The World's Best Bourbons, According To The Beverage Testing Institute

Forbes

a day ago

Hundreds of bourbons were evaluated at the BevTest 2025 bourbon judging. getty
America's finest bourbons took center stage at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) awards, where one standout scored a remarkable 96 points and earned a coveted Platinum medal. Thirteen other exceptional bourbons, dominated by Heaven Hill brands, followed close behind with Gold medal honors, showcasing the depth, craftsmanship, and diversity of American whiskey. Below are BevTest's top-ranked bourbons, along with official tasting notes and background on each bottling.
This 12 YO bourbon is produced at the Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, KY, from its standard mash bill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. It scored 96 points and was awarded a Platinum medal. It was a Japan-exclusive bottling for many years, but this age-stated bourbon is now more widely available in the US.
The bourbon features aromas of caramel, tobacco leaf, maple syrup, and seasoned oak. It's rich and full-bodied on the palate, showcasing notes of caramel, charred wood, cinnamon, and baked apple. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of leather, vanilla, wood spices, and seasoned oak.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the bourbon as expressing 'aromas of caramel apple, banana custard, and corn candy along with flavors of bittersweet candied pumpkin seeds, butterscotch, and charred marshmallow. Bittersweet, warm, lightly smoky, and caramelized flavors are perfect for a bold take on an Old Fashioned or on the rocks to let it mellow and open.'
Produced at Heaven Hill, Elijah Craig uses the distillery's standard mash bill. It scored 95 points and was awarded a gold medal. The bourbon is non-chill-filtered and bottled at cask strength. It's released in three batches annually. Batch C924 is aged roughly 12 years and bottled at full cask strength.
On the nose, the bourbon features brown sugar, clove, tobacco leaf, and burnt caramel. It's robust and complex on the palate, showcasing flavors of charred oak, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and black cherry preserves. The finish is long with a notable alcohol burn, featuring lingering notes of vanilla, caramel, and rye spices.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the bourbon as expressing 'aromas of maple-cinnamon-praline, butterscotch, and Grand Marnier along with flavors of pastry crust, walnut tart, and tobacco—a roaring dragon of a straight bourbon whiskey.' Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Bourbon, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $21
Another Heaven Hill standout, this bourbon uses the distillery's standard mash bill. Often found at retail for under $20, it offers exceptional value for a bourbon consistently ranked among the best. It's named for the year Evan Williams began distilling and blended from a small number of barrels aged 6–8 years. It scored 95 points and was awarded a gold medal.
The bourbon features aromas of toffee, nutmeg, baked apple, and sweet oak. It's smooth and sweet on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, peanut brittle, honey, and a touch of candied orange zest. The finish is long and silky, with lingering notes of oak spice and vanilla cream.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the bourbon as featuring 'aromas of walnut, caramel roll, and wood dried stone fruit, along with flavors of almond, nectarine, and maple. A superb everyday sipper that won't break the bank to pair with cigars or to make cocktails.'
Bourbon and cheese make an excellent pairing getty Evan Williams Master Blend Bourbon, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $249
This bourbon is a limited blend of multiple Evan Williams expressions, often including older barrels and occasionally wheated or higher-rye variations. It scored 95 points and was awarded a gold medal
The bourbon features vanilla, dried stone fruit, and seasoned oak on the nose. The palate showcases flavors of caramelized sugar, charred wood, dried apricot, and cinnamon. The finish is long and smooth with lingering spice notes.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the bourbon as expressing 'aromas of beef fat, maple biscuit dough, pumpkin, and cherry, along with flavors of pecan tart, dates, and mint. Warm and balanced, it showcases everything you want in a fine 90-proof Bourbon, making it a slam dunk in a mint julep.' Evan Williams 2016 Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon, 43.3% ABV, 750 ml. $29
Vintage-specific bourbons are unusual, though they are eliciting growing consumer interest. This bottling is aged between 7 and 8 years. Each bottle indicates vintage year, barreling date, and bottling date. It scored 95 points and was awarded a gold medal.
The bourbon features aromas of vanilla, honey, and toasted nuts. It's light and smooth on the palate, showcasing subtle notes of orange peel, spice cake, and cocoa powder. The finish is medium length and slightly drying with lingering notes of seasoned oak and dark cherry syrup.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the bourbon as exhibiting 'aromas of caramel apple, orange-pecan creme brûlée, and nutmeg along with flavors of cinnamon, buckwheat, and linden honey. Rich and balanced classic bourbon that is a joy to drink on the rocks or in a classic cocktail.' Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $49
Bottled-in-bond and aged at least 7 years, this expression replaced the previous 6-year-old version. It scored 95 points and was awarded a gold medal.
The bourbon features aromas of aged leather, baking spices, nougat, and citrus peel. It's rich and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of honey, rye spices, toasted marshmallow, and seasoned oak. The finish is long with a candied sweetness and lingering notes of caramel and vanilla fudge.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the bourbon as featuring 'aromas of peanuts, butterscotch, and dried caramel along with flavors of cinnamon oatmeal, maple, and pecans. Smooth and complex, with nutty and toffee flavors and an intriguing note of buttered sweet corn.'
Also scoring Gold medals with a score of 93 points were Overbrook Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Heaven Hill 'Grain To Glass' Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Happenstance Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel, Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Evan Williams Black Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey also won Gold medals and scored 92 points. Jim Beam Black Aged 7 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, another Gold medalist, scored 90 points.
From heritage brands like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig to rising stars like Overbrook and Happenstance, this year's top-scoring bourbons at BevTest reflect a vibrant and evolving American whiskey landscape. With styles ranging from bottled-in-bond to barrel proof and flavor profiles spanning caramel and charred oak to butterscotch and tobacco, these winners offer something for every bourbon enthusiast—whether you're building a serious collection or simply seeking a perfect evening pour. More From Forbes Forbes The Best Buys In Single Barrel Bourbon—According To The Top Spirit Competitions By Joseph V Micallef Forbes America's Top Bourbon—According To The Beverage Testing Institute By Joseph V Micallef