As noted, due to the Coronavirus, this is the first year I’ve not been a judge in a long time at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. So, I can’t give you my normal personal recap, but I can post the winners.

Barrell Batch 21 took home Best Bourbon, and I’m told stood a good shot at winning it all. I’m sure if I was tasting it, Barrell Batch 21 would have likely done quite well. In my end-of-year taste off, Batch 21 won Best Blended Bourbon and finished in my Top 10. So, congrats to Barrell and those talented blenders–Tripp Stimson and Joe Beatrice.

Note: The photo in this article is of the last time Barrell won San Francisco. What an accomplishment to win San Francisco twice, especially as a small producer.

Now, for the rest of the bourbon awards….

BOURBON

Best Bourbon • Best Small Batch Bourbon • Best Small Batch Bourbon – 6 to 10 Years: Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 10 Year Old Cask Strength

Best Small Batch Bourbon – Up to 5 Years: Kings County Distillery Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, New York,

Best Small Batch Bourbon – 11 Years and Older: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Kentucky

Best Single Barrel Bourbon – Up to 10 Years: Baker’s Single Barrel Bourbon, Kentucky     

Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon: Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series “Phifer Pavitt Reserve” Bourbon, Tennessee

Best Craft Distiller Whiskey: ASW Distillery Maris Otter Single Varietal Single Malt Whiskey, Georgia

  Best Tennessee Whiskey: Davidson Reserve Tennessee Straight Sour Mash Whiskey     

Best Rye: Parker’s Heritage Collection 13th Edition Rye Whiskey

Best in Show Whisky: The GlenDronach Revival 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

To see the rest of the winners, visit SFspiritsComp.com.