DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

King's Family Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(IN/TN)  117° prf

Nose: Caramel, pure cocoa, chocolate, maple syrup, honey, vanilla, crème brulée, cream, creamy biscuit, mixed bouquet of fruits & carnations, apricot, tropical fruit, green apple skin, herbal, green leaves, walnut, almond, tobacco, leather, mineral, oak.
Palate: Bitter chocolate, buttery, honey, dates, dried plum, dried fruit, tropical fruits, berries, orange, apple, lemon, orange pekoe tea, ginger, rye, cereal, nutty, cinnamon Red hots, cinnamon, black pepper, spicy, oak, high proof, creamy, soft.
Finish: Lingering honey, maple, peach, orange, mint, clove, fireball, musty,oak, sherry, balanced, flavorful, high quality, elegant, lovely.

Double Gold Medal

Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Original Cask Strength
(IN/AR)  115.8° prf

Nose: Lots of caramel, toffee, hint of cocoa, brown sugar, burnt sugar, demerara, dark muscovado, cane sugar, maple syrup, maple, Confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, cereal, Mini-Wheats, peanut brittle, walnut, light oak, beautiful.
Palate: Caramel, caramel syrup, toffee, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, honey, sugar buns, cereal, coconut, dried coconut, clementine, orange, lemon, citrus, ginger, anise, herbs, tea tree, spicy, coffee, oak, sherry, high proof, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Caramel, toffee, molasses, honey, anise, basil, mint, menthol, nutmeg, clove, spice, pepper, white pepper, black pepper, oak, sherry, wine, cognac, soft, rich, excellent.

Double Gold Medal

Code Four Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Cask Strength
(1350 Distilling, CO / IN)  115° prf

Nose: Toffee, cocoa, brown sugar, maple, honey, vanilla, buttery, clotted cream, dried apricot, raisin, grass, wintergreen, hay, slightly nutty, nutmeg, smoke, char, pine, saturated oak.
Palate: Chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa, maple, creamy, vanilla, honey, mango, tropical fruit, orange peel, corn, toast, herbal, hay, nutty, peppery, tobacco, woody, oaky, high proof, tannic, chewy, creamy mouthfeel, rich.
Finish: Sweet corn, honey, orange peel, lemon peel, mint, tea, hay, clove, spicy, toast, smoky, pine, oak, balanced flavors, layered, nice heat, great strong finish, nice length, stays rich, creamy, pleasant.

Double Gold Medal

Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Confiscated
(KY/LA)   96.4° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, fudge, dark muscovado, cream, vanilla, maple syrup, apple candy, dark raisins, prune, sweet ripe MacIntosh apple, red apple, mint, roasted nuts, hay, earthy notes, oak, new oak, sweet oak, wine notes, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, dark chocolate, buttery, vanilla, maple, honey, marmalade, orange, pear, corn, biscuit, anise, almond, walnut, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, coriander, spicy, fried chicken, tobacco, smoke, oak, new oak, thick mouthfeel, rich.
Finish: Caramel, chocolate, buttery, vanilla, lingering honey, prune, grain, clove, menthol, peppery, tobacco, well balanced, very balanced, well-rounded, rich.

Double Gold Medal

Ben Holladay Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bottled-In-Bond
(MO)  Aged 6 years.  100° prf

Nose: Toffee, cocoa, brown sugar, maple, honey, vanilla, buttery, clotted cream, dried apricot, raisin, grass, wintergreen, hay, slightly nutty, nutmeg, smoke, char, pine, saturated oak.
Palate: Chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa, maple, creamy, vanilla, honey, mango, tropical fruit, orange peel, corn, toast, herbal, hay, nutty, peppery, tobacco, woody, oaky, high proof, tannic, chewy, creamy mouthfeel, rich.
Finish: Sweet corn, honey, orange peel, lemon peel, mint, tea, hay, clove, spicy, toast, smoky, pine, oak, balanced flavors, layered, nice heat, great strong finish, nice length, stays rich, creamy, pleasant.

