DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Gunnar's Wheated Bourbon Whiskey Heritage Batch
(Gunnar’s Bourbon Company, KS)
Distilled from local corn, wheat & malted barley.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, muscovado sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, honeysuckle, dates, corn, orange peel, grassy, toasted malt, toast, almond, black walnut, burnt nuts, nutty, nutmeg, cinnamon, spice, leather, buttery, oak.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, vanilla, pancake syrup, honey, banana, apricot, pineapple, mango, cooked cherries, apple, orange, orange zest, lemon, peppers, floral, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, spicy, popsicle stick, oak, smoky, sherry, smooth, easy drinking, elegant.
Finish: Caramel, chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, apricot, lemon, pepper, white pepper, black pepper, spice, woody, sherry, layered, nice, smooth, bright, rich, great.

Double Gold Medal

BHAKTA 2013 Bourbon Whiskey
Armagnac Cask Finish
(Balthazar Rex, VT)
Distilled in Indiana. Aged 9 yrs, 5 months.  100.6 ° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, light fudge, maple, cream, vanilla cream, honey, orange marmalade, orange peel, lemony, raisins, stone fruit, mixed fruit, corn, corn flakes, nutty, grassy, clove, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, creamy toffee, butterscotch, buttery, molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, pineapple, apple slices, mint, tea leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, peppery, spicy, leather, smoke, dry wood, oak, cedar, creamy mouthfeel, chewy, great flavor.
Finish: Butterscotch, dark honey, raspberry, orange zest, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, allspice, pepper, smoke, oaky, smooth, nice, big, solid, yummy, elegant.

Double Gold Medal

Prosperous & Penniless Cabernet Barreled Bourbon
(Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)
Finished in Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.
92.2° prf

Nose: Caramel, treacle, cream, chocolate, mocha, toasted sugars, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, honey, prunes, pineapple, citrus, ripe plantain, marzipan, almonds, hay, tobacco, leather, oak, cedar, light sherry, port.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, molasses,muscovado, mocha, cream, vanilla, honey, pineapple, apricot, apple, lemon balm, licorice, mint, tea leaves, peppers, white pepper, nutmeg, cloves, tobacco, earthy, toasty, oak, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Caramel, butterscotch, cream, vanilla, cream pie, honey, pineapple, almond, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, spicy, mild peppery bite, sweet oak, smooth, pleasant, easy drinking, lovely.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Alton Distillery New York Straight Bourbon
(Bethel, NY)
Distilled from NY corn, local winter rye & malted barley.
Catskill Mountain water. Aged 5 years.  94° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, fudge, chocolate, vanilla bark, marzipan, maple, honey, lemon honey, ripe banana, bergamot, green leaves, carnation, mixed spices, spicy, popsicle stick, oak, smoky, red wine barrel, port, classic bourbon.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, muscovado, honey, ripe banana, apricot, corn, tangerine, orange, citrus, mint, almond, sesame, clove, allspice, cinnamon, white pepper, spicy, oak, smoky, funk, balanced, chewy, creamy, silky, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, dried fruit, nutty, coffee, clove, allspice, pepper, heavy pine, smoke, nice heat, smooth, complex, layered, rich, hearty, great.

Gold Medal

Crooked Furrow Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Proof Artisan Distillers, ND)  Aged 8 years.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, chocolate, mocha, sweet brown sugar, molasses, sugar cane, vanilla, maple, corn, roasted corn, dried fruit, green apple, grass, intoxicating perfume, waxy, leather, oak, wood.
Palate: Toffee, vanilla, honey, maple, S’mores, Graham cracker, corn, apricot, pineapple, orange, citrus, ginger, green apple, almonds, coffee, nutmeg, allspice, clove, spice, mixed pepper note, black pepper, leather, tannins, smoky, oaky, perfect balance, bright, creamy, delightful.
Finish: Burnt sugar, honey, honey biscuit, lemon, lingering clover, allspice, nutmeg, spicy, black pepper, toasty, new leather, wet stone, excellent mouthfeel, tangy, rich, lovely, great, classic bourbon.

