Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS has been crowned the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, solidifying its place as a standout in the world of whiskey. This 13-year bottled-in-bond bourbon, produced by Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distillery, also earned the title of Best Kentucky Bourbon. The award-winning bourbon has gained recognition for its exceptional quality and distinguished flavor profile.
Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the nation’s oldest and largest bourbon producers, acquired the historic Old Fitzgerald brand in 1999. Since then, the distillery has released prized decanter bottlings of Old Fitzgerald twice per year. The modern releases of Old Fitzgerald typically feature age statements ranging from eight to 19 years. Known for its wheated bourbon style, Old Fitzgerald is distilled from a mash of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.
The 13-year-old 2024 VVS release, however, holds an even more illustrious history. Distilled in 1999 when Heaven Hill purchased the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, this bourbon was deemed exceptional by master distiller Parker Beam and his team in March 2013. Beam instructed the whiskey to be stored in steel tanks, awaiting a momentous occasion. After Beam’s passing in 2017, Heaven Hill decided to release the whiskey in 2024 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Bernheim acquisition and Beam’s legacy with the company.
This limited release bourbon hit shelves in highly restricted supply at Heaven Hill’s visitors center and select retailers in Kentucky only. Like all modern Old Fitzgerald releases, the 2024 VVS is 100-proof and carries a bottled-in-bond designation. With an ABV of 50%, this bourbon underwent 13 years of maturation in new American oak barrels before being bottled and released to the public in the first half of 2024.
The World Whiskies Awards, after multiple rounds of judging by experienced palates, determined that Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS was the year’s best bourbon. The blind evaluations, conducted by a diverse panel of judges from the whiskey industry, highlighted the exceptional quality of this bourbon. Among reviewers and enthusiasts, the 2024 VVS release was highly anticipated and well-received, making it a standout in the world of bourbon.
In addition to Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS, other winners in the American whiskey categories at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards included Wenzel Whiskey Straight Bourbon Finished In Sherry Casks, Boulder Spirits 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon, Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee 12 Years Old Batch #2, and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash. These awards showcase the diversity and excellence of American whiskey producers, from established giants to craft operations and non-distilling producers.
Overall, the World Whiskies Awards celebrate the best in whiskey production from around the globe, highlighting exceptional spirits and recognizing the talent and dedication of distillers worldwide. As the whiskey industry continues to evolve and innovate, awards like these serve as a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship behind each bottle of whiskey. Overcoming Fear: Strategies for Conquering Your Fears
Fear is a powerful and often overwhelming emotion that can hold us back from reaching our full potential. Whether it’s a fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown, we all have fears that can hinder our progress and prevent us from living our best lives. However, it is possible to overcome these fears and move past them in order to achieve our goals and dreams.
One of the first steps in overcoming fear is to identify the source of your fear. What is it that you are afraid of? Is it a fear of failure, rejection, or something else? Once you have identified the source of your fear, you can begin to work on addressing it and finding ways to move past it.
One common fear that many people have is a fear of failure. The fear of not succeeding can be paralyzing, causing us to avoid taking risks or trying new things. To overcome this fear, it is important to reframe failure as a learning opportunity. Failure is not the end of the road, but rather a stepping stone on the path to success. By viewing failure as a chance to learn and grow, you can begin to take risks and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Another common fear is a fear of rejection. Whether it’s fear of rejection in relationships, at work, or in social situations, the fear of being rejected can prevent us from putting ourselves out there and forming meaningful connections. To overcome this fear, it is important to remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth as a person. Everyone faces rejection at some point in their lives, and it is a normal part of the human experience. By accepting that rejection is a possibility, you can begin to take risks and pursue opportunities without letting the fear of rejection hold you back.
In addition to reframing your thoughts about fear, there are practical strategies that you can use to overcome your fears. One effective strategy is to face your fears head-on through exposure therapy. By gradually exposing yourself to the source of your fear in a controlled environment, you can desensitize yourself to it and build up your tolerance over time. For example, if you have a fear of public speaking, you can start by practicing in front of a small group of friends before working your way up to larger audiences.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can also be helpful in managing fear and anxiety. By practicing deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, you can calm your mind and body and reduce the physical symptoms of fear, such as racing heart or sweaty palms. These techniques can help you stay present in the moment and focus on the task at hand, rather than letting your fear take over.
Ultimately, overcoming fear is a process that takes time and effort. It is important to be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. By facing your fears head-on, reframing your thoughts, and using practical strategies, you can conquer your fears and live a more fulfilling and authentic life. Remember, you are capable of achieving great things, even in the face of fear.