Double Gold Medal

Kentucky Owl Bourbon Whiskey
St. Patrick's Edition
(KY/LA)  100° prf

Nose: Caramel, crème caramel, chocolate, fudge, brown sugar, cane sugar, vanilla, pecan brittle, dried fruits, dates, orange peel, apricot, pear, lemon, mixed flowers, walnut, coffee, airy, smoke, tree sap, pine, oak.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, buttery, chocolate, bitter chocolate, fudge, cola, brown sugar, honey, raisin, dates, dried apricot, dried fruit, coconut, apricot, orange, melon, apple, cereal, dried oats, sweet grain, corn, rye, nutty, anise, mint, cinnamon, oak, balanced.
Finish: Dried plum, honey, brown sugar, ginger, biscuit, slightly nutty, clove, spices, peppery, oaky, complex, easy drinking, a wild ride, rich, refined, lovely finish.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Pacific Coast Spirits California Triticale
Straight Bourbon
(CA)  Aged 5 years, 10 months.  114° prf

Nose: Toffee, English toffee, caramel, chocolate, treacle, dark sugar, maple syrup, maple, vanilla, buttery, French toast, raisins, dates, licorice, dried herbs, mint, dark leather, earth, wood.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, treacle, burnt sugar, chocolate, dark chocolate, vanilla, marzipan, raisin, dates, ripe apple, pear, lemon, anise, fennel, corn meal, toast, nutty, clove, cinnamon, spice, pepper, leather, earth, woody, oak, charred oak, creamy.
Finish: Vanilla, sweet corn, oats, anise, licorice, mint, orange, citrus, oregano, spice, dried chili pepper, oaky, smoked meats, sherry, lingering heat, mouth filling, savory, nice, quality.

Gold Medal

Missouri Ridge Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
(MO)  94° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, Werther’s butterscotch, caramel, fudge, molasses, buttery, maple, pancakes, honey, candy apple, kettle corn, deep banana, tropical fruits, stone fruit, almond, hazelnut, nutty.
Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, toffee, treacle, demerara, burnt sugar, maple syrup, butter, vanilla, prune, dates, Amarena cherries, apple, stone fruit, cereal, grain, nutty, tobacco, tannic, musty, dry wood, oak, heats up, rich, creamy.
Finish: Caramel, toffee, molasses, chocolate, notes of cocoa, crème brulée, candy persists, biscuit, walnut, nutty, tannic, smoky, creamy, pleasant.

Gold Medal

Grand Teton Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Private Stock
(Grand Teton Distillery, ID)  Aged 8 years.  100° prf

Nose: Rich caramel, butterscotch, toffee, fudge, chocolate, sugar cane, faint vanilla, marmalade, coconut, hot oatmeal, hay, macadamia nut, hazelnut, clove, cinnamon, allspice, mild wood, oak, aromatic.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, fudge, chocolate, molasses, vanilla, cream, whipped cream, warm biscuit with honey, honeysuckle, orange peel, dried citrus peel, carnation, tea leaves, mint, peppermint, allspice, spices, wood, oak, good richness, layers of flavor.
Finish: Buttery, honey, residual sugar, big fruit bowl, apple, lemony, mint, eucalyptus, almond, peppercorn, white pepper, spicy, Sichuan, woody, oak, wine, cognac, interesting, round, there’s quality here, very nice, beautiful.

Gold Medal

The Wiseman Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Kentucky Owl, KY/LA)  90.8° prf

Nose: Caramel, light toffee, brown sugar, maple, vanilla, fresh baked banana bread, banana, apple tart, toasted coconut, citrus, tropical fruit, ripe fruit, ginger, white pepper, warm spices, oak.
Palate: Caramel, fudge, molasses, maple, buttery, vanilla, cream, honey, ripe mango, prune, red apple, lemon, orange peel, mint, cereal, grain, sweet grains, corn, rye, toast, hazelnut, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, pepper, dry wood, dry oak, pine, balanced, warming, rich.
Finish: Rich caramel, maple syrup, toasted vanilla, raisin, orange, anise, wintergreen, minty, clove, nutmeg, peppery, spices, oak, round, flavorful.

