Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon earned 98 points and the Bourbon Trophy, beating out higher-priced bottles from top distilleries.

Key Notes

• Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon was named the top bourbon of 2025 by the International Wine & Spirit Competition, earning 98 points and a Bourbon Trophy.

• Judges praised its layered flavor, highlighting apple tart, custard, dried apricots, buckwheat honey, vanilla, and warm spice.

• Founded in 2022, Frank August is a non-distilling producer that quickly gained recognition, with four additional whiskeys scoring at least 95 points in the competition.

• ABV: 50%

• Origin: Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon is sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery (or distilleries). It’s blended in batches of 10 to 15 barrels at a time. Although the whiskey is non-age stated, due to federal labeling regulations, we know it’s at least four years old. Frank August has been blending and selling small-batch whiskeys since 2022.

• Price: Usually between $70 and $80

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has named Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon as its top bourbon for 2025. With a score of 98 out of 100 points, this bottle, priced at approximately $70, surpassed numerous more costly and well-known bourbons.

Frank August may not yet be widely known, but it has certainly gained recognition within specific whiskey communities. Established in 2022 by former fashion executive Johnathan Crocker and his partners, it operates as a non-distilling producer (NDP) that sources and blends whiskey from Kentucky distilleries. Their acclaimed product is a 100-proof Kentucky bourbon, crafted in batches of 10 to 15 barrels from an undisclosed distillery (or distilleries). Consequently, the precise mash bill remains unknown, and it is a non-age-stated blend. However, due to federal labeling requirements, we know it is at least four years old. 

The bourbon was first sampled in June at the IWSC’s North American competition held in Bardstown, Kentucky. The panel of judges who evaluated the spirit included Millie Milliken (a writer specializing in spirits and cocktails), Dr. Bill Lumsden (head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg), Reece Sims (the founder of Flavor Camp), and Ryan Mills (a whiskey influencer and educator). Frank August Small Batch received an impressive score of 98 points and was awarded a Gold Outstanding medal.

Along with the 98-point small batch bourbon, four other Frank August whiskeys scored at least 95 points in competition:

1. Frank August Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

2. Frank August Case Study: 05 Wheated Reserve

3. Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

4. Frank August Case Study: 03 Winter Cover Rye

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