Gold Medal

Ammunition Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Ammunition Distillery, CA)
Distilled in Indiana. Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, orange blossom honey, banana, lemon bars, orange, citrus, corn, buttery, buttered toast, toast, muffins, nuts, straw, dried flowers, minty, eucalyptus, peppery, leather, wet wood, oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, fudge, chocolate, molasses, demerara, honey, orange blossom honey, dates, coconut, cooked apples, sweet apple cider, green apple, orange, orange zest, lemon skin, mint, grass, peppers, allspice, spicy, oak, wood is prominent, smoky, balanced, nice, smooth, warm, rich, lovely.
Finish: Warm toffee, ginger, lemon skin, licorice, cashew, tobacco, lingering spice, woody, nice, flavorful, classic.

Gold Medal

Missouri Ridge Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
(MO)  Distilled from local corn. Ozark Mountains limestone water.
Aged 4.39 years.  94° prf

Nose: Caramel, intense butterscotch, butterscotch candy, Butterfinger, toffee, creamy, vanilla, sweet candy corn, sweet sugarcane, spun sugar, honey, honeysuckle flowers, lemon balm, grain, spice, sherry.
Palate: Buttery caramel, butterscotch, toffee, chocolate, sweet condensed milk, vanilla, honey butter, honey, banana, prune juice, apricot, orange, touch of citrus, ginger, mint, allspice, spicy, oak.
Finish: Caramel, treacle, buttered rum, buttery, honey, apricot, elderflower, flowery, wheat, nutty, allspice, oaky, very soft, smooth, mellow, easy drinking, rich, creamy.

Gold Medal

King's Family Distillery
Tennessee Standard Blended Bourbon
(TN)  122.1° prf

Nose: Toasted caramel, praline, cream, vanilla, honey, pineapple, coconut, orange peel, crisp apple, orange blossom, almond, pecan, BBQ sauce, leather, birch wood, aged wood, cold wet stone, wow.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, nougat, vanilla, honeycomb, honey, pineapple, lemon, citrus, elderflower, nutty, great blend of spice & nuts, allspice, spicy, peppery, leather, oak, silky, smooth, bright, rich, creamy.
Finish: Sweet grain, biscuit, orange zest, Anaheim peppers, allspice, clove, well balanced, complex, bright, rich, creamy, elegant, delicious.

Gold Medal

Gunnar's Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Bradford Single Barrel
(Gunnar’s Bourbon Company, KS)
Distilled from local corn, wheat & malted barley.  119.2° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, chocolate, cocoa, nougat, vanilla, coconut crème, honey nuts, honey, sweet corn, banana, orange peel, lemon zest, carnation, tannins, stone.
Palate: Caramel, cream, vanilla, Cheerios, honey, pineapple, tropical fruit, peach, apple, lemon, orange peel, hint of mint, tea, hazelnut, walnut, nutty, cinnamon, allspice, clove, spice, black pepper, buttery, oak, smoke, chewy, balanced, smooth, velvety, big flavor.
Finish: Vanilla, marmalade, minty, cereal, clove, black pepper, leather, good heat, controlled alcohol, balanced, nicely integrated, smooth, silky, delicious.

Gold Medal

Corner Creek Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Corner Creek Distillery, KY)
Four grain “Wheated”.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toasted sugars, clotted cream, creamy, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, pineapple, mango, banana, citrus, sweet grain, mixed flowers, nutty, nutmeg, pine, cedar, cotton.
Palate: Toffee, praline, molasses, muscovado sugar, demerara, cotton candy, cream, clotted cream, vanilla, honey, honey Graham crackers, biscuit, raisins, honeydew melon, marmalade, orange, lemon, lemon zest, citrus, tea leaves, clove, clay, oak, spice, buttery, oak, sweet but good, delicate.
Finish: Butterscotch, buttery, vanilla, honey, orange, lemon Tang, minty, tea leaves, clove, woody, rich, soft, creamy.

