The American Whiskey Masters 2025 results
Despite a drop in demand for American whiskey, the range of quality offered by distillers shows this is a sector not to be ignored.
While demand may have dipped for US-made whiskey, there are still some wins for the category, including the new American single malt designation.
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the US and IWSR, American whiskey volume sales in the US fell by 2.7% in 2024 to 30.3 million cases and by 1.8% in value to US$5.2 billion.
But while volumes may have declined, there is still some optimism that tariff-free trade will eventually resume between the EU and the US after both sides agreed a deal on 27 July to cut tariffs in half to 15%.
Meanwhile, acquisition activity in the industry continued in May, when Scotch maker Loch Lomond entered the category by taking over New York Distilling Company – a sign that whiskey is still a worthy business investment. But how do the best American whiskeys stand out in a crowded marketplace? From rye whiskey and Bourbon to bottlings from Tennessee, the category was put to the test in our annual competition, The American Whiskey Masters.
Stereo in London’s Covent Garden played host to this year’s blind tasting, where six panels of judges gathered to sample some of the finest expressions from the US.
The first panel was chaired by Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business, who was joined by James Bunting, founder of New Make Communications. The second panel included: Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange ambassador; Miona Madsen, content writer for The Spirits Business and the drinks business; and Antony Moss, independent sustainability consultant, who chaired the group.
David T Smith, drinks writer, consultant and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo chaired the third panel, sitting alongside spirits new product development consultant Rosie Milsom. A fourth group included Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant and founder of Ruchira’s Table, who acted as chair, judging alongside Nick Larsson-Bell, senior buyer at Harvey Nichols.
The fifth set of judges included Vicky Ilankovan, executive director of Equal Measures UK, and Dan Greifer, bar supervisor at Black Parrot in London, who chaired the panel. The sixth and final panel was chaired by Karen Taylor, director of Whisky For Everyone and included spirits writer Ian Wisniewski. Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC), carried out additional tastings after the day of the competition.
The competition kicked off with a round of premium blends (priced up to £30), resulting in a Gold for Sazerac’s 6666 Whiskey, which was praised for its “sweet coffee note on the palate, caramel, dates, caramelised apples”.
The next price segment in the category, Blended – Super-Premium (priced between £31 and £50), led to a Gold for Traveller Whiskey, with hints of “toffee popcorn, Medjool dates, gentle spice, and cinnamon”.
Premium Bourbons were put to the panels next, and a pair of Masters from Sazerac Company were discovered. The first was given to Buffalo Trace, which Kiely praised for its “decadent aroma of cereal and candied orange peel”, along with “warm spice and heat from the slightly higher ABV”. Early Times Bottled in Bond secured the second Master of the day, lauded for its “unique savoury-kind of note on the nose, kind of grassy – different but in a good way”. It was described as “well-integrated” with its ABV of 50%. Sazerac also took home a Gold for WL Weller Special Reserve.
Moving up to the Super-Premium segment (Bourbons priced between £31 and £50), and five Masters were found. RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With French Oak was a Master recipient, which Ilankovan enjoyed for its notes of “redcurrant, clove, nutmeg and a touch of anise on the palate, with ripe red apple, plum and vanilla”.
Sazerac Company won over the judges with four Masters in this heat: 1792 Full Proof, 1792 Bottled in Bond, 1792 Small Batch, and Bowman Brothers Small Batch.
Kiely appreciated 1792 Full Proof, which offered a “slightly resinous nose. Dried fruits, raisins and oak on the nose. This is a big whiskey at 62.5% ABV – but wow, the skill in this. It is palatable even at this strength. Water opens it up, stone fruits on the nose, a silky texture, tannins, fruit, peach, apricots, shortbread – stunning. Thoroughly enjoyable – a great example of what Bourbon can do.”
Judges noted how Bowman Brothers Small Batch was a “bargain”, with a “great balance and classic Bourbon qualities: beautifully balanced caramel and toffee with oak influence, spice and a slight dryness”.
Meanwhile, 1792 Small Batch was lauded for being “a big and bold Bourbon”. Kiely added: “The palate brings big flavours, dry oak spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, a touch of praline, caramel, sweet toasted nuts, maple syrup and mahogany wood and furniture polish. Complex and bold – it holds water well. A splash of water brings more fruitiness out of the whiskey.”
Stablemate 1792 Bottled in Bond had a “grassy aroma, fresh, slightly herbaceous (coriander-like)”, said Kiely. “The 50% ABV is carried exceptionally well. It starts gently then builds into a dry, tannin-forward profile. There’s woodiness, light spice, jammy fruits –berries and apricot – and sweet dates. Stunning. A cracking Bourbon for under £50.”
