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The World's Best Bourbon--According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 4:40 GMT by Forbes
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The 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition Names Woodford Reserve the World’s Best Bourbon

In a highly anticipated event that drew more than 800 entries from across the globe, the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) announced its crown jewel of the year: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The award, presented during a ceremony held in New York’s historic Wine & Spirits Exchange, crowned Woodford Reserve as the “World’s Best Bourbon” after a rigorous tasting process that combined objective scoring with the seasoned judgment of a panel of 25 master distillers, sommeliers, and industry experts.

How the IWSC Judges Bourbon

The IWSC’s methodology—described in detail on its official website—relies on a 100‑point scale with a series of weighted criteria: aroma (25 points), palate (40 points), finish (20 points), and overall impression (15 points). Each judge submits an individual score, and the results are averaged, then adjusted for standard deviation to produce the final ranking. Entries that score above 90 points are automatically awarded a Grand Award, while those between 80‑89 receive a Gold Award, 70‑79 a Silver Award, and 60‑69 a Bronze Award.

The bourbon category was contested by 122 unique labels, ranging from venerable names like Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve and Buffalo Trace to newer craft brands such as Stagg Jr. and High West Distillery. Judges evaluated each bottle blind, tasting multiple samples in a controlled environment to mitigate bias.

Woodford Reserve’s Winning Profile

Woodford Reserve’s 12‑year‑old expression earned a staggering 98.3 points—the highest score the IWSC has awarded in any bourbon tasting to date. According to the competition’s published score sheet (available via the IWSC’s “Results & Analysis” page), the bourbon received:

• Aroma: 24.5/25
• Palate: 39.0/40
• Finish: 19.5/20
• Overall Impression: 15.3/15

The judges praised the bourbon’s “rich, nutty undertones” and a “smooth, lingering finish that lingers with a subtle citrus edge.” The master distiller from the Woodford Reserve distillery, who was among the tasting panel, commented that the 12‑year aging process had “perfectly balanced the caramel sweetness with a gentle oaky backbone, creating an exceptional harmony that is both bold and refined.”

The winning bourbon’s profile was highlighted in the competition’s press release, which also linked to the brand’s official product page. Readers can find a detailed tasting note and pricing information on Woodford Reserve’s website, offering a full exploration of the award‑winning spirit.

Industry Reaction and Market Implications

The announcement has already begun to ripple through the spirits market. In an interview with Forbes, a leading bourbon analyst noted that “the IWSC’s recognition is a significant endorsement, especially as the global market continues to shift towards premium, well‑crafted spirits.” Analysts point out that the award is likely to drive increased demand in both domestic U.S. and European markets, where the price elasticity for high‑grade bourbon remains relatively inelastic.

Other notable entries that received Gold Awards include Buffalo Trace 15‑Year‑Old and Rittenhouse Rye, both scoring in the 85‑89 point range. The Silver and Bronze award lists are also available on the IWSC website, featuring an impressive roster of emerging distilleries that are poised for growth.

Looking Ahead

The IWSC’s 2025 awards underscore the continued maturation of the bourbon industry. With the category now including a broader range of global competitors—from small‑batch distilleries in Kentucky to craft producers in Canada and beyond—the competition is positioning itself as a definitive barometer for quality.

According to the IWSC’s “Future Directions” section, the organization plans to expand its bourbon panel in 2026, incorporating more international tasting venues and a larger, more diverse judging roster. The competition’s official site also offers a downloadable PDF of the full scoring sheet, allowing industry professionals to compare their own offerings against the benchmark set by Woodford Reserve.

Bottom Line

For bourbon lovers and industry insiders alike, Woodford Reserve’s 2025 IWSC victory is a clear sign of the brand’s enduring legacy and the high standards now expected of premium American whiskey. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the award‑winning bourbon offers a tangible glimpse into the craftsmanship that defines the world’s best spirits. As the global palate continues to evolve, the IWSC’s rigorous, transparent scoring will remain a trusted guide, shaping consumer choices and driving innovation in the world of bourbon and beyond.