Our reviews team sampled countless bourbons in 2024. Ranging from Bottled-in-Bond expressions to experimental cask finishes, there was no shortage of profiles to explore and review. The no-fee nature of our competition ensures that our reviewers are open and honest about what they consider to be the best bourbons that the United States has to offer.
In the inaugural Whiskey Wash Awards, 45 bourbons were awarded a medal – Double Gold, Gold, or Silver. Today, we delve into the medal winners, discussing some notable winning expressions and their histories. A full list of medal-winning bourbons can be found here.
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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition
Medal: Double Gold, Category Winner, Whisky Of The Year
Score: 10
Category: Bourbon
Official Tasting Notes: Cinnamon toast, nutmeg, allspice, oak, honey, vanilla, baking spice, pepper
BUY NOW: $2,035
Original Review: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition Review
Not only did the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary win a Double Gold Medal, it has also been named the bourbon category winner, and our Whisky of the Year.
Bottled in February 2024, this Old Fitzgerald bourbon was distilled in September 1999 from a mash bill comprising 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. The barrels were emptied in March 2013 after aging for 13 years. It was then stored until bottling in celebration of 25 years since Heaven Hill Brands acquired Old Fitzgerald in 1999.
This age statement is very impressive considering the fluctuating temperatures in Kentucky. The extreme heat can often make it difficult to age a bourbon for such a time. Additionally, there is a school of thought that anything over around 12 years is ‘too old’ for bourbon, with the spirit perhaps going past its best. However, this 13 Year Old expression truly puts that notion to bed.
Nino Kilgore-Marchetti, The Whiskey Wash founder and reviewer, sampled this expression in June 2024, and was truly blown away. He said: “So this was released a few months ago as an exclusive Kentucky release to select retailers, along with at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown. If you can track down a bottle, do it – you won’t regret it – a legendary release.”
Recently, we asked Nino, on reflection, how he feels about this expression. Nino said: “Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition, quite frankly, is one of the most amazing whiskeys I’ve had the pleasure of trying over the years. Easily top five of all time. If you can track down a bottle, do it – you won’t regret it – a legendary release worthy of being crowned Whisky of the Year by The Whiskey Wash.”
The whiskey was bottled as part of Old Fitzgerald’s VVS (Very Very Special) releases – these are part of the Bottled-in-Bond Decanter series but are released very rarely. The Bottled-in-Bond Decanter series usually sees two installments per year – one in the Spring and one in the Fall.
King’s County 5 Year Old Private Barrel (Exclusive To Hedonism Wines)
Medal: Gold
Score: 9
Category: Bourbon
Official Tasting Notes: Brown sugar, maple, candied nuts, oak, vanilla, milk chocolate, char
BUY NOW: $175
Original Review: King’s County 5 Year Old Private Barrel Review
This King’s County 5 Year Old is a marriage of barrels from King’s County Distillery in Brooklyn, NY. Although the age statement is 5 years, there are a number of older whiskeys in this bottle.
According to Hedonism, to which the bottle is an exclusive, the marriage of barrels is “closely mimicking the Scotch definition of a “Single Cask” or Cognac-style élevage.” Bottled at 63.5% ABV, the bourbon certainly packs a punch.
Phil Dwyer, Whisky Wednesday creator at Manager of The Whisky Shop, Manchester, sampled this expression in October 2024 and was enthralled by its decadent and indulgent nature. Scoring in 9 out of 10, he noted: “As a bourbon guy at heart, this is rather delicious and is right up my street. The flavour profile it offers is up there with some unicorn level stuff from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Russell’s single casks, etc. If you’ve got the cash spare and want something genuinely delicious, this is for you.”
Phil also notes that King’s County 5 Year Old Private Barrel is very affordable in comparison to other, similar bottlings: “Bourbon and American whiskey are expanding rapidly, offering more variety than ever. However, when it comes to bottles comparable to King’s County 5 Year Old, many of the options you might be searching for are either unavailable or priced far higher than you’d want. Fortunately, King’s County doesn’t suffer from these challenges.”
$175 may seem like a lot for a 5 Year Old blend of straight bourbons. However, the taste experience that it will take you on is, in Phil’s opinion, well worth the price tag.
Milam & Greene Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Medal: Gold
Score: 9
Category: Bourbon
Official Tasting Notes:
BUY NOW: $65
Original Review: Milam & Green Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Milam & Greene, a Texas-based operation that sprawls across multiple states, is spearheaded by CEO, Master Blender, and author Heather Greene, and Master Distiller Marlene Holmes. The two women split their time between Blanco, Texas, and Bardstown, Kentucky, allowing them to distill using both pot stills and column stills using unique yeast strains.
