What is the best bourbon in the world? And does such a thing even exist? To answer that question, we looked at the most medal-winning bourbons from the biggest spirits competitions of the last decade and compiled a “Bourbon Hall of Fame” list of the most medal-winning bourbons. For space reasons, we’ve limited the list to the top five.

Not a week goes by without a spirits competition or a whiskey magazine announcing its title for the world’s best bourbon. In 2023, there were over 50 bourbons that could claim the title of world’s best bourbon. They were all excellent, but to name more than 50 bourbons as the world’s best seems like a contradiction.

There are currently over 2,000 different types of bourbon available. The best 5%, or around 100, regularly win medals. Choosing the world’s best among these candidates is highly subjective, regardless of the quality of the evaluation.

Which one you personally consider to be the best will largely depend on the type of bourbon you like. All of these varieties are worthy of being inducted into a Bourbon Hall of Fame, and each one can rightfully claim the honor of being the best in the world.

This is the first of a four-part series examining the most awarded bourbons. Parts one and two examine the “Hall of Fame” bourbons from major producers, while parts three and four examine the “Hall of Fame” bourbons from craft producers.

Here is the first set of Hall of Fame bourbons. More to come.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Introduced in 1984, it is known as the world’s first single barrel bourbon. It sets the standard for premium bourbons and remains an industry classic.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Single Barrel Bourbon

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose offers rich aromas of caramel and vanilla with hints of nuts and spices. The palate is full-bodied with notes of honey, citrus and oak. The finish is long and smooth, with a subtle spiciness.

Eagle Rare 10 years is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is an award-winning bourbon known for its consistent quality and complexity and is aged for at least 10 years.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points

The nose is toffee, hints of orange peel, herbs, honey, leather and oak. The palate is powerful and dry, with delicate notes of candied almonds and rich cocoa. The finish is long and dry, with lingering caramel and orange peel notes.

Four Roses Small Batch Select is produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Known for its unique blending process, Four Roses combines multiple recipes to create complex and balanced bourbons.

Awards:

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Small Batch Bourbon

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose reveals aromas of raspberries, cloves and nutmeg, while the palate reveals apricots, berries, vanilla and a hint of oak. The finish is long and smooth.

Elijah Craig Small Series is produced at the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named after Reverend Elijah Craig, who is often credited with inventing bourbon, this small batch is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

On the nose there are notes of vanilla pods, sweet fruits and fresh mint. On the palate there are notes of wood, spices, smoke and nutmeg. The finish is long and warm, with a spicy kick.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is produced at the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is an unfiltered and cask strength version of the classic Maker’s Mark and offers an intense and bold flavor profile.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

On the nose there are caramel, vanilla and a hint of oak. The palate is deep and rich, with flavours of toffee, dark chocolate and spice. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering sweetness.

Woodford Reserve, double oak is produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. This bourbon is aged in two separate oak barrels, which enhances the rich flavor and smoothness of the bourbon.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

On the nose it offers notes of dark fruit, caramel and charred oak. On the palate there are vanilla, honey and spice notes with a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is long and smooth, with a lingering oak note.

Knob Creek, 9 years old is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. Knob Creek is part of Jim Beam’s small batch collection and is known for its bold, full-bodied profile.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose offers rich notes of caramel, vanilla and toasted oak. The palate is full-bodied with aromas of caramel, toffee and spices. The finish is long, warm and slightly sweet.

Wild turkey, rare breed is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Rare Breed is a cask-proof bourbon that is bottled directly from the barrel without dilution.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Barrel-Proof Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 94 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

On the nose, vanilla, spices and a hint of smoke. On the palate it is powerful and spicy, with aromas of caramel, vanilla and a hint of oak. The finish is long and warm, with a lingering spice.

Old Forester 1920s Prohibition style is produced at the Old Forester Distilling Co. in Louisville, Kentucky. Old Forester’s 1920 Prohibition Style is part of their Whiskey Row series and offers a bold flavor profile reminiscent of the era.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 95 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Gold

The nose has rich aromas of caramel, vanilla and dark chocolate. The palate is rich and spicy, with aromas of toffee, oak and dark fruit. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering spice.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Buffalo Trace is one of the most award-winning distilleries in the world and the bourbon of the same name is known for its balanced and complex flavor profile.

Awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold

World Whiskeys Awards: Best Bourbon

Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 points

International Wine and Spirits Competition: Gold

Global Spirits Masters: Master Medal

The nose has aromas of vanilla, mint and molasses. The palate is sweet with notes of brown sugar and spices. The finish is long, soft and warming.

These bourbons are among the most respected and highly awarded spirits in the world. Each variety has been carefully crafted by its respective distillery and reflects a deep commitment to quality and tradition. These varieties have earned their place among the best, whether through innovative production methods, unique aging processes or a dedication to preserving the art of bourbon making.

Their numerous awards at prestigious international competitions underscore the excellence they bring to the bourbon category, making them not just drinks but experiences that whiskey enthusiasts around the world can enjoy. If you’re a bourbon lover, you’ve probably tried them all. If not, you definitely should.

This selection is among the finest available for anyone seeking a rich, complex and rewarding bourbon experience. They are all “Hall of Fame” bourbons and each of them can rightfully claim the crown of the world’s best bourbon. Which one is crowned is entirely up to you!

You can also find more bourbons from major producers in “The Bourbon Hall Of Fame: More of the Top Rated Whiskies” as well as in “The Bourbon Hall Of Fame: More of the Top Rated Craft Whiskies” and “The Bourbon Hall Of Fame: More of the Top Rated Craft Whiskies”.