Boulder Spirits Wins Best Small Batch Bourbon 2025 at World Whiskies Awards
Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon has been named Best Small Batch Bourbon 2025 at the World Whiskies Awards, marking a major win for Colorado’s growing whiskey scene. This cask strength release stood out among entries from heritage Kentucky distilleries, underlining how regional maturation conditions and innovative mashbills are reshaping the small batch bourbon category.
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Key Takeaways
Boulder Spirits claims Gold with a bold, high-altitude four-grain bourbon aged in Colorado’s dry climate.
Kentucky’s 1792 and Knob Creek reaffirm strong traditional small batch credentials with Silver and Bronze.
The 2025 results highlight a growing acceptance of non-Kentucky craft bourbons in major global competitions.
Best Small Batch Bourbon 2025 – Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon
Boulder Spirits blends a four-grain mashbill—corn, malted barley, rye, and wheat—into a high-proof expression aged in the dry mountain climate of Colorado. Judges praised its layered profile and the way it balances intensity with structure. This win highlights how craft distillers are gaining global recognition by pairing creative grain selection with distinctive regional aging.
Aroma | Dried dates, raisins, toasted almonds |
|---|---|
Palate | Dark chocolate, espresso, plums, winter spice, hint of smoke |
Finish | Long and warming with lingering sweet spice and oak tannin |
1792 Small Batch Bourbon – Silver Medal
Kentucky’s Barton 1792 distillery earned Silver with its signature high-rye small batch bourbon. With classic notes of caramel, spice, and oak, the 1792 Small Batch showed why well-executed core expressions continue to earn acclaim. Its consistency and balanced character proved competitive against more experimental entries.
Aroma | Dried dates, raisins, toasted almonds |
|---|---|
Palate | Dark chocolate, espresso, plums, winter spice, hint of smoke |
Finish | Long and warming with lingering sweet spice and oak tannin |
Knob Creek 12 Year Old – Bronze Medal
Knob Creek’s 12 Year Old release brought deeper age and complexity to the podium. Aged longer than many small batch counterparts, its profile of roasted nuts, dried cherry, and Beam’s signature oak and spice earned praise for its mature character and depth. This result reinforces the importance of age-stated bourbons in the modern small batch landscape.
What Is Small Batch Bourbon?
Small batch bourbon refers to whiskey produced from a select number of barrels—often a dozen to a few hundred—designed to highlight unique profiles through careful blending. While not legally defined, the term generally indicates a premium, curated product with greater barrel variability than large-scale releases.
Judges at the World Whiskies Awards 2025 looked for complexity, barrel integration, and flavor intensity in this category. This year’s winners—ranging from Colorado’s bold cask-strength release to Kentucky’s aged classics—demonstrate how small batch bourbon has become a showcase for both heritage and innovation.
👉 Explore the rich heritage of small batch bourbon and discover top producers, styles, and stories shaping this space.
This year’s Best Small Batch Bourbon results show a dynamic mix of craft energy and time-honoured tradition. Boulder Spirits’ win underscores how regional techniques and mashbill experimentation are reshaping the category. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s continued presence through 1792 and Knob Creek shows that age and blending expertise remain central to bourbon excellence.
As small batch bourbon continues to evolve, expect to see more bold entries from emerging regions competing on equal footing with America’s historic heartland.
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All 2025 World Whisky Awards Gold Medalists
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