The Bourbon Resource Awards: December 2025
The Bourbon Resource expands its awards to 12 categories
By Ray Marcano, Publisher, The Bourbon Resource
Happy Holidays, and welcome to the third annual Bourbon Resource Awards newsletter.
The newsletter takes a different approach to awards. Instead of ranking by best-in-class, the Bourbon Resource categorizes the best by price point.
Why price point? That’s what readers tell us they want to see. What’s expensive? What’s special? What’s a value? All can help inform what makes an outstanding everyday drinker and what’s a special gift.
Also note, I’ve rounded up the price to the nearest penny, so $44.99 is $45. It’s an easier, cleaner read.
You can see a full list of The Bourbon Resource 2024 and 2023 winners here.
Let the debate begin.
DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Starlight Distillery, Borden, IN
Starlight Distillery is located at the Huber Orchard and Winery in a picturesque setting about 30 minutes northwest of Louisville. The first time I visited, I was confused. We drove along winding roads and past farmland before finding the property. Starlight produces amazing bourbon, and I have six bottles from the three private picks I’ve done there. Other distilleries do better bourbon tours, but Starlight bests them with its overall experience. Huber’s has created a family-friendly environment featuring a farm park, ice cream shop, farmer’s market, music, and more. At the same time, the bourbon lovers can tour the facilities, select their own barrel, or choose from several spirits options in the gift shop. One day isn’t enough to experience everything, and that’s not a bad thing. You’ll want to go several times.
BOURBON OF THE YEAR
Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Series Camp Nelson E. 128 proof, MSRP: $300
One sip of this bourbon and you’ll go, yep, he’s right about this one. Here’s a snippet of my review: “From the moment I opened the sample, I could tell this was special. Everything about this pour is rich, deep, and long.. I rarely go, ‘whoa,’ on the nose, and I did here. And then everything flowed from that. It’s a big, bold, thick pour that alternates between that molasses and cherry. Complex flavors pop, and unless you’re in the business of deciphering flavors, you wouldn’t care. No one tries to parse flavors when they eat their favorite cake or have their favorite meal. They just enjoy it. This is a bourbon to savor and enjoy. The finish is as long as the Mississippi River and flows just as well.’’ I could try to say some other things about this bourbon, but that sums it up. I’m still looking for a couple of bottles.
Other contenders: Redemption 18, Augusta Bruckner 13, Fifteen Stars 8 & 15 blend. All are referenced below.
Distillery Brand of the Year:
Proof and Wood, offices in New Canaan, CT., warehouse in Bardstown, KY
Thinking through this award was tough. Should the distillery of the year be a company that distills, ages, and bottles its bourbon? If that’s the case, there would be a limit to which brands could be recognized. On the other hand, many outstanding bourbons source their product, which is more common today.
This year, I chose an unconventional option. Proof and Wood isn’t top of mind when thinking of spirits companies. But it should be. They source, age, and bottle whiskey in Kentucky, and have produced three of my favorites: The Representative (bourbon, 116.3 proof, $60), the Senator (barrel proof rye, 116.78 proof, $80), and the Cabinet (rye/bourbon blend, 112.52 proof, $110). They have others, but these stack up with anything on the market. When a relatively small company produces whiskey of this quality, it deserves a shoutout.
RYE WHISKEY OF THE YEAR
Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Straight Rye Whiskey, 106 proof, $90
As an adult, I’ve been surprised by little. I wasn’t surprised when BenLo (Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez) broke up, or by assertions that nanbots can control the weather (they can’t, I don’t think), or by wild claims that with a little pill I could obtain the looks and physique of Michael B. Jordan (not the hoops star, but the actor).
But I was surprised by the Penelope Tokaji rye finished in Tokaji wine cask. Here’s what I wrote in my March 2024 review: “Penelope has single-handedly made me rethink my anti-rye, anti-cask-finish stances. This is a terrific whiskey that would be a star on any shelf. Its $90 price tag isn’t bad for a quality cask-finished product.” So, to the very good folks at Penelope, please surprise me again.