Greene and Holmes recently responded to requests from fans to release a Bottled-in-Bond expression, much to the delight of whiskey fans across the United States.
Milam & Greene Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey was distilled in the Fall of 2019 from a mash bill comprising 70% corn, 22% malted rye, and 8% malted barley. After a minimum of four years in level #4 char white oak barrels, it was bottled in Spring 2024 at 50% ABV. Bottled from just 72 barrels, the whiskey has an inherent rarity. It also happens to be absolutely delicious.
Speaking at the time of release, Heather Greene said: “We’ve been eagerly monitoring the maturation of this bourbon for almost five freaking years and watching how it has developed into its gorgeous flavors over time. I am over the moon with how this turned out. Using the column stills in Kentucky and adherence to the Bottled in Bond Act regulations added a refinement and subtlety that fans of traditional bourbon will love.”
Nino, who reviewed this expression in May of 2024, was entranced by the malted rye twist on this Bottled-in-Bond bourbon. Awarding the bourbon a score of 9 out 10, he said: “If you’re looking for a unique spin on a bottled-in-bond bourbon, given the malted rye presence, you’ve found it in Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This is dialed tight, hitting the proper tasting considerations at the right moments. Well done.”
Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection Mizunara Oak
Medal: Gold
Score: 9
Category: Bourbon
Official Tasting Notes: Nutmeg, allspice, walnut, leather, mint, honey, wood, orange, tobacco, custard, banana, cinnamon, dark cherry, chocolate
BUY NOW: $1,500
Original Review: Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection Mizunara Oak
Rabbit Hole Distillery is an architectural wonder located in Louisville, Kentucky. The distillery was founded by Kaveh Zamanian, a former clinical psychologist who ‘fell down the rabbit hole’ of bourbon and American whiskey when he met his wife Heather – a Louisville native.
Rabbit Hole’s Founder’s Collection consists of limited edition, cask strength bottlings of some of Kaveh’s most prized barrels. The series is designed to “develop unique expressions that showcase his creativity and commitment to the artistry of whiskey making,” according to the brand.
The Founder’s Collection Mizunara Oak contains bourbon selected from Zamanian’s personal collection – the source is not disclosed – that was then finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak from Hokkaido.
Speaking at the time of release, Zamanian said: “When I finally got my hands on a handful of elusive casks from a small family-owned cooperage in Japan, I knew I wanted to create something special to honor the mystique and beauty of Hokkaido’s oak trees. I chose barrels from my personal collection of Kentucky straight bourbon—each aged to perfection for 15 years—and finished them in casks made of the finest Japanese mizunara oak for more than 11 months. This special-edition whiskey exemplifies the innovation and creativity that goes into each of our Founder’s Collection releases.”
Bottled at 51.9% ABV, the run of bottles was extremely limited. If you can get your hands on one..do.
Nino reviewed this expression in July 2024, stating: “Rabbit Hole has always been known for delivering whiskeys with unique profiles, and Founder’s Collection Mizunara Oak is certainly no exception. It is well-rounded in every facet, and for those with over $1k lying around, it is a nice bottle. – 9/10.”
Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024)
Medal: Gold
Score: 9
Category: Bourbon
Official Tasting Notes: Pear, panela, ripe apple, leather, basswood honey, ripe stone fruit, caramel, vanilla, honey, butterscotch
BUY NOW: $115
Original Review: Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024)
This limited edition bourbon from Yellowstone is a blend of seven and 17-year aged bourbons finished in French brandy and cognac casks. The bourbon is bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV).
“The 2024 expression of Yellowstone Limited Edition represents my natural progression of experimenting with special finishes over the years,” said Stephen Beam at the time of its announcement. “Now, finished bourbons have become sought after by fans who want to push the flavor profile. I love experimenting and exploring new opportunities, and using a double finish with brandy and cognac casks created a more complex and nuanced bourbon, opening a whole new experience for consumers to enjoy.”
Upon tasting in August 2024, Nino said: “Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) plays well to its strengths, particularly the double cask finishing. You can appreciate the nuances of flavor moment by moment in what feels like a well-thought-out expression—nicely done.” He scored the whiskey a 9 out of 10.
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Yellowstone Bourbon is a historic American whiskey brand with roots dating back to 1872. Originally produced by J.B. Dant, son of the legendary distiller Joseph Washington Dant, it was named after the newly established Yellowstone National Park. The brand grew in prominence, eventually being acquired by Glenmore Distillery. After changing hands several times, it was revived by Limestone Branch Distillery in 2015, led by Stephen Beam, descendants of both the Dant and Beam families.
Today, Yellowstone Bourbon is known for its rich, smooth profile, with flagship expressions like Yellowstone Select and the limited-edition Yellowstone Limited Edition releases.
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