Taste Test: Aging Whiskey in Japanese Oak Is Old Hat, But This New Bourbon Takes It to Another Level

Taste Test: Aging Whiskey in Japanese Oak Is Old Hat, But This New Bourbon Takes it to Another Level

The new Hokkaido bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the best mizunara oak-finished whiskeys to date

World’s Best Bourbons According to the IWSC 2025

Each year, the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) brings together judges from across the industry to assess thousands of spirits from around the world. Every bourbon in this list achieved a score of 98 or above, earning a “Spirit Gold Outstanding” medal, reserved for spirits that show exceptional quality, character, and balance. In 2025, five bourbons hit that benchmark. Spanning Tennessee, Kentucky, and New York, these expressions …