Four standout bourbons have earned Best in Class honors at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, cementing their status as the top examples of their respective styles.
This year’s winners span from legacy Kentucky names to bold new players. The competition, organized by The Tasting Alliance, the same team behind the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, recognized excellence across four major categories: Small Batch Bourbon, Straight Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon, and Wheated Bourbon.
Each of these bottles was judged blind and emerged as best in class. And one of them, Green River Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon, took the top spot overall. Named Best Bourbon of 2025, it beat out rare and ultra-premium bottles to take the crown.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s winners, and why they’re worth your next pour.
Best Overall Bourbon, Best Wheated Bourbon – Green River Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon
Tasting Notes from the NYWSC: “A richly textured bourbon, opening with aromas of peppery spice followed by a palate of grains, oats, and creamy butterscotch layered with hints of oak. This all leads to a smooth, long finish where grain fades into soft honey, spice, and warm barrel notes.”
Find Your Next Bottle: From $31
Green River’s wheated bourbon has gone from quiet contender to breakout star. Produced at the historic Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, this bottle claimed not just Best Wheated Bourbon but also the title of Best Overall Bourbon at the 2025 NYWSC. It’s a major win for a distillery that only returned to shelves in 2022.
This straight bourbon features a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% malted barley, aged in new charred oak and bottled at 90 proof. There’s no special cask finish or flashy packaging—just well-made wheated bourbon with real Kentucky heritage. It’s also priced at around $35, making its win even more remarkable.
Owned by Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River is now part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This bottle shows why wheated bourbon deserves more attention, and proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to drink like a champion.
Best Single Barrel Bourbon – Blanton’s Gold
Tasting Notes from the NYWSC: “An elegant and refined bourbon, presenting a dry and austere aroma of rich oak intertwined with bright notes of orange peel and warm banana bread, leading to a beautifully balanced palate where delicate cherry and creamy vanilla mingle with subtle butterscotch, all tempered by peppery tannins and smooth oak, culminating in a finish that deepens the oak presence while leaving a lasting, harmonious touch of sweetness; truly a pleasure to savor.”
Find Your Next Bottle: From $125
Blanton’s Gold is not new to bourbon fans, but its win as Best Single Barrel Bourbon at the 2025 NYWSC has reasserted its place among the finest. Bottled at 103 proof, this expression delivers more power and depth than the original Blanton’s—and is widely considered the standout of the line.
It’s produced at the iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, and aged in the legendary Warehouse H. Made from the brand’s high-rye mash bill, each bottle comes from a single barrel handpicked for balance and complexity.
Blanton’s Gold was once reserved for international markets. Today, it’s available in the US through limited annual allocations. Expect concentrated caramel, spice, and tobacco notes, with the richness that comes from extra proof. It’s a collector’s favorite for good reason.
Best Straight Bourbon – The Garden Reserve – The Spirit of New York Sports Straight Bourbon
Tasting Notes from the NYWSC: “A richly expressive and elegantly crafted bourbon, opening with inviting aromas of toasted oak and warm baking spices, unfolding into a palate of brown sugar, dried apples, sweet caramel, and silken butterscotch layered with gentle, rising heat, and concluding in a smooth, lingering finish that balances concentrated flavor with refined oak and a satisfying, enduring warmth.”
Find Your Next Bottle: Local availability
A new name has entered the bourbon conversation. The Garden Reserve, a collaborative release from Bespoken Spirits and St. John’s University’s NIL collective, claimed Best Straight Bourbon at the 2025 NYWSC. It’s the first release from a growing series aimed at supporting college athletes—and it’s already winning on the world stage.
This is a 114 proof straight bourbon, finished using Bespoken’s precision wood stave technology rather than traditional barrel aging. While the source distillate is undisclosed, the results are clear: this is bold, modern bourbon with real structure and depth. There are no additional cask finishes, just custom oak work designed to enhance body and complexity.
The release is limited and regional, with availability focused on the New York metro area. It’s a bottle built for fans but designed for serious bourbon drinkers: rich, expressive, and already shaking up the category.
Best Small Batch Bourbon – Peg Leg Porker Grey Label 8 Year Old
Tasting Notes from the NYWSC: “An expressive bourbon that opens with vibrant aromas of grape jelly, cherry, cashews, brown sugar, and bright notes of orange peel, leading to a balanced and luscious palate where fruity sweetness melds with chocolate, oak, and creamy vanilla fudge, complemented by hints of brown sugar, citrus, and black tea, and finishing long and complex with refreshing touches of orange, mint, and marzipan for a sweet, lasting finish.”
Find Your Next Bottle: $110.99
Peg Leg Porker Grey Label 8 Year Old has built a loyal following, but its win as Best Small Batch Bourbon at the 2025 NYWSC puts it firmly in the national spotlight. Founded by Nashville pitmaster Carey Bringle, this brand blends barbecue culture with Tennessee whiskey tradition.
The bourbon is sourced from Tennessee (reportedly George Dickel) and filtered through hickory charcoal from Bringle’s own BBQ pits—a unique twist that gives the whiskey subtle smoke and a savory edge. It uses a carefully selected mash bill, aged 8 years and bottled at 90 proof.
There are no cask finishes or infusions. The flavor comes from traditional aging and that final hickory charcoal polish. Distribution remains limited, but demand is growing. It’s a bourbon that tastes like where it comes from—bold, distinctive, and deeply Southern in character.
Bourbon At Its Best
From Kentucky classics to bold new ventures, this year’s Best in Class bourbons show just how wide the spectrum of American whiskey has become. Whether it’s a high-proof single barrel, a value-driven wheated pour, or a smoky Tennessee standout, each winner brings something unique to the glass.
Want more award-winning bottles? Explore our other coverage of top spirits from around the world, including Scotch, Japanese whisky, world blends, and more.