Sazerac secured a hat trick of Golds for: the “well-balanced and approachable” Eagle Rare Bourbon, with its sweeter flavour profile; Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finish, enjoyed for its notes of “raisins, cinnamon and vanilla”; and 1792 Single Barrel, which had “great texture”, and “stone fruits” on the palate.
Classic in style
Sazerac also scooped a trio of Masters in the following heat, Bourbon – Ultra-Premium, which assessed whiskeys priced over £51. Among them was John J Bowman Single Barrel, which was “classic in style, and very well made”, said Kiely. “For 50% ABV, this is well-balanced. Oaky and woody, but lots of character. Add a splash of water, the texture holds well. Dry and spicy with lovely dates, caramel, sticky toffee pudding sweetness. The finish lingers with a hint of pepper.”
The high-ABV George T Stagg (68%) offered “vanilla, light peach and Digestive biscuits on the nose” with the addition of water adding “juicy stone fruits, tannins, warm baking spices, raisins and toffee”.
Meanwhile, WL Weller CYPB had a “classic profile done very well – warm baking spices, corn, sweet cereal bars, a touch of toffee apple, raisins and dry oakiness”.
Eight Golds were also awarded in this flight, including five to Sazerac and one for RD1 Spirits. The other Golds were given to GreatDrams Bourbon PX Cask and Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon, which offered “baked apples, raisins, and bread and butter pudding”.
In the Bourbon – No Age Statement round, Orang Tua, secured a Silver medal.
Three more products joined the Masters rank in a tasting of Bourbons aged up to seven years old. The first was given to Brother’s Bond Original Cask Strength Straight Bourbon, bottled at 57.9% ABV.
Greifer praised the whiskey for its “rich and sweet nose”. He added: “The corn influence is strong on this one, giving peach cobbler with the sweetness of the corn. The palate delivers on what the nose promises.”
Four Barrel from Windows Distillery was another Master winner, and Neotia was a fan: “Salted caramel and corn mash. A touch of mint and lavender, cinnamon and crushed cloves. Great mouthfeel and a sweet but bright finish. Absolutely delicious.”
Completing the Master line-up was Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon. Smith said of the expression: “Superb, rich and complex – some fruit wine notes, deep complexity and good alcohol integration, with peach and peanut brittle.”
The flight ended on a strong note, with eight Golds, including three for Four Roses Bourbon. Gold winner Four Roses Straight Bourbon offered “perfumed, violet and gentle rye-like spice notes on the nose with pear drops, melon, lemon balm and fresh thyme”. Other Gold medallists in the flight included Tincup Bourbon (with a “toasted cereal and caramel waffle” aroma), Rare Saint Trinity of Port (“Christmas cake, bittersweet chocolate, dark plum and kirsch cherries”) and James Ownby Reserve, where a “touch of savouriness surprises in the midst of the typical Bourbon notes of maple syrup, baking spices and dried fruit”.
The last of the Bourbons to be tasted were expressions aged over eight years old, resulting in seven Golds. Sazerac scooped two more Golds in this round for its Eagle Rare 17 Years Old and WL Weller Single Barrel, alongside two Silver medals.
Meanwhile, Proximo Spirits won three Golds for its Pendleton 1910 Bourbon, Tincup Fourteener, and Tincup 10 Years Old. The latter whiskey was “creamy and robust with flavours of caramel and rich fruit”.
American Bourbon from Atom Brands and Four Roses Single Barrel were also Gold winners. The former provided a “lovely soft butterscotch aroma” while the palate delivered “dried fruit notes with prunes and apricots, then crème brûlée”.
Larsson-Bell noted how quality was particularly high in the Bourbon segment. “It was good to see the producers not just bottling the highest ABV they could, and instead getting some great balance,” he said.
Tennessee time
Moving over to whiskeys from Tennessee and Uncle Nearest scored three Golds in total in the Premium and Super-Premium flights.
In the Premium heat, Gold winner Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey impressed the judges with its “soft and fruity palate with banana and nutty touches”.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey and Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey secured Golds in the next price bracket. The latter offered a “fruity nose, with stewed apples, raisins and some leather”.
The sole Master winner in the Tennessee contingent was awarded to Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 in the Ultra-Premium heat. Abbott said: “Spiced toffee nose, rich and fruity palate with well-controlled spice and liquorice touches. Lots of wood but well-integrated.” A Gold was also awarded to Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032, said to be “vibrant with citrus, musty wood and spices, nutmeg”.
The next segment to be tested was single malts, which gained legal recognition as its own category in the US earlier this year.
