The World’s Best Bourbon – 2026 According to the World Whiskey Awards

The World Whiskey Awards is one of the most prestigious competitions in the drinks industry. The annual judging was first launched in the UK in 2007, but today its best-in-class winners are revealed at gala ceremonies held in both Louisville and London. The latter event last week celebrated medal winners in global whiskey categories (we shared an exclusive first look at the Scotch here), but right now we’re opening a bottle of WWA 2026’s Best Bourbon. Because it’s more than just an undeniably wonderful liquid – it’s quite possibly one of the best bargains in all of American whiskey.

Here’s everything you need to know about Bottled Straight In Bond Kentucky New Riff Distilling.

Let’s start with the manufacturer itself. New Riff was founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis – a former teacher turned liquor retailer. He had the bold vision of starting his operation about 100 miles northeast of Louisville, the traditional epicenter of Bourbon. The distillery actually operates in a suburb of Cincinnati on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. However, more important than the unconventional location was its unique approach to grain and technology.

From the beginning, New Riff has committed itself to the quality of the ingredients that go into its fermentation (namely: corn, rye and malted barley), as well as the bottled-in-bond, non-chill-filter method. The ethos has had immediate benefits; Bottles that are full of flavor and show extraordinary richness even at a relatively young age.

Just look at what the WWA 2026 judges had to say about the brand’s Bottled in Bond flagship after it was named Bourbon of the Year:

“Lemon peel and butterscotch on the nose; a bright palate with cinnamon, caramel, fresh fig, vanilla cookie, sweet pastry, dried leather, pumpernickel rye, corned beef and brine; a warm and sweet finish with caramel, lemon peel, crumb cookie and coffee.”

as required Any Bottled-in-Bond Whiskey Through federal law passed in 1897, this expression is bottled at exactly 100 proof, distilled over a season from a single distillery and aged for a minimum of four years in charred new oak barrels. And interestingly, the barrels used to compile this signature did not actually spend more than the required four years for maturation.

After that period the liquid was already performing brilliantly, a testament to the unusual mashbill at the center of its greatness: 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley – all non-GMO grains, sourced from local Kentucky farmers wherever possible. Many American whiskey producers will label their bourbon “high rye” even if they list only 20% of the nominal grain in its ingredients list. But it really lives up to the nickname and you can taste the difference. The strong spice and depth of flavor – especially in the lasting finish – certainly enhanced its performance among the judges.

Meanwhile, the price of whiskey will certainly drive its performance on the shelves. Retailing for just under $40 per bottleThe price really is as attractive as the flavor profile. Across the entire New Riff portfolio, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything above $70 a bottle, and it includes other award-winning liquids like an 8-year-old bourbon and rye and a coffee roast-forward American single malt that compares favorably against any other offerings in the nascent category.

All of this should serve as a poignant reminder to any modern bourbon drinker: Don’t sleep on this brand. The progress it has made in the landscape in just 12 years is astonishing. And though it may exist geographically somewhat beyond the reach of Louisville and Lexington, New Riff is right at home with Kentucky’s finest Old Guard.