Gold Medal

Uncle Chicken’s Bourbon Sippin’ Whiskey
(Bespoken Spirits, S.F., CA)  94° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, brown sugar, honey, marmalade, orange peel, honeysuckle, marzipan, gardenia, flowers, spearmint, kale, spice, peppery, tobacco, woody, oak.
Palate: Big caramel, toffee, fudge, chocolate, white chocolate, honey, Honey Graham, cereal grains, banana, pineapple, orange, green apple, mint, hazelnut, clove, allspice, spice, balanced, soft, smooth, rich, creamy.
Finish: Toffee, prune, sultana, orange, citrus, honeysuckle, rose, mint, apricot seed, malt, nutmeg, allspice, clove, spicy, sweet, airy, smooth, creamy, pleasant, easy drinking.

Gold Medal

King's Family Distillery Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(TN)  Distilled in Indiana.  118° prf

Nose: Caramel, cooked toffee, chocolate, fudge, molasses, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, apple, wildflowers, cereal, toast, spice, leather, smoke, stone.
Palate: Caramel, caramel apple, vanilla, honey, tropical fruit, Juicy Fruit gum, apricot, mint, pecan, coffee, cinnamon, spicy, peppery, buttery, oak, burlap, sherry, big.
Finish: Cocoa, fudge, vanilla, fruity, coffee, clove, leather, balanced, complex, smooth, layered, big, rich, flavorful, outstanding.

Gold Medal

Giant Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Cask Strength
(Giant Texas Distillers, TX)
Distilled from Texas grains. Aged 2 years.  121.6° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, cooked treacle, praline, chocolate, nougat, vanilla, dark cherry, lemon, green apple, apple peel, grass, peppermint, tobacco, toast, leather, spicy, pine, oak, woody, wet stone.
Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, sugar cane, Graham cracker, honey, pineapple, citrus, mint, tea leaves, hay, cereal, raw peanut, allspice, spicy, peppery, leather, musty, woody, oak, silky mouthfeel, smooth, creamy, powerful.
Finish: Caramel, heavy molasses, vanilla, coffee, spicy, peppery, leather, smoke, woody, sherry, great in a cocktail.

Gold Medal

Tennessee Waltz Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Fugitives Tennessee Artisan Spirits, TN)
Distilled from rye, corn & barley.  94° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, chocolate, vanilla, toasted vanilla, nougat, melted butter, buttery, honey, dried dark fruit, dried apricot, banana, orange, orange peel, green apple, green leaves, tea, distant cinnamon, clove, new oak.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, buttery, melted butter, chocolate, heavy molasses, honey, orange blossom honey, stewed fruit, banana, dried fruit, orange peel, eucalyptus, cinnamon, allspice, clove, pepper, red pepper, leather, wheat, grain, oak, good balance, stays silky, soft.
Finish: Elegant blend of honey & vanilla, mocha, grain, wheat, toast, a touch of cinnamon, apple, orange, pepper, spicy, smoky, dusty, well balanced, nice, delicate, beautiful heat, rich, creamy, delicious.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

M&O Spirits Black Bourbon Whiskey
(OH)  Pot distilled 3x from a blend of corn, rye, red wheat
& malted barley. Double oaked. Aged 3 years, 1 mo.
100° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, molasses, chocolate, buttery, cream, vanilla, dried fruit, grass, leaves, hay, roasted grains, cinnamon, spicy, tobacco, leather, musty, wet stone, oak, old wood.
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: Caramel, honey, apricot, mango, orange zest, mint, hazelnut, cereal, cinnamon, hot pepper, woody, smooth, solid, rounds out nicely, flavorful, easy drinking.

Silver Medal

Axe and the Oak Colorado Mountain Bourbon
(Axe and the Oak Distillery, CO)
  Distilled from corn, malted rye & malted barley. Aged 3 years.
92° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, chocolate, vanilla, sugarcane, creamsicle, honey, banana, peach, powerful orange, pear, apple, overripe fruit, red grapes, sweet grains, corn flakes, nut shells, spice, green leaves, pine, oak, tobacco musty, funk, rum like.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, molasses, brown sugar, honey, dates, stewed plums, apricot, orange, grass, peppers, nutty, earthy, leather, tobacco, bitter wood, woody, cedar, oak, heat.
Finish: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, honey, bold banana, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, spicy, nutty, toast, mash, rich, complex, layered, nice, rich, creamy, classic.

