The Best American Whiskey From The 2025 World Whiskies Awards
The World Whiskies Awards (WWA), part of the prestigious World Drinks Awards program, are organized by The Drinks Report, a division of Paragraph Publishing, an industry leader in beverage media. The awards recognize the very best in all internationally recognized styles of whisky. Below are brief descriptions and tasting notes on the whiskeys that have already been judged as The World's Best and the Best American Whiskeys in their respective categories.
Each year, whiskies from around the globe, including various categories of American whiskeys, are rigorously blind judged by an independent panel of the world's top whisky experts to determine the best in each category and, ultimately, the best in the world.
Judging American whiskeys at the World Whiskies Awards involves a multi-stage process, with the initial judging round held in Kentucky and the final round in Washington, DC. The whiskeys are judged on appearance, nose, taste, finish, balance, character, and complexity. American whiskeys at the WWA are judged across several categories, reflecting the diversity of the American whiskey landscape. The five main whiskey categories are Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Corn Whiskey, and Single Malt Whiskey.
At the end of the judging process, awards are given to the category winners. The top whiskies from each category are then re-judged at a final round in London in February to find the 'World's Best' in various overarching global categories like the World's Best Whisky or the World's Best Single Malt.
This week, the World Whiskies Awards will announce the final 2025 World Whisky Awards results. Below is a summary and tasting notes for the 2025 American Whiskey Category Winners.
The following American whiskeys have won the World's Best 2025 accolades in their respective categories.
The Old Fitzgerald 2024 Very Very Special (VVS) offers a rich, velvety texture with a harmonious blend of caramel, toasted oak, and hints of dark chocolate, underpinned by a subtle spiciness and a long, smooth finish. For an in-depth look at Old Fitzerald 2024 VVS, see America's Top Bourbon Crowned at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
The other finalist was Old Elk High Malt Straight Bourbon, 46% ABV, 750 ml.
The Jack Daniel's Bonded Triple Mash showcases a robust profile with intertwined flavors of caramel, ripe orchard fruits, and rye spice, complemented by a smooth, lingering finish marked by toasted oak and vanilla notes. See also The World's Best Tennessee Whiskey.
The other finalists were Storm King Side Gig, 45% ABV, 750 ml, and Jacob's Pardon Small Batch #3, 71.4% ABV, 750 ml.
Jack Daniel's Tennessee 12 Years Old Batch #2 delivers a rich and complex flavor profile, featuring deep notes of caramelized sugar, toasted oak, and dark fruits, enhanced by a bold, warm finish with a hint of spice and smoke.
The other finalist was Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Batch #32, 59% ABV, 750 ml.
The team from Jack Daniel's accepting their awards at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards (USA)
Wenzel Sherry Cask Bourbon offers a rich, luxuriously smooth palate of dark cherries, dried fruits, and sweet sherry, underscored by spicy undertones and a long, oaky finish.
The other finalist was Highline Double Oaked Bourbon, 55% ABV, 750 ml.
Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon presents a robust and intense experience, with vibrant notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, balanced by a spicy rye kick and a lingering, warm finish. See also The World's Best Small batch and Single Barrel Bourbons
The other finalist was 1792 Small Batch 46.8% ABV, 750 ml.
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel bursts with bold flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and a mix of baking spices, complemented by a rich, oaky undertone and a fiery, enduring finish.
The other finalist was Tumblin' Dice Single Barrel Bourbon, 56.9% ABV, 750 ml.
Here are the category winners who won Best American Whiskey in their categories and are vying for the World's Best accolade against other world whiskies.
Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS (Very Very Special) 13 YO Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon was selected as the World's Best Bourbon
The other finalist was Mary Dowling Whiskey Company Winter Wheat, 45.5% ABV, 750 ml.
The other finalists were Highline Triple Rye, 48.5% ABV, 750 ml, and Sazerac 18 YO, 45% ABV, 750 ml. See also The World Best American Rye Whiskey.
The other finalist was Distillery 291 Whiskey Barrel Proof Single Barrel, 67.4% ABV, 750 ml.
The other finalist was Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength, 59% ABV, 750 ml.
The other finalist was Westland Garryana Edition 9, 50% ABV, 750 ml.
The other finalists were Boulder Spirits Leave No Trace, 53.5% ABV, 750 ml, and The Notch Nantucket, 15 Years Old, 48% ABV, 750 ml.
The other finalist was Hogback Wallace Collection Peated Single Malt Barrel #39, 62.4% ABV 750 ml.
The 2025 WWA underscores that American whiskey is thriving, with bold experimentation and innovation from new craft distillers to legacy producers pushing American whiskey's aroma and taste boundaries. The best of American whiskey is genuinely world-class and well worth exploring. Stay tuned for upcoming, exclusive coverage of the final results of the world's best whiskies from the World Whiskies Awards.
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