With an easy-drinking charm, warming spice and toasted oak, bourbon is one of the most approachable styles of whiskey in the world. It’s a category that rewards both the casual sipper, and those looking for something more serious.
The story of the all-American spirit is hotly debated, with a host of different local legends attributing its creation to several famous names. What is known for certain is that bourbon got its start with farmers in the late 18th century who found a clever use for extra grain, transforming corn into something far more worthwhile. The practice was widely adopted in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee where bourbon gradually began to find its identity.
In truth, the spirit didn’t firmly establish itself until the mid-20th century, with much of its earlier progress devastated by Prohibition. The rules that define bourbon today were formalised in the decades that followed, helping to establish the category as a distinctly American style of whiskey. Today, all bourbon must have a mash bill of at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. Within these rules, however, there’s plenty of room for variation, resulting in everything from soft sweet and approachable whiskeys to complex, oak-driven expressions built for considered sipping.
This year’s IWSC results paint an interesting picture of the current state of bourbon with some impressive scores across a broad range of styles. Judges rewarded everything from classic, well-aged expressions to bolder, more contemporary releases.
Sitting at the top of the list, Willet Distillery Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond 4 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey earned overwhelming praise from IWSC judges who awarded it 98 points and commented on its ‘bright and grain-forward aromas’, alongside its ‘dry palate where marmalade and brioche melds seamlessly with a delicate floral touch’. This rare bottling is only available in Kentucky, and features the original Willet family mash bill.
Other standout bottles this year include ‘easy-drinking, delightfully sweet’ Kentucky Beau Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Heaven Hill Brands, alongside characterful releases like James B. Beam Distilling Co Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Frank August Case Study 06 Legacy Reserve 8 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
The Bluegrass State wasn’t the only bourbon-producing state to win at this year’s IWSC. Indiana features three times on the list below, with expressions from Redemption and King’s Family Distillery taking home Gold medals. Producers from Nevada, Louisiana and Tennessee also all struck gold, proving that good bourbon doesn’t have to be made in its traditional Kentucky heartland.
Read on to discover the top-performing bottles from the IWSC 2026, a selection that shows just how impressive bourbon is right now.
HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
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Club Oenologique is a premium lifestyle publication for curious and discerning wine and spirits lovers. Renowned for inspiring stories and trusted expertise, we connect people to the joys of the world, through the lens of wine, spirits and other interesting drinks. Based in London, our team of expert writers seek out thoughtful stories that introduce our readers to new people, places, drinking discoveries and insights, as well as exploring fresh perspectives on familiar themes.
17 top bourbons from the IWSC 2026
Willett Distillery, Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond 4 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Heaven Hill Brands, Kentucky Beau Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Frey Ranch Distillery, Inaugural Batch 1 10 YO Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Seven Three Distilling, Whiskey Tree Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucke County, Straight 6 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
James B. Beam Distilling Co, Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Redemption Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Frank August, Case Study 06 Legacy Reserve 8 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Heaven Hill Brands, Larceny Barrel Proof C925 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey, Single Barrel Captain’s Choice Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Four Roses Bourbon, Small Batch Select 6 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Rabbit Hole Distillery, Dareringer in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Rabbit Hole Distillery, Raceking Five Grain Double Chocolate Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
King's Family Distillery, 10 YO Bourbon Whiskey
O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey, Flagship Batch 5 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Belle Meade Bourbon, Reserve 11 YO Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Redemption Bonded Single Barrel 6 YO Bourbon Whiskey
