In late April, the outcomes of the 2025 London Spirits Competitors (LSC) have been launched, and for bourbon followers, the checklist is important studying. Judged by bartenders, consumers, and trade professionals from world wide, the LSC focuses on what actually issues: how a whiskey tastes within the glass.
This yr’s Gold Medal winners embrace each iconic names and rising craft distillers, every acknowledged for his or her taste, character, and general excellence.
On this article, we’ll take a more in-depth take a look at every Gold-winning bourbon from the 2025 LSC, highlighting the distillery behind it, the way it’s made, and what you possibly can count on while you pour a glass.
W.L. Weller Vintage 107 – 99 Factors – Whisky of the Yr
From $129
Weller Vintage 107, made at Buffalo Hint in Kentucky, is a wheated bourbon bottled at 107 proof. It makes use of wheat as an alternative of rye within the mash invoice, which is believed to be round 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley – the identical recipe as Pappy Van Winkle.
Although it’s not age-stated, most barrels are regarded as between 6 and eight years previous. The flavour is wealthy and full-bodied, with notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and baking spice. Regardless of the excessive proof, it drinks clean, with a warming end.
It earned 99 factors on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors and was named Whisky of the Yr.
Lancaster Ale Cask Uncommon Bourbon – 99 Factors – Straight Bourbon of the Yr
From $55
From Lancaster Craft Spirits in Pennsylvania, this six-year-old straight bourbon is completed for over a yr in barrels that after held a wealthy, malty Wee Heavy ale. Bottled at 94 proof, it contains a conventional mash invoice with rye because the secondary grain.
The result’s a bourbon with notes of toasted oak, floral vanilla, pecan praline, and refined hops. The end provides a delicate beer-driven twist with out overpowering the whiskey’s core character.
It scored 99 factors on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors and was named Straight Bourbon of the Yr.
W.L. Weller 12 Yr – 98 Factors
From $129.99
Weller 12 Yr is a wheated bourbon from Buffalo Hint, bottled at 90 proof and aged a full 12 years. It shares the identical mash invoice as Vintage 107 and Pappy Van Winkle, utilizing wheat as an alternative of rye for a softer profile.
Count on layered notes of cherry, vanilla, dried fruit, oak, and honey, with a clean, spicy end. Typically referred to as “Child Pappy” or “Poor Man’s Pappy”, it’s a extremely regarded long-aged bourbon that continues to attract sturdy demand.
It earned 98 factors and a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors.
Home windows Distillery 4 Barrel – 98 Factors
From $84.99
Crafted in Sycamore, Illinois, 4 Barrel is a blended bourbon aged in new oak, then completed in a mixture of sherry, port, and maple syrup casks. It’s bottled at 102 proof and made in small batches by Home windows Distillery.
This layered whiskey affords flavors of plum, vanilla, toffee, toasted coconut, and a contact of smoke. Every cask provides depth with out overwhelming the bourbon’s core.
It obtained 98 factors and a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors.
1792 Single Barrel – 95 Factors
From $40
Produced at Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, this high-rye bourbon is bottled at 98.6 proof and chosen from particular person barrels for his or her standout character.
It contains a daring, spicy profile with notes of caramel, fig, baking spice, and toasted oak. The upper rye content material offers it a energetic edge, balanced by wealthy sweetness and a protracted, warming end.
It obtained 95 factors and a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors.
Eagle Uncommon 17 Yr Previous – 95 Factors
From $1,795
One other expression from the long-lasting Buffalo Hint Distillery, Eagle Uncommon 17 is an extra-aged bourbon bottled at 101 proof. It makes use of the distillery’s low-rye mash invoice and is aged for at least 17 years.
Count on deep, mature flavors of vintage oak, dried cherry, tobacco, vanilla, and leather-based, with a protracted, elegant end. Its prolonged ageing brings richness with out overwhelming the steadiness.
It earned 95 factors and a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors
E.H. Taylor Small Batch – 95 Factors
From $65
This Small Batch bourbon from Buffalo Hint is made utilizing the distillery’s low-rye mash invoice and aged for round six to seven years. It’s bottled at 100 proof and named after Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., a pioneer of bourbon high quality requirements, together with the well-known ‘Bottled-In-Bond’ Act of 1897.
The flavour profile contains caramel corn, butterscotch, licorice, oak, and a touch of black pepper. It’s a well-balanced, full-flavored bourbon with a traditional really feel.
It scored 95 factors and took dwelling a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors.
Maker’s Mark – 95 Factors
From $23
A staple of Kentucky bourbon, Maker’s Mark is a wheated bourbon bottled at 90 proof. It makes use of delicate pink winter wheat instead of rye, giving it a clean, rounded taste profile. It is usually recognizable by its iconic pink wax seal, pioneered by Margie Samuels.
Search for notes of vanilla, toffee, pink apple, and delicate baking spice. It’s aged to style, sometimes round six years, and recognized for its signature pink wax seal.
It earned 95 factors and a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors.
Maker’s Mark 46 – 95 Factors
From $34
Maker’s 46 begins as traditional Maker’s Mark, then is completed with seared French oak staves for further depth. It’s aged an extra 9 weeks in a limestone cellar and bottled at 94 proof.
The result’s a richer, spicier bourbon with notes of toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, and baking spice. It provides complexity whereas protecting the graceful character of the unique Maker’s Mark.
It obtained 95 factors and a Gold Medal on the 2025 London Spirits Competitors.
Ultimate Ideas
This yr’s Gold Medal winners on the London Spirits Competitors embrace a large mixture of bourbons, from on a regular basis favorites to ultra-premium bottles. Whereas some (like Eagle Uncommon 17, and Weller) could also be tougher to seek out or priced on the high finish, many on the checklist are extra accessible and provide distinctive high quality with out the collector’s markup.
Nicely-known names like Maker’s Mark and 1792 are dependable staples that greater than earn their place on any dwelling bar. For these trying to attempt one thing off the overwhelmed path, the Lancaster Ale Cask Uncommon and Home windows 4 Barrel bourbons deliver craft innovation and distinctive cask finishes value exploring.
Whether or not you’re new to bourbon or trying to develop your assortment, this lineup affords one thing for everybody. That’s the wonderful thing about competitions just like the London Spirits Comepetition – they shine a lightweight on each trusted classics and hidden gems, serving to you uncover your subsequent favourite bottle.
Do you have already got a favourite bourbon from the above checklist? Or have these outcomes simply given you the urge to attempt one thing new? Tell us within the feedback under.