Gold Medal

Corner Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 10 Years
(KY/NY)  88° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, demerara, sweet brown sugar, honey, cooked honey, creamy, vanilla, candied apple, dried fruit, orange peel, coconut, mashed banana, pineapple, apricot, apple, apple peel, white pepper, grass, wood, sherry.
Palate: Butterscotch, treacle, nougat, biscuit with honey, cooked peach, ripe pear, red apple, orange zest, almond, hazelnut, grain, tea leaves, tea, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, pepper, some spiciness, sweetness, leather, wood, oak, fresh, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, honey, orange blossom honey, apple skin, grain, biscuit with browned edges, toasty, clove, pepper, black pepper, spice on the finish, oaky, pleasant burn, gets richer, balanced, nice, easy, very approachable.

Gold Medal

Devils River Distiller’s Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(TX)  Aged over 2 years.  120° prf

Nose: Warm butterscotch, treacle, burnt sugar, dark sugar, chocolate, honey, raisin, dried apricots, peach, apples & cream, biscuit, hazelnut, cashews, nutty, black tea, tannic, delicate oak, cedar wood, round, fresh, intoxicating aromas.
Palate: Caramel, cane brown sugar, vanilla, honey, raisins, dried blackberry, strawberry, citrus, floral, eucalyptus, ginger, toast, malt, nutty, wood compliments nuts, white pepper, spices, very spicy, wood, oak, sherry, creamy, elegant.
Finish: Toasted almond, hazelnut, dark sugar, berries, orange, eucalyptus, light menthol, clove, slight mustiness, woody, heat, good length, elegant.

Gold Medal

Left Bank Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Left Bank Distilled Spirits, KY/LA)  Aged min. 2 years.  108° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, treacle, burnt brown sugar, cane sugar, maple, cherry, prune, baked banana bread, coconut, pineapple, orange, corn, floral, mint, grassy, hay, leather, toast, wood, oak, char.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, butterscotch, chocolate, dark muscovado, maple syrup, honey, honey Graham, cereal, dried fruit, orange peel, apricot, rose, flowers, licorice, anise, fennel, eucalyptus, menthol, hyssop, nutty, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, white pepper, spices, spiciness, subdued leather, woody, oak, rich.
Finish: Butterscotch, coconut cream, honey, plum, white pepper, spicy, menthol, tannic, tree bark, woody, oaky, fresh sawn oak, airy, round, delicious, great.

Gold Medal

Guardian Bourbon Whiskey
(1350 Distilling, CO / IN)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, molasses, maple, vanilla, honey, honeysuckle, corn sugars, sweet corn, biscuit, toasted coconut, banana, cherry, fresh lemon, citrus, mint, pecan, white pepper, toasty, oak, white oak.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, brown sugar, vanilla, lemon éclair, lemon zest, orange peel, pineapple, banana, corn, toasted corn, cereal, grain, almond, nutmeg, hint of spice, hint of pepper, oak, sweet oak, good wood, good balance, chewy, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, vanilla, lingering honey, orange peel, pecan, clove, nice spice, wet stone, light wood, delicate heat, extra smooth, creamy, pleasant.

Gold Medal

Motörhead Ace of Spades Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Proof Artisan Distillers, ND)  Aged 4 years.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, chocolate, cream, molasses, brown sugar, vanilla bean, vanilla, ripe banana, apricot, dried apricot, green apple, mixed fruit, oak, nutty, light oak, hint of tropical, rich, substantial.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, nougat, marzipan, vanilla, whipped cream, banana, pineapple, orange, red apple, corn, cereal, malty, a hint of coffee, anise, spices, spicy, pine wood, oak wood, velvety mouthfeel, nice body, creamy.
Finish: Caramel, honey, warm vanilla balanced with spice, eucalyptus, clove, white pepper, copper, toasted oak, good dried oak, nice structure, layered, creamy, easy, beautiful.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Axe and the Oak Bourbon Whiskey
(Axe and the Oak Distillery, CO)  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, demerara, cane sugar, powdered sugar, nougat, vanilla, cream, honey, cooked prunes, dried fruit, banana candy, subdued ripe banana, apricot, pineapple, strawberry, hazelnut, nutty, toast, light pine, oak, sherry, aromatic.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, fudgy, buttery, honey, raisins, pineapple, pear, orange, sweet corn, cereal, biscuits, anise, herbal, hazelnut, spicy, oaky, wood, creamy mouthfeel, rich.
Finish: Vanilla, honey, dark brown sugar, honey, fig, apple, orange, anise, mint, eucalyptus, nutty, leather, light sherry, creamy, rich, mellow.

