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Photo for: Elevate Your Winter: 10 Bourbons to Try for an Unforgettable Season

Spirits Reviews

Elevate Your Winter: 10 Bourbons to Try for an Unforgettable Season

Discover the Top 10 Award-Winning Bourbons for a Memorable Winter: Exceptional Spirits, Unforgettable Flavors, and Expert Recommendations from the London Spirits Competition.

Get ready to elevate your winter season with a curated list of the top 10 Bourbons that are set to make your cold days warm and your nights unforgettable. These exceptional spirits have been handpicked by a panel of experts at the 2023 London Spirits Competition, where quality, value, and packaging are rigorously assessed.

Join us on a journey through the world of Bourbon, where we'll introduce you to these standout brands and their remarkable qualities. Whether you're a seasoned Bourbon enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this collection promises to add a touch of warmth and a lot of flavor to your winter. So, without further ado, let's dive into the world of exceptional Bourbons that are perfect for sipping by the fire or sharing with friends during this magical season.

Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Uncut & Unfiltered Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon, a true gem of Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, achieved a Gold Medal at the 2023 London Spirits Competition with an impressive score of 94 points. Judges hailed it as a symphony of tantalizing flavors, with caramel, dried fruits, chocolate, vanilla, and fudge weaving a remarkable journey from nose to palate. It boasts a lingering, excellent finish.

Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask Whisky

Crafted in Lovingston, Conviction Bourbon Cask is a testament to the unwavering dedication, maturing for a minimum of four years in first-fill Bourbon barrels from Kentucky. At the 2023 London Spirits Competition, it clinched a Gold Medal with 93 points, standing out with flavors of pepper, vanilla, spice, and fruit cakes, all culminating in a well-balanced smooth finish. This American Single Malt from Virginia Distillery Company marries tradition and innovation, a liquid masterpiece narrating a story of courage, conviction, and exceptional taste.

Tasting note: "An American single malt with flavors and aromas of pepper, vanilla, spice, and fruit cakes on nose and palate with a well-balanced smooth finish."

Brother’s Bond Original Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Brother's Bond Original Cask is a remarkable cask-strength bourbon, a testament to the art of blending three distinct mash bills into a four-grain masterpiece. It tantalizes with caramel, vanilla, and ripe banana aromas, offers a flavorful journey with hints of leather and smokiness, and finishes with a kick of rye spice. The London Spirits Competition judges praised its body, complexity, and intensity. In essence, Brother's Bond Bourbon is a must-try for those craving a rich and unforgettable whiskey experience.

Heaven’s Door Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Crafted in a Tennessee church by legendary Bob Dylan and Marc Bushala, this whiskey ages for a minimum of 8 years in American oak barrels. Named after Dylan's iconic song 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door,' it delights with aromas of toasted barley, fresh oak, and a smooth palate featuring fruity, vanilla, and ripe banana notes. Judges at the London Spirits Competition lauded its excellence. They depict its flavor as - “Straight bourbon with aromas and flavors of toasted barley, mash, fresh oak smooth on the palate with fruity, vanilla and ripe banana with a long finish.”

Free Spirits - The Spirits of Bourbon

At the 2023 London Spirits Competition, the Spirit of Bourbon secured a well-deserved Silver Medal with an impressive 86 points. This non-alcoholic alternative boasts rich, oaky, and caramel-kissed flavors, awakening taste buds and elevating moods. With all-natural ingredients, it offers a guilt-free experience, described by judges as - "A non-alcoholic spirit with an intense nose of creamy tobacco with hints of sweet tarragon on the palate and hints of bergamot and zest with a long finish and aftertaste."

For a deeper dive into the judging process at the London Spirits Competition, check out the video below to understand how they find spirits that truly deserve recognition.

10-Year Single Grain Bourbon & Rye Series

The 10-Year Single Grain Bourbon & Rye Series, a fusion of ex-bourbon and ex-rye casks, aged 10 to 12 years, offers a rich, full-bodied character. Expect vanilla, caramel, and honey notes intertwined with vivacious oak spice. It proudly secured a Silver Medal at the 2023 London Spirits Competition with an 86-point score.

Here's what the judges at the London Spirits Competition had to say about it: “10 Year Single Grain Bourbon & Rye Blended Irish whisky with a dry nose, some citrus fruit and cream opens into a big mouthfeel pronounced citrus sweetness and a long finish.”

Legends Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The Legends Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Georgia earned a well-deserved Silver Medal with an 86-point rating at the 2023 London Spirits Competition. Its alluring rose gold hue and harmonious blend of flavors, including brown sugar, toffee, and candied almonds, captivated the judges.

Tasting Notes: “A straight bourbon with the nose of oak, vanilla, banana, and toasted hazelnut on the nose and flavors of dates, caramel, and toffee with a medium finish and intensity."

Bhakta 2013 Bourbon

Bhakta Bourbon 2013 is a unique 99% corn bourbon, aged in vintage Armagnac casks. While aging whiskey in Armagnac casks is a rarity, Bhakta's venture follows in the footsteps of a few other notable brands, such as Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend.

This intriguing spirit won a Silver Medal with an 86-point rating at the 2023 London Spirits Competition. It's a burst of flavor, complexity, and quality. Here's what the judges at the London Spirits Competition had to say about it: “A bourbon with flavors and aromas of oak, pepper, vanilla, and raspberries. Smooth, clean, and gentle even though high proof with lovely balance, silky texture, and a long finish.”

Bowsaw Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

On the grand stage of the 2023 London Spirits Competition, the Bowsaw Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey clinched a well-deserved Silver Medal with an impressive 85-point rating, and it undoubtedly lives up to the acclaim.

This exceptional creation seamlessly blends three grains - corn, rye, and malted barley, resulting in a luxuriously smooth whiskey bursting with delightful hints of vanilla and honey. And it's not just a treat for your taste buds – the bottle's design is a visual gem.

Here's the verdict from the London Spirits Competition judges: "A bourbon with flavors and aromas of oak, vanilla, and sweet spice on the nose and palate with a clean fruity finish."

RD One Bourbon

RD One Spirits Straight Bourbon is a quintessential Kentucky classic crafted and bottled in the heart of the Bluegrass state. Aged for a minimum of four years, it combines 100% Kentucky corn and local limestone well water in a non-chill filtered sour mash.

With delightful scents of vanilla wafers and toasted almonds, it reinterprets tradition with every sip. Earning an impressive 85 points and a well-deserved Silver Medal at the 2023 London Spirits Competition, this bourbon rightfully claims its accolades. According to the judges, it's a bourbon that delights with flavors and aromas of oak, vanilla, and sweet spice on both the nose and palate, concluding with a clean and fruity finish.

Check all the details about the 2023 London Spirits Competition winners right here.

Written by Baishali Das, Beverage Trade Network

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