What are the best bourbons for quality and value in 2025? One way to find the answer is to look at the top winners on the spirits competition circuit. Drawing on blind tasting results from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), London Spirits Competition (LSC), and other global judging panels, this feature spotlights the standout bourbons that consistently impress professional tasters—without blowing up your budget. Every bottle featured here averages under $100 at retail. We’ve deliberately left wheated bourbons aside; they’ll get their own spotlight tomorrow.
Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $76
A modern Kentucky bottler launched in 2022, Frank August blends small batches of sourced Kentucky barrels. It made global headlines after being named IWSC World’s Best Bourbon with a 98-point score. The mash bill is undisclosed, but as a bourbon, it’s corn-led and shows a clear rye structure.
The bourbon features aromas of baked apple pie, vanilla custard, dried apricot, toasted oak, and subtle wood spices. It’s smooth and sweet on the palate, showcasing flavors of honey, caramel cream, cinnamon, and toasted rye bread. The finish is long, with lingering notes of vanilla, oak, and subtle baking spices.
Four Roses Small Batch, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $37
Four Roses is known for its unique ten-recipe bourbon system, which uses two mash bills and five yeasts. Small Batch blends four recipes and is a perennial medalist at IWSC and SFWSC, consistently ranking among the best values in bourbon.
The mash bill is a blend of two recipes. The first consists of a mix of 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley, and the second consists of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of red fruits, particularly raspberry, and hints of cherry, vanilla, caramel, and seasoned oak. The palate showcases flavors of red fruit, traditional rye spices, honey, and toffee. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of seasoned oak and wood spices.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, 64%-65% ABV, 750 ml. $83
Produced by Heaven Hill, this uncut, non-chill-filtered release has become a benchmark high-proof bourbon, winning Double Gold at SFWSC and regularly earning gold medals at other spirit competitions. The mash bill consists of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of caramelized brown sugar, dark dried fruit, seasoned oak, and cocoa. The palate showcases flavors of caramel, wood spices, cherry syrup, tobacco, and dark baking chocolate. The high proof is evident but generally well-integrated. The finish is long, with lingering notes of seasoned oak, spices, and honey.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed, 54-58.4% ABV, 750 ml. $59
Rare Breed is a barrel-proof expression of the classic Wild Turkey profile, blending bourbons aged 6–12 years. The bourbon has received top honors at SFWSC and USC. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of vanilla fudge, candied orange zest, oak char, and baking spices. It’s rich and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of toffee, clove, pepper, and cooked sweet corn. The finish is long and spicy, with lingering notes of cold smoke and seasoned oak.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $46
Crafted by Jimmy and Eddie Russell, this 10-year age-stated bourbon showcases Wild Turkey’s traditional style with the layered complexity and finesse that only extended maturation can provide. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of vanilla, caramel apple, and seasoned oak. It’s smooth and creamy on the palate, showcasing flavors of toffee, dried apricot, and subtle rye spices. The finish is long with lingering notes of seasoned oak, caramel, and toasted nuts.
Knob Creek 9 Year Small Batch, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $38
Produced by Jim Beam, this 9-year-old bourbon is a pillar of the small-batch movement. It is another perennial winner in international competitions, including a former SFWSC Best Bourbon award. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of toasted nuts, brown sugar, vanilla, and charred oak. It’s robust and flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, roasted peanuts, dark chocolate, and wood spices. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of seasoned oak and a persistent pepperiness.
Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Bourbon, 45.7% ABV, 750 ml. $47
A revived heritage brand now producing in Kentucky, Michter’s is known for meticulous barrel selection and small-batch precision. This is another bourbon that has been a perennial gold medalist in international spirit competitions. The mash bill is undisclosed, but like all bourbons, it’s corn-led and likely has a significant rye component.
The bourbon features aromas of butterscotch, dried peach, and vanilla. It’s creamy and silky on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, dark chocolate, orchard fruit, and spices. The finish is long, with lingering notes of seasoned oak and cinnamon.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $67
Heaven Hill’s single-barrel BiB bourbon is a consistent Gold Medalist in international spirit competitions. It famously won Best in Show Bourbon at SFWSC and remains one of the great values in BiB aged bourbon. The mash bill consists of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of wood spices, caramel apple, vanilla, and dried tobacco leaf. It’s robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of honey, roasted nuts, baked fruit, and cinnamon. The finish is long and complex with lingering notes of vanilla, caramel, and seasoned oak.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, 45.2% ABV, 750 ml $59
This bourbon is finished in a second deeply toasted barrel. This expression amplifies richness and sweetness and routinely receives Gold medals at IWSC and SFWSC. The mash bill consists of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of maple syrup, toasted coconut, and dark caramel. It’s sweet and lush on the palate, showcasing flavors of toffee, chocolate fudge, toasted oak, and wood spices. The finish is long, sweet, and velvety, with lingering notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and seasoned oak.
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. $60
This bourbon is a double-barreled version of Old Forester’s classic recipe, showcasing deep toast character. It’s another top bourbon that regularly wins Gold medals in international spirit competitions. The mash bill consists of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley.
The bourbon features candied aromas of roasted marshmallow, cherry syrup, milk chocolate, and cocoa butter. It’s rich and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of fudge cake, espresso, and toasted pecans. The finish is long and dry, with lingering notes of seasoned oak and cinnamon spice.
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage, 43.3% ABV, 750 ml. $47
This bourbon is Heaven Hill’s vintage-dated single-barrel release, admired for its exceptional value and balance, regularly earning multiple Gold medals in spirit competitions. The mash bill consists of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features aromas of dried cherry, vanilla, seasoned oak, and wood spices. It’s smooth on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, roasted nuts, and cinnamon. The finish is long and slightly dry, with lingering notes of cooked grain and whole wheat toast.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, 62%-65% ABV, 750 ml. $71
Charcoal-mellowed Tennessee whiskey legally meets the TTB’s standard for bourbon. This barrel-proof expression is a consistent gold medalist in global spirit competitions. The mash bill is 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye.
The whiskey features aromas of molasses, banana bread, and charred oak. The palate features Jack Daniel’s signature rich brown sugar sweetness, vanilla, toasted nuts, and spice. The finish is long, sweet, and powerful with lingering notes of cold smoke, molasses, seasoned oak, and hints of char.
Taken together, these bottles show just how deep the bourbon bench has become below the $100 mark. From high-proof bruisers like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Wild Turkey Rare Breed to the polished elegance of Michter’s US*1 and Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond, each expression brings a distinct balance of grain, oak, and age—and a proven track record on the competition stage.
They’re also remarkably versatile. Some, like Four Roses Small Batch, Knob Creek 9 Year, and Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage, are tailor-made for everyday sipping and cocktails, while others, such as Frank August Small Batch, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Old Forester 1910, and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, feel right at home in a special-occasion lineup. Any of them would be a brilliant addition to a serious home bar, and together they form a compact, competition-vetted bourbon library.
And this is just one side of the story. Tomorrow’s feature will turn to wheated bourbon, the softer, sweeter cousins in the category, to round out a complete, under-$100 buying guide for bourbon lovers looking to drink as the judges do.