The World’s Best Bourbon—According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Competition

The International Wine and Spirits Competition has been going on for quite some time. In fact, few of its industry counterparts can claim the pedigree and legacy of this annual event, initially founded in 1969 by world-famous oenologist Anton Massel.

For its 2025 iteration, its esteemed panel of judges reviewed entries from more than 90 different countries across the globe, awarding scores — out of 100 — across a total of 7 major categories of spirit. Most of those winners have been exhaustively showcased on our site.

But today we’re taking a closer look at what was deemed the year’s best bottle of bourbon: Frank August Small Batch. It’s hardly a household name. After earning a higher score than any other American whiskey at the 2025 IWSC, that’s surely about to change. Here’s everything you need to know about the $77 selection, including how to get your hands on it.

Frank August is a non-distilling producer. This release comes from Kentucky, aged for a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof. Although “small batch” has no legal meaning in the eyes of federal labeling laws, this one is believed to be assembled from 10-15 barrels per release.

According to the judges who sampled it at IWSC — a four person panel, which included venerated master distiller, Dr. Bill Lumsden — this is a whiskey with a particularly fruity blend of undertones. Here are the exact tasting notes provided by the competition:

“The alluring aroma presents a delightful mix of apple tart, custard, and intriguing dried apricots. On the palate, a refined medley of buckwheat honey, dried apricots, vanilla, and warm spice unfolds, while the finish offers a satisfying hint of leather.”

After sampling the spirit, we can say that the dried apricot element is particularly poignant. We’d also add that it mines boldness in body without overwhelming the palate with any alcoholic heat; an acrobatic act that eludes many lesser offerings. The closest comparison it conjured to our tongue was from a high-rye Buffalo Trace expressions, like Blanton’s or Elmer T. Lee. Good company to be counted among. And unlike those other offerings, Frank August isn’t preciously allocated.

It is, however, sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery — though, some internet sleuths have suggested a Wilderness Trail provenance. Wherever it comes from, the bourbon ultimately ends up in an elegant, nondescript decanter. It’s actually somewhat conspicuous in its inconspicuous presentation. As the brand was launched in 2022 by Johnathan Crocker, a former fashion exec, it’s no surprise that this is a bottle that sits pretty on the shelf. And yet absent any label, the auburn-hued liquid within is what is actually being showcased.

Regardless, the judges sipped this one in the blind. So we know its packaging had nothing to do with the kudos it received. The fact that it looks pretty is just a happy bonus. And one that will surely have friends asking you questions about the bottle should it end up on your shelf in the near future. Now you’ll have some answers.