Silver Medal

Gunnar's Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(KS)  Mash bill: 63% corn, 34% wheat.  90° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, toffee, caramel, fudge, brown sugar, dark sugar, cane sugar, maple, vanilla, honey, pineapple, sultana grape, lemon, pie crust, toast, spicy, oak, burnt wood, char, delicate.
Palate: Chocolate, demerara, dark sugar, crème brulée, buttery, vanilla wafer, corn, orange peel, orange zest, lemon, citrus, dried berries, pear, anise, mint, red pepper, nutmeg, black pepper, spicy, leather, earth, dusty oak, creamy, soft.
Finish: Caramel, Kraft caramel, chocolate, burnt sugar, honey, dried apricot, citrus, licorice, cinnamon, clove, peppery, spicy, sweet, grainy, musty, woody, oak, creaminess.

Silver Medal

Fordham Lee High-Rye Bourbon
(Fordham Lee Distillery, IN/MD)  86° prf

Nose: Sweet caramel, butterscotch, hint of toffee, cocoa, chocolate, brown sugar, Confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, whipped cream, marshmallow, caramelized pineapple, candied apple, apple candy, banana, pineapple, AlphaBits cereal, walnut, nutmeg, oak, port wine notes.
Palate: Caramel, burnt toffee, fudge, hint of chocolate, maple syrup, vanilla, cream, clover honey, banana, pineapple, strawberry, orange, sour apple, citrus, wild rice cakes, anisette, eucalyptus, allspice, distant cinnamon, spice, oak, balanced, creamy mouthfeel, nice richness.
Finish: Orange peel, dried orange peel, maple, cereal, mint, anise peeks through, cinnamon, clove, peppery, oak, woody, heat rises, creamy.

Silver Medal

Xplorer Bourbon Whiskey
(Kilimanjaro Distillery, PA)  High Rye.  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee. brown sugar, maple, honey, peanut brittle, corn, ripe banana, tropical fruit, pear, red apple, green apple, mint, dried herbs, cinnamon, toasted pine, oak, wood, pleasant.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, maple, wildflower honey, pineapple, licorice, anise, rye, cereal, pepper, black pepper, sour wormwood, mineral, oak, old wood, woody, sherry, mint, balanced, smooth.
Finish: Apple, fruity, licorice, spicy, tobacco, leather, tannic, wood, oak, creamy, rich, zesty, round, pleasant, great.

Silver Medal

Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Brother’s Bond Distilling Co., IN/AR)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, molasses, brown sugar, orange blossom honey, cherry lollipop, red apple, banana, pineapple, tropical fruit, elderflower crossed with rose, walnut, grass, hay, white pepper, wood, cedar, oak.
Palate: Toffee, molasses, vanilla, maple, honey, Cracker Jack, raisin, pineapple, lemon, wheat, walnut, hazelnut, light pepper, tannic, deep wood, balanced wood, oak, cognac, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, lingering cream, vanilla, honey, coconut, blackberry, licorice, white pepper, spicy, wood, oak, nice.

Silver Medal

Merica Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Famous Brands, TX)  Aged min. 2 years.  High Rye.  80° prf

Nose: Chocolate covered caramel, candied apple, buttery, vanilla, Honey Bunches of Oats cereal, grain, citrus, spice, briny, leather, oak barrel, young wood, new oak, white oak, wood.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, maple, honey, dried fruit, orange peel, melon, citrus, grain, clove, fresh new pine wood, oak, woody.
Finish: Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, sweet wood, oak, classic.

Silver Medal