Warfield Organic American Single Malt Whiskey took the top award in the Super-Premium heat, praised by Milsom for its “pineapple fizzy fruitiness and pastry on the nose with some furniture polish. Palate is smooth and well-integrated with sweet fruity notes, and a luxurious mouthfeel, a touch of heat and a long-lasting finish.”
Proximo Spirits won a duo of Golds in the following round, No Age Statement, for its Stranahan’s Blue Peak and Stranahan’s Original. The judges said the former had “sweet dark toffee caramel on the nose, some cocoa, and corn flakes”.
The Single Malt – Aged up to 7 Years round led to another pair of Golds, for Stranahan’s Sherry Cask and Warfield ‘The Local’ American Single Malt Whiskey. The former was praised for its “really appealing nose, dried fruit coming through instantly, showing undeniable Sherry influence”, while Warfield ‘The Local’ was “rounded and creamy” with “vegetal smoky notes” on the nose.
The Master standard continued in the final round of single malts, this time aged more than eight years. Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Years gained acclaim from the judges, with Larsson-Bell calling it a “really approachable and tasty whiskey”, with “some sweetness and a touch of spice” on the aroma. Neotia said the expression had “taken a leaf out of the Asian single malts playbook”, detecting flavours of “salty toffee, dried fruits, and acacia honey. Silky smooth honeyed oat cream and a delicately sweet finish.”
Nicely balanced
Rye whiskey proved to be a success among the panels, with Sazerac Rye securing a Gold in the Premium round of the competition. The judges described this whiskey as a “great rye example” with “classic spice notes” that were “nicely balanced with sweetness and caramel”. Thomas H Handy (62.5% ABV) was a highlight of the rye contingent, taking home a Master in the Ultra-Premium heat.
Kiely noted: “A tangy profile – this is vibrant, zesty, nothing like you’d expect from a typical rye profile. cinnamon, orange, sweetness on the nose. Tannins, dryness, orange zest, digestives – huge flavour profile. Needs some water to cool the heat.”
A Gold was bestowed upon Beyoncé’s SirDavis whiskey in the Rye – No Age Statement round, enjoyed for being “light and peppery” with a “touch of malty cereal notes with more perfumed rye coming out”.
Another Gold was given in the Rye – Aged up to 7 Years for Tincup Rye from Proximo Spirits. Judges noted its “sweet and citrusy nose” and flavours of “orange Jelly Tots, poached pears with clove, dark plum and lemon oil”.
The last rye heat, Aged Over 8 Years, was fruitful for Master winner Sazerac Rye 18 Years Old. Kiely added: “Dried currants on the nose, fresh tobacco and some resin. Some toffee sweetness but not overpowering, dryness, oak spice, cinnamon, cooked pears and apples. Complex, delicious and well made.”
After rye came a tasting of Other Grains, where a Gold was given to Tincup Original. It was described by one judge as a “refined whiskey” with “light sweetness then some astringency, lovely spice, good dry finish and a touch of creaminess”.
The Elvis Presley Collection: Peanut Butter Banana Moonshine was the recipient of two Gold medals in both the Moonshine and Other Unaged Whiskey flight and the Flavoured Whiskey heat. It was lauded for its “fresh peanut aroma, plenty of peanut and toffee, caramel sweetness and vanilla nuances”.
Joining the Gold ranks in the flavoured round was Ole Smoky’s Salty Caramel Whiskey, which had an “appealing nuttiness on the nose to bring out the sweetness of caramel”.
The last round of the competition left a lasting impression on the judges with Buffalo Trace grabbing a Master for its Bourbon Cream during a tasting of whiskey-based liqueurs. Kiely enthused: “Creamy, sweet, vanilla aroma. Palate is delicious – great texture, vanilla notes. Almost rum and raisin ice cream-like. A crowd-pleaser.”
As with every blind tasting run by The GSMC, one product is awarded with the top Taste Master title. After all of the Master winners in the competition were repoured and retasted, it was decided that Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 was deserving of the recognition.
Following the end of the competition, the judges deliberated how American single malts were a standout, and should be a category to watch. Summing up the round, Neotia said: “For this newly approved category, there are some really good examples. They will compete well with the burgeoning Asian single malt whiskies.”
Larsson-Bell added that it was a major step up in terms of quality: “Compared with previous iterations of American single malts I have tried, there was some real complexity and interesting flavour profiles. A very strong category.”
