This year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition featured many gold medal winners from around the world, but to no one’s surprise, the best worldwide whiskey and best bourbon both originate from one U.S. state: Kentucky .
On Oct. 4, the IWSC announced the spirits that won trophies in the 2024 competition after judges re-tasted this year’s gold medal winners. Amid some stiff competition, Kentucky-based Coors Spirits Co.’s Five Trail Barrel Proof Batch 003 Blended American Whiskey was crowned the best whiskey in the world. The best bourbon in the world also hails from The Bluegrass State, as Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.’s High Rye Bourbon Kentucky Straight Whiskey was named the best bourbon on the planet .
Both spirits offer unique flavors that won the hearts of the professionals who tasted thousands of spirits in this year’s competition.
Coors Spirits’ whiskey is described as containing “big enticing aromas of malted cereal, sweet creamy milk chocolate and crisp red berries,” according to the IWSC . “The deliciously silky palate drips with the flavors of candied spiced nuts,” they said, resulting in “a gorgeous mouthfeel that boasts a satisfyingly velvety finish.”