For the first time, Barleycorn took the highest scoring entries from the medaling round of competition and blind tasted them a 2nd time to determine Double Gold evaluations and "Best of Spring" taste-off winners.
If the spirit passed the test these select group of judges assigned a numerical rating for the first time in our history of competitions.
This blind-tasting additional playoff round was judged by veteran Barleycorn Society members Frank Caiafa, Robin Robinson, Tony Sachs, and John McCarthy.
The 2025 "Best Of Year" winners will be selected from the highest Spring and Fall scores. The following list represents the best of the Spring competition.
FULL LIST OF 2025 RESULTS
Best Bourbon
15 STARS Artisan Collection
15 STARS
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel's 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel's
Best American Single Malt
Cedar Ridge – The QuintEssential Special Release – Wine Club
Cedar Ridge Distillery
Best American Rye Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s
Best Single Barrel Bourbon
Starlight Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon
Starlight Distillery
Best American Whiskey
Barrel King-#AC1-Blended by “Air Capital Barrel Society”
Barrel King
Best Canadian Whiskey
Larrikin Bourbon Co. Decade Rye – Cognac Barrel
Larrikin Bourbon Co.
Best World Single Malt
Rampur Jugalbandi #6
Rampur Distillery
Best Corn Whiskey
Barrel King #99 “Cornholio” – January 2025
Barrel King
Best Irish Whiskey
Redbreast 18 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Pernod Ricard USA
Best American Brandy
Starlight Distillery Bottled-In-Bond Single Barrel Estate Apple Brandy
Starlight Distillery
Best Cognac
Courvoisier XO
Courvoisier
Best Moonshine
Ole Smoky Blackberry Moonshine
Ole Smoky Distillery
Best Tequila
Tequila Ocho Anejo
Samson & Surrey
Best Mezcal
Mezcal Vago Espadin Joel Barriga
Samson & Surrey
Best Vodka
Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka
Round 2 Spirits
Best Gin
Madrona Garden Club Gin
Madrona Distillery
Best Liqueur
Bauchant Orange Liqueur
Palm Bay International
Best Vermouth/Fortified Wine
Boissiere Vermouth Sweet Vermouth
Palm Bay International
Best RTD Cocktail
Sun Cruiser Strawberry Lemonade
Sun Cruiser Beverage Co.
Best Marketing Video
Harry “The Hoof” Henderson for Pinhook Bourbon
Highball
Best Marketing Campaign
Hirsch Whiskey: Adventure Awaits on the Slopes
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