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Blended – Premium | ||
| Sazerac Company | 6666 | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | Early Times American Blended Whiskey | Silver |
Blended – Super-Premium |
||
| Sazerac Company | Traveller Whiskey | Gold |
Bourbon – Premium |
||
| Sazerac Company | Buffalo Trace | Master |
| Sazerac Company | Early Times Bottled in Bond | Master |
| Sazerac Company | WL Weller Special Reserve | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Silver |
Bourbon – Super-Premium |
||
| RD1 Spirits | RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With French Oak | Master |
| Sazerac Company | 1792 Full Proof | Master |
| Sazerac Company | 1792 Bottled In Bond | Master |
| Sazerac Company | 1792 Small Batch | Master |
| Sazerac Company | Bowman Brothers Small Batch | Master |
| Sazerac Company | Eagle Rare Bourbon | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | 1792 Single Barrel | Gold |
| Castle & Key Distillery | Castle & Key Wheated Small Batch Bourbon | Silver |
Bourbon – Ultra-Premium |
||
| Sazerac Company | John J Bowman Single Barrel | Master |
| Sazerac Company | George T Stagg | Master |
| Sazerac Company | WL Weller CYPB | Master |
| RD1 Spirits | RD1 Spirits Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood | Gold |
| GreatDrams Whisky | GreatDrams Bourbon PX Cask | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | EH Taylor Small Batch | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | WL Weller Antique 107 | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | WL Weller Full Proof | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | 1792 Sweet Wheat | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | A Smith Bowman Cask Strength | Gold |
| Blanton’s Distilling Company | Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 103 Proof | Gold |
| Blanton’s Distilling Company | Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Silver |
| Blanton’s Distilling Company | Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Cask Strength | Silver |
Bourbon – No Age Statement |
||
| Orang Tua | Black Jack | Silver |
Bourbon – Aged up to 7 Years |
||
| Brother’s Bond Bourbon | Brother’s Bond Original Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Master |
| Windows Distillery | Four Barrel | Master |
| Castle & Key Distillery | Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon | Master |
| Proximo Spirits | Tincup Bourbon | Gold |
| Prime Aged Spirits | Rare Saint Trinity of Port | Gold |
| Ole Smoky Distillery | James Ownby Reserve | Gold |
| Windows Distillery | Batch One | Gold |
| Four Roses Bourbon | Four Roses Straight Bourbon | Gold |
| Four Roses Bourbon | Four Roses Small Batch | Gold |
| Four Roses Bourbon | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Gold |
| Famille Cabanne | American Craft Bourbon – Maurice | Gold |
Bourbon – Aged Over 8 Years |
||
| Atom Brands | American Bourbon | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Pendleton 1910 Bourbon | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Tincup Fourteener | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Tincup 10 Years Old | Gold |
| Four Roses Bourbon | Four Roses Single Barrel | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | Eagle Rare 17 Years Old | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | WL Weller Single Barrel | Gold |
| Sazerac Company | 1792 Aged 12 Years | Silver |
| Sazerac Company | WL Weller Aged 12 Years | Silver |
Tennessee – Premium |
||
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey | Gold |
Tennessee – Super-Premium |
||
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | Gold |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey | Gold |
Tennessee – Ultra-Premium |
||
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 | Master & Taste Master |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 | Gold |
Single Malt – Super-Premium |
||
| Sun Valley Distillery | Warfield Organic American Single Malt Whiskey | Master |
Single Malt – No Age Statement |
||
| Proximo Spirits | Stranahan’s Blue Peak | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Stranahan’s Original | Gold |
Single Malt – Aged up to 7 Years |
||
| Proximo Spirits | Stranahan’s Sherry Cask | Gold |
| Sun Valley Distillery | Warfield ‘The Local’ American Single Malt Whiskey | Gold |
Single Malt – Aged Over 8 Years |
||
| Proximo Spirits | Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Years | Master |
| Proximo Spirits | Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask | Silver |
Rye – Premium |
||
| Sazerac Company | Sazerac Rye | Gold |
Rye – Ultra-Premium |
||
| Sazerac Company | Thomas H Handy | Master |
Rye – No Age Statement |
||
| SirDavis American Whisky | SirDavis American Whisky | Gold |
Rye – Aged up to 7 years |
||
| Proximo Spirits | Tincup Rye | Gold |
Rye – Aged Over 8 Years |
||
| Sazerac Company | Sazerac Rye 18 Years Old | Master |
Other Grains |
||
| Proximo Spirits | Tincup Original | Gold |
Moonshine and Other Unaged Whiskey |
||
| South Mountain Distilling Company | The Elvis Presley Collection: Peanut Butter Banana Moonshine | Gold |
Flavoured Whiskey |
||
| South Mountain Distilling Company | The Elvis Presley Collection: Peanut Butter Banana Moonshine | Gold |
| Ole Smoky Distillery | Salty Caramel Whiskey | Gold |
Whiskey Liqueur |
||
| Sazerac Company | Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream | Master |
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