Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Wins Best Single Barrel Bourbon 2025
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel has been awarded Best Single Barrel Bourbon 2025 at the World Whiskies Awards, distinguishing itself with a rich and powerful profile that captured the judges' attention. The result reinforces the growing prestige of single barrel expressions as snapshots of individual cask excellence, with Kentucky distilleries maintaining their leadership in the category.
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Key Takeaways
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel earns top honours for its bold, barrel-strength complexity.
Jack Daniel’s and Four Roses round out the podium, showing Tennessee and Kentucky’s dominance in single-barrel quality.
Judges highlighted the appeal of high-proof, unfiltered releases in showcasing unique cask character.
Best Single Barrel Bourbon 2025 – Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel
Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel showcases the depth and individuality of Kentucky’s finest single barrel selections. Bottled unfiltered at barrel strength, this expression revealed exceptional richness, structure, and intensity. Judges noted the combination of leathery oak, sweet spice, and warm finish as hallmarks of a top-tier cask.
Aroma | Oak and leather, toasted pecan, dark honey, nutmeg |
|---|---|
Palate | Caramel, dried fruits, bold peppery spice |
Finish | Intense warmth with lingering vanilla-oak sweetness |
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof – Silver Medal
Tennessee’s Jack Daniel’s secured Silver with its high-proof single barrel release. Though technically Tennessee whiskey, its bourbon-style profile—marked by signature banana notes and heavy char—impressed judges. The combination of sweetness and strength delivered an assertive and well-balanced sip.
Aroma | Sweet maple, banana bread, toasted oak |
|---|---|
Palate | Brown sugar, molasses, ripe banana, cinnamon |
Finish | Dry oak and lingering spice |
Four Roses Single Barrel (OBSV) – Bronze Medal
Four Roses’ OBSV recipe—with its high rye mashbill and fruity yeast strain—earned Bronze. Judges praised its elegant integration of spice, fruit, and oak. At 50% ABV, it delivered a slightly more restrained profile than its competitors, but its finesse and balance were enough to stand out.
Aroma | Cherry, apricot, gentle oak |
|---|---|
Palate | Rye spice, candied fruit, vanilla |
Finish | Minty rye, oak, and a hint of cocoa |
What Is Single Barrel Bourbon?
Single barrel bourbon is drawn from one individual barrel, allowing the unique character of each cask to shine. Unlike batched or blended releases, these expressions reflect the subtle variances of aging conditions, barrel char, and warehouse location.
At the World Whiskies Awards 2025, judges looked for complexity, cask integration, and standout aroma. The medalists—all from Kentucky or Tennessee—demonstrated how barrel selection and bottling strength shape the distinct identity of a single barrel whiskey.
👉 Explore the rich heritage of small batch bourbon and discover top producers, styles, and stories shaping this space.
This year’s single barrel results affirm the value of barrel-specific releases in revealing bourbon’s full range. Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel proved that unfiltered, high-proof bottlings continue to captivate both judges and drinkers. Meanwhile, Jack Daniel’s and Four Roses demonstrated that distinct house styles can still impress within a single cask format.
As interest in single barrel selections grows, these award-winning entries show that quality control, cask management, and regional technique remain critical to delivering standout bourbon in its purest form.
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All 2025 World Whisky Awards Gold Medalists
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