The results are in from the latest edition of the International Whisky Competition and the grand prize winner for bourbon is a bottling for the ages. But before we get into that, let’s provide a brief bit of background on the judging itself–and why you should care about its findings.
IWC was founded in 2010 by a pair of industry veterans in Chicago. It has been held every year since and has grown into what its organizers call the “world’s most-followed whisky only competition.” A big part of that following was amassed through the publication of the International Whisky Guide. Initially released in 2016, it read not unlike the Michelin guidebooks, which helped make that brand internationally synonymous with elevated cuisine.
Judges sip blindly through hundreds of entries each year. To avoid palate fatigue they are presented with one whisky at a time, compiling in-depth notes at every step from sight, to nose, to finish. Ultimately these notes are reviewed and assessed by a tasting panel committee who awards a final score to each liquid out of 100.
The 16th International Whisky Competition was held this year in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s fitting since we are about to talk about the best bourbon honor. And yet the tasting panel this year conferred that distinction upon a brilliant, barrel-strength selection hailing from Virginia: A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch #4).
Netting an impressive 97.01 points, it was also the highest rated American whiskey at IWC this year and was a mere .03 points away from being the top scoring whiskey across all categories. This particular series of barrel strength, 10-year-old spirit became a permanent part of the distillery’s portfolio back in the summer of 2021. It instantly amassed a devoted following amongst bourbon enthusiasts. Indeed, it carries the trusted trifecta of a cult classic: full in flavor, high in proof and tight on allocation.
The expression taking home the top prize at IWC this year was the 4th batch in the series, released earlier this year. Uncut and non-chill filtered, it hits the bottle at a hefty 139.7 proof (69.85% ABV). Despite all that heat, assertive aromas of dried cherry and vanilla eclipse any ethanol in the nose. The palate is presented with a creamy-textured affair, drenched with ginger spice, vanilla and cinnamon red hots. Nothing too out-of-the-ordinary here; all hallmarks of the category–albeit offered in high volume here.
The true treasure of this dram, however, arrives as a parting gift in the finish. Brûléed stone fruit accompanies tanned leather in a slow, powerful parade. It is a belter, to be sure. Though that sturdiness is built upon sweat–not heat. So, ultimately each sip actually belies the utter strength of its intimidating ABV.
None of this craft mastery should come as too much of a surprise. Despite its location, some 550 miles east of Bluegrass Country, the Bowman distillery is hardly an outlier for fans of bourbon. It offers a proud history stretching back to the very day after Prohibition ended. And since it is today owned by the very same family responsible for Buffalo Trace, it is seen as a sister distillery to that storied facility. This certainly affords the brand a pronounced halo effect. All this is to say, if you spy a bottle of A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength at or near its suggested $99 retail price, you shouldn’t hesitate to bring it home.
Follow along for more must-have bottles from the 2025 International Whisky Competition.