Silver Medal

Durant & Booth Wine Barreled Kentucky Bourbon
(CA)  Aged in Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon wine barrels.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, dark toffee, molasses,cane sugar, vanilla, pastry, maple, honey, dried fruit, ripe plantain, corn, orange peel, evergreen, light wood, oak, charcoal, mellow.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, chocolate, vanilla, honey, sweet corn, mango, pineapple, plantain, green apple, apple skin, lemon zest, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, pepper, peppery, straw, toast, dry oak, musty, balanced, silky, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, burnt honey, lemon, nutty, crusty bread, allspice, light pepper, dusty, earthy, funk, madeira, complex, well balanced, smooth, round, mouth filling, pulls together, nice, enjoyable.

Silver Medal

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Night Spirit Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(High Peaks Distilling, NY)
Aged 6 years in custom oak barrels. Limited edition of 500 bottles.  94° prf

Nose: Treacle, fudge, vanilla, honey, honeycomb, raisin, banana, peanut butter, cereal, multigrain, bread, yeast, white gravy, leather, tobacco, mineral, fresh cut wood, oak.
Palate: Butterscotch, chocolate, fudge, buttery, vanilla, maple, sweet canned corn, coconut, peach, green apple, grassy, eucalyptus, hint of rye, cereal, cinnamon, burnt spice, spicy, peppery, white pepper, black pepper, tobacco, musty, saw dust, wood, oak, charred oak, sherry, tasty.
Finish: Vanilla, corn, walnut, cinnamon, clove, pepper, spicy, oaky, wood notes, complex layers, mellow, nice characteristics, masculine, zesty, creamy.

Bronze Medal

Old Hickory Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(R.S. Lipman Co., OH)  Distilled in Indiana.  86° prf

Nose: Caramel, sweet toffee, molasses, mocha, cream, sweet vanilla, honey, sweet roasted corn, pineapple, coconut, maize, cinnamon, clove, white pepper, leather, popsicle stick, oak, sherry.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, treacle, white sugar, butter, honey, pineapple, hint of banana, dried fruit, orange, green apple, licorice, almond, spicy corn, clove, baking spices, white peppercorn, pepper, tobacco leaf, leather, toast, charcoal.
Finish: Caramel, candy caramel, butterscotch, maple, honey, green apple, corn dog, spicy, white pepper, black pepper, old oak, barrel, sherry, approachable, tasty.

Bronze Medal

I Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(Triple I, KY)  Distilled in Tennessee.  86° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, brown sugar, buttery, clotted cream, vanilla, honey, coconut, banana, pineapple, apple, red apple skin, orange peel, flowery, dried flowers, herbal, mint, grass, green leaves, mocha, wheat, oak.
Palate: Caramel, spicy caramel, molasses, buttery, vanilla, honey, jam, apricot, sweet potato, orange, orange zest, elderflower, licorice, tobacco, bread, mocha, almond, walnut, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, spice, peppery, stone, oak, creamy.
Finish: Cream, butter, orange, nutty, nutmeg, clove, allspice, habanero, pepper, musty, oak, smooth, creamy.

Bronze Medal

Last Shot Distillery Bourbon Whiskey
(Skaneateles Distilleries, NY)  Distilled from NY State grains.
84° prf

Nose: Toffee, burnt butter, cream soda, dark sugar, dried apricot, dried fruit, pineapple, green vegetable, mushroom, root, grass, hay, peppermint, moss, pine, barnyard, leather, toast, smoky, woodsy, red wine.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, chocolate, butter, vanilla, sugar, honey, banana, prune, vegetal, grassy, Earl Grey tea, cereal, walnut, almond, nutty, nutmeg, clove, black pepper, peppery, habanero, oak, woodsy, smoky, port notes, creamy.
Finish: Butterscotch, treacle, chocolate, vanilla, pastry, nutty, walnut spice, white pepper, balanced, not complex, smooth, flavorful.

Bronze Medal