For years, the big names in bourbon have dominated the conversation. Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Maker’s Mark — these are the brands that show up on best lists, line the back bars at serious whiskey spots, and fill the shelves of collectors. So when a smaller, independent distillery out of Newport, Kentucky walks away from one of the most respected competitions in the world with the title of World’s Best Bourbon, people take notice.
That is exactly what happened last week at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards America, held at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville. New Riff Distilling, an independent Kentucky operation that has been quietly building a loyal following over the past several years, took home the top prize for its Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. In a room full of heavy hitters and household names, this was the bottle that impressed the judges most.
Image credit: New Riff Distilling…