Introduces subtle sweetness and tropical nuances.
- 14% Wheated Double-Barrel Bourbon: Contributes smoothness and a mellow profile.
- 8% 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Enhances the blend with youthful vigor.
The tribute whiskey was bottled at 51% ABV and was initially released in April 2023.
Barrell Craft Spirits Foundation Bourbon
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Blended
Tasting Notes: Honey, candied strawberry, dark cherry, grilled cantaloupe, lavender, fennel, cocoa, brown butter, cardamom, grilled peaches, hazelnut, lemon, lime, maple pecans, dark chocolate, cinnamon, tiramisu, lemongrass, toffee, vanilla pudding
BUY NOW: $59
Barrel Foundation from Barrell Craft Spirits is the brand’s first non-cask strength bourbon. It is, however, bottled at a robust 100 proof. Distilled from a derived mash bill of 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley, the whiskey was aged for five years prior to bottling.
The blend is comprised of whiskeys from the following states:
- Kentucky: 8 years old
- Indiana: 5, 6, & 9 years old
- Tennessee: 8 years old
- Maryland: 5 & 6 years old
According to the brand website, “We applied the same meticulous, scientific approach to blending that we put behind all of our products to this 100-proof release. Our goal was to create a versatile, easy-drinking, full-flavored bourbon perfect for enjoying neat or over ice.”