BEST ULTRA PREMIUM BOURBON: $225 and up
Redemption 18 Ancients Series collection, 103.4 proof, MSRP: $400
Off the bat, I was struck by the lack of oak, which can be overpowering in bourbons aged nearly two decades. In this case, the oak takes a back seat to a cascade of flavors, including oak and cinnamon. It has a nice amber color and a thickness that coats the mouth. The tasting notes listed sweet cherry, but I didn’t get that until minutes (literally) after a taste. This bourbon has a finish as long as anything I’ve had, and the cherry does come through. If you’re looking for a special bourbon, this is it, but good luck. Redemption, a subsidiary of Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits, released only 2,400 bottles. You can find them on the secondary for not much more than MSRP, but every time I do, someone snags it. As Yoda would say, “Smart, they are.”
Best premium bourbon, $175 to $224
Augusta Distillery Buckner’s Aged 13 Years Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, proof varies, MSRP $220 [1]
The Augusta Brückner 13 is one of the distillery’s premium offerings, and it’s spectacular. As with any allocated product, this one’s hard to find. The distillery is on the Ohio River in Bracken County, Kentucky, and it’s one of the places that you might find a bottle of their most sought-after expressions. This one pops with the standard vanilla and caramel, but also oak, pepper, and light chocolate. Some of these come in about 130-plus proof, which is speaking my language. This bourbon will appeal to anyone, especially with a deep amber color that shouts “come-hither” and a taste that will have you licking your lips just as you do when a drop of your favorite ice cream melts in the summer. This is one hot bad boy.
Best Bourbon, $125 to $174:
15 Stars Blend 8 & 15 Private Stock, 107 proof, MSRP $140
Christmas came early when I saw 15 Stars, which is distilled at the Bardstown Bourbon Co., offered one-cent shipping through December. I just finished my one bottle of the 8 & 15 blend, and the bottom of the bottle is the type of occasion that brings tears to my eyes. Will I ever be able to smell its fragrant sweetness with a touch of maple, or taste the supple, brown sugar, or experience a finish that teases me with that alluring, deep, rich cherry that lingers on the tongue? I know, this sounds like 50 Shades of Ray, but you’d swoon too with a taste of this.
Best Bourbon: $100 to $124:
Bomberger’s Declaration Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 108 Proof, $120
In sports, a three-peat is as rare as Superman passing up a cape. The Boston Celtics, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Yankees are among those that accomplished the feat. So, we have our first Bourbon Resource three-peat. Once again, Bomberger’s takes the best in this price point. I looked at other options, and because I’m here for you, dear readers, I tasted bourbons in this price point, including Rebel 10, Yellowstone 10, the Penelope Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Cask Finish Rio, and more. Any of those choices would have been fair, but Bomberger’s continued excellence stands above all else. It has enormous toffee, burnt sugar, caramel, and vanilla. Its rich, deep color makes sense because the bourbon sits dark and bold in the glass. It has a long finish, and the heat isn’t immense, even at 108 proof. A three-peat it is.
Best Bourbon: $75 to $99:
Old Forestor Single Barrel, Barrel Strength. Proof varies, $80
Scene: Living room. Sun setting and rays peak through slightly opened curtains. A woman looks at her partner, gently pats the couch, and, with lust in her eyes, says, “Hey, why don’t you bring me the heat?” and then points to a bottle of Old Forester. This is one hot bourbon, and I don’t mean the burn-your-chest type of heat. I mean heat as in it makes you quiver in anticipation of what comes next, and when you’ve had your sip, you want more. And more. And more. It’s like the warm hug you want to last forever and a kiss that goes on longer. This maple butter, caramel, and toffee masterpiece is the Frito-Lay of bourbon, because you just can’t have one. I had six bottles at the start of the summer, and I’m down to four.
