The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) recently announced the top bourbon for 2025, and it’s none other than Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon. This bourbon, which scored an incredible 98 points, has quickly become a standout in the whiskey world. Despite being a relatively new player in the industry, Frank August has managed to make a significant impact with its high-quality offerings.
Founded in 2022 by former fashion executive Johnathan Crocker and his partners, Frank August is a non-distilling producer that specializes in sourcing and blending whiskey from Kentucky distilleries. The winning bourbon is a 100-proof Kentucky blend, made from batches of 10 to 15 barrels sourced from undisclosed distilleries. While the exact mash bill remains a mystery, it is known that the bourbon is at least four years old.
Judges at the IWSC competition in Bardstown, Kentucky, were blown away by the complexity and depth of flavors in Frank August Small Batch. With notes of apple tart, custard, dried apricots, buckwheat honey, vanilla, and warm spice, this bourbon offers a truly unique tasting experience. It’s no wonder that it received a Gold Outstanding medal and ultimately clinched the Bourbon Trophy for 2025.
In addition to the award-winning Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Frank August also impressed judges with four other whiskeys scoring at least 95 points in the competition. These include the Frank August Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Frank August Case Study: 05 Wheated Reserve, Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and Frank August Case Study: 03 Winter Cover Rye.
The IWSC also awarded the American Whiskey Trophy to Pinkhook’s Vertical Series 9 Year Old Rye, another 98-point spirit. This rye whiskey was distilled from a 95% rye mash bill at Indiana’s MGP distillery and aged at Castle & Key Distillery in Kentucky before blending.
Overall, the 2025 IWSC saw a number of exceptional whiskey trophy winners across various categories. From Single Malt Scotch Whisky to Blended Scotch Whisky to Irish Whiskey and even Worldwide Whiskey, the competition showcased the best of the best in the world of spirits. Frank August’s success in the bourbon category is a testament to its commitment to quality and innovation, solidifying its reputation as a rising star in the whiskey industry.
