Overview: Willett Distillery’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon has claimed the title of Best Bourbon at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The spirit received a near-perfect score of 98 points, distinguishing it from major competitors like Jim Beam and Sazerac.
The Full Story
Willett Distillery’s Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond 4-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon secured top honors at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The results were announced on October 5, 2026, with the official awards ceremony scheduled for November 24. According to the competition panel, a sip of Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond is bright and well-balanced, with plenty of character that lingers beautifully.
The panel gave it a stunning 98 points following double-blind testing rules. The closest Sazerac whiskey, Straight Rye, and Jim Beam’s Lineage 15 YO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey both received 95 points. Despite being lesser-known compared to big-name bourbon brands, Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond has built a following among whiskey enthusiasts. It is sold exclusively in Kentucky, though its recent award win is expected to increase its recognition and popularity.
Production & Profile
The bourbon carries the unique designation of being bottled-in-bond. This title is achieved by coming from a single distillery in a single distilling season. All bottled-in-bond bourbons must also be aged at least four years in such a bonded warehouse and reach 100 proof exactly. Willett’s Old Bardstown does contain 72% corn, but it also contains more barley than bigger-name bourbons. It is 15% barley, whereas nearly all of the most popular bourbon whiskies contain 12% barley or lower.
This gives Willett’s prize-winning bourbon a flavorful edge with subtle-yet-present nutty depth. The mash bill is also rather interesting compared to standard conventions. Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond 4 YO is on the younger side being aged four years, whereas the highest tier bourbons are often considered to be those aged for a decade or more.
Brand & Industry History
The historic Willett Distillery building in Old Bardstown, Kentucky stands as a testament to the brand’s longevity. Willett’s been around since 1936, but if you’re unfamiliar, that’s because this particular bourbon is only sold in Kentucky. Despite having built up a following among whiskey enthusiasts, it’s not among the award-winning bourbon brands every whiskey fan knows yet.
What This Means
The 2025 IWSC winner, Frank August Small Batch, was considered an outlier itself for being cheaper than most other top tier bourbons, and it retailed for around $70 at the time. A standard 750ml bottle of Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond Four Year Old will meanwhile run you less than $20 at Total Wine & More and still under $30 at other liquor stores. This pricing structure offers a budget bottle, especially when compared to other award-winning brands.
Consumer Takeaway
Availability remains restricted to the state of Kentucky as of 2026. To secure a taste, one must head to Kentucky to grab one for themselves. The bottle offers an affordable price point with a near-perfect score and a unique mash bill composition.
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