Best Bourbon: $50 to $75:
Stagg Bourbon cask strength, 126.9 proof, $69
Some people still call this Stagg, Jr., but it’s just Stagg. I lucked out and got a bottle of the most recent release, the 25B at retail, which hasn’t happened in years. I usually pay $150 on the secondary to snare a bottle. I was prepared to name the Elijah Craig B525 the winner, but the Stagg takes it with a pour that produces a thicker mouth feel, slightly richer texture, and a flavor that reminds me of my favorite chocolate caramel candy. This price range has become the new bourbon sweet spot, with a bevy of excellent options, like Larceny Full Proof, Knob Creek 12, Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon, and so many more. This price range is like the Los Angeles Dodgers, with lots of all-stars. Stagg is the equivalent of Shohei Ohtani.
Best Bourbon $25 to $49
Wild Turkey Rare Breed, 116.8 proof, $45
This is consistently a go-to bourbon and my favorite everyday pour. It’s everything a whiskey should be. Its rich vanilla, caramel, and sweet honey notes, coupled with a long finish, makes it tops in its class. It’s lately become a little hard to find, but if you can do so, grab one or two, especially since it’s likely to be above $50 this time next year.
Best Bourbon under $25:
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond white label, 100 proof, $20
The sweet, sugary nose contains hints of figs and dates. There’s no burn or bite on the palate, and people who taste this blind would guess this is a 90-proof or below drink. But it has strong notes of vanilla, honey, and brown sugar on the palate. The flavor quickly evaporates due to the short finish. In this case, the short finish isn’t a deal breaker because there’s so much flavor and balance elsewhere. Two Benchmark products, the Single Barrel and the Benchmark Fullproof, both at $25, are also strong contenders.
All of these are exceptional bourbons, but something occurred to me while looking this over. These are mostly high proof and don’t have any rye whiskeys noted. Fear not. Here are some lower-proof whiskeys worth your time.
David Nicholson Reserve 100 proof. Sweet, nutty, and slightly spicy, I always have a bottle of this LuxRow product on the shelf. $35
Bulleit 10-year Bourbon, 91.2 proof: Always approachable, a 10-year product with the standard whiskey flavors is always a must on the shelf. $48
Penelope Rose Cask finish, 94 proof. Sweet, smooth, light, and delicious, it’s a terrific warm-weather drink at an affordable price. $50
Rebel Small Batch Reserve, 110 proof. After I tasted this, I thought it was a misprint because it’s so smooth with no burn and the vanilla and caramel we’re used to in bourbon. Most importantly, it’s $35, and a steal at that price.
Ezra Brooks 99, 99 proof. Light but not thin, this is one of the best sub-$25 pours you’ll find.
NOTES:
[1] The 13-year Bruckner has an MSRP of $230 but often sells for $10 less, as it does here in Ohio.
Prices vary by location. Many of these hard-to-find bourbons can cost many times retail.
Unless noted, images were created by Google Gemini with pictures from my personal collection
A special thanks to all of the distilleries that send information about their newest releases and products, and those who send samples for review. They’re a big part of this newsletter’s success.
Thank you to my friends at Bourbon Obsessed for publishing some of our reviews.
Lastly, you can help this free newsletter by sharing it with friends. Thanks for reading!
That’s it for this month! If you’re an NBA fan, look at the Knicks Film School newsletter, which has the smartest commentary on all things New York Knicks and NBA basketball. And if you like wry societal observation, check out Tropic Press.
Ray Marcano writes and publishes the Bourbon Resource monthly, and he’s president of the 32 Staves Society. He’s a bourbon lover and long-time journalist who freelances for some of the country’s largest media brands. He’s the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, a Fulbright fellow, and was recently named best columnist in the state of Ohio.
Can’t wait to try the Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength sounds like a perfect fire-side pour.
Definitely bookmarking this. Great resource for both seasoned collectors and casual sippers.