What a competition! Year after year, the Barleycorn Awards raise the bar—and 2025 delivered at the highest level yet.
An influential panel of globally recognized spirits communicators took on their toughest challenge to date, carefully evaluating an exceptional lineup of categories and expressions from across the globe. For the 4th straight year, Barleycorn faced off its Spring and Fall Competition Top Spirits to determine the Best Of 2025.
After countless pours, deep discussion, and spirited debate, The Barleycorn Society is delighted to reveal the Best of 2025. So pour yourself a dram, take a seat, and dive in—you just might find your next favorite bottle.
Broken ties, runaway winners, and surprising new up-and-comers emerged to take top honors, and it was such a pleasure discovering so many amazing spirits from producers from around the world this year along the way.
But the votes are tallied and it’s a pleasure to present our JOHN BARLEYCORN BEST SPIRITS OF 2025.
Large Distillery of the Year
Jack Daniels Distillery
Small Distillery of the Year
Starlight Distillery
Company to Watch
Old Dominick Distillery
Rising Star
Old Road Craft Spirits
Craft Distillery Of The Year
M&O Spirits
Blender of the Year
15 STARS
Marketer of the Year
Hemingway Whiskey Company
Spirit Of The Year
Tequila Ocho Anejo
Samson & Surrey
Director’s Choice Awards
Cedar Ridge The QuintEssential Special Release Wine Club
River City WhiskeySmall Batch #1
Madam Colonel PistachioBourbon Cream
Best Bourbon
15 STARS Artisan Collection Straight Bourbon, Aged 12 Years
15 STARS
Best Tequila
Tequila Ocho Anejo
Samson & Surrey
Best Mezcal
Contraluz Mezcal Cristalino
Casa Lumbre
Best Single Barrel Bourbon
M&O Spirits Black Bourbon Whiskey
M&O Spirits
Best American Single Malt
Virginia Distillery Co. Brewers Coalition Hardywood Gingerbread Stout Cask Finish
Virginia Distillery Company
Best Rye Whiskey
K.LUKE Whiskey Co. Toasted Barrel, Barrel Strength Rye Batch 5
K.LUKE Whiskey Co.
Best Single Barrel Rye
Larrikin Bourbon Co. Single Barrel Rye
Larrikin Bourbon Co.
Best American Whiskey
Barrel King #AC1 Blended by Air Capital Barrel Society
Barrel King
Best World Single Malt
Kadamba Indian Single Malt Whisky Champagne Barrel Finished
Imperial Distillers and Vintners Pvt Ltd
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s
Best American Craft Spirit
Old Dominick Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Old Dominick
Best Irish Whiskey
Redbreast 18 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Pernod Ricard USA
Best Canadian Whiskey
Larrikin Bourbon Co. Decade Rye Cognac Barrel
Larrikin Bourbon Co.
Best Corn Whiskey
Barrel King #99 “Cornholio”
Barrel King
Best Vodka
Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka
Round 2 Spirits
Best Gin
Madrona Garden Club Gin
Madrona Distillery
Best Rum
Dos Maderas Rum 5+5 PX Triple Aged Rum
Palm Bay International
Best Flavored Rum
Copalli Organic Cacao Rum
Copalli Rum
Best Cognac
Courvoisier XO
Courvoisier
Best American Brandy
Starlight Distillery Bottled-In-Bond Single Barrel Estate Apple Brandy
Starlight Distillery
Best Liqueur
Bauchant Orange Liqueur
Palm Bay International
Best Pre-Mixed Cocktail
Sun Cruiser Strawberry Lemonade
Sun Cruiser Beverage Co.
Best Flavored Whiskey
Starlight Distillery Blackberry Flavored Whiskey
Starlight Distillery
Best Flavored Moonshine
Ole Smoky Blackberry Moonshine
Ole Smoky Distillery LLC
Best Cocktail Mixer
Taste of Florida Spicy Bloody Mary
Coastal Promotions, Inc. – Taste of Florida Mixers
Best Vermouth/Fortified Wine
Boissiere Vermouth Sweet Vermouth
Palm Bay International
Best Sotol
La Pulga Sotol
La Pulga Spirits
