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From Double Gold to Best in Show 2026: 4 Budget-Friendly Bourbon Champions



Normally, the bourbons that earn the highest honors in the whiskey world come with equally impressive price tags, making them more of a collector’s trophy than an everyday pour. For years, bourbon lovers have assumed that “best in class” automatically meant spending well into the triple digits for a bottle. But 2026 is proving that assumption wrong. This year’s most celebrated bourbons are showing that award-winning quality, complex flavor, and industry recognition do not have to come at luxury prices. From competition champions to critically acclaimed favorites, several of the world’s top-rated bourbons are delivering exceptional value, making world-class whiskey more accessible than ever before. 

 

Winners by Competition

New Riff Bottled-in-Bond won Best Kentucky Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards. Augusta Distillery Wheated Single Barrel claimed Best Bourbon at the LA Spirits Awards. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond took Double Gold at the International Spirits Challenge.

 

Top-ranked bourbons of 2026 feature distinct profiles...

 


New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Named Best Kentucky Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards. It features lemon zest, butterscotch, and cinnamon notes with a warm, crumb-cookie finish.

  

According to their website:

New Riff Distilling’s core Bourbon expression is a genuinely high-rye, full bodied whiskey offering savory, spicy character, featuring a mash bill of non-GMO grains at 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. Aged four years in 53-gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels, there are no shortcuts taken in our production. All New Riff whiskeys are made with the full sour mash Kentucky Regimen; all carry an age statement and are always bottled in bond without chill filtration.

 

To learn more & where to purchase, click here.

 

 


Augusta Distillery Wheated Single Barrel

Crowned Best Bourbon at the LA Spirits Awards, this wheated bourbon (made with wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain) offers a softer, sweeter flavor.

 

According to their website:

Augusta Distillery's Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon expands our lineup with a softer, more rounded expression—crafted with wheat in place of rye, yet held to the same uncompromising standards of single barrel, cask strength, and unfiltered traditional bourbon. It’s a new flavor lane for those who appreciate elegance, balance, and depth—without sacrificing character.

 

To learn more & where to purchase, click here.

 


Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond

The standout Double Gold winner at the International Spirits Challenge. Bottled at 100 proof, it is highly praised as a premier budget-friendly option.

 

According to their website:

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond is aged under government supervision and meeting the exact requirements for a Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. It has all the kick you expect—but still goes down smooth. Proof: 100 Proof, Color: Bright Gold, Nose: Caramel with hints of vanilla, oak, and barley, Taste: Citrus on top of vanilla, and black pepper, Finish: Warm, long, and dry.

 

More info & to find where to purchase here.

 

 


Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10-Year

Scored an impressive 98 points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. VinePair highlights it as the Best All-Rounder Bourbon for its long, spicy finish.

 

According to their website:

This high proof, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon was named for Henry McKenna, the Irish immigrant who adapted his family's whiskey recipe to work with the grains he found in Kentucky. Henry McKenna is one of the longest aged Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys available today, resting in the barrel through 40 Kentucky seasons. Critics agree that this is perfectly balanced Bourbon.

 

More info & to find where to purchase, click here.


WANT TO VISIT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY WHERE HENRY MCKENNA IS PRODUCED? Take our Bourbon Social™: Mash & Mingle Tour >

 

Final Sip

As these award-winning bourbons prove, great whiskey doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Whether you’re a longtime bourbon enthusiast or just beginning to explore the category, these bottles offer an opportunity to experience some of the most celebrated pours of 2026 without stretching your budget. From bold, high-rye character to smooth wheated sweetness, there’s a standout option for every palate. So, the next time you’re browsing the bourbon shelf, consider reaching for one of these acclaimed winners—you might discover that world-class whiskey is closer (and more affordable) than you think.

 

Cheers!

Pegasus Tours



DID YOU KNOW?

Pegasus Tours offers both private and group bourbon tours! And they have special rates with The Galt House Hotel.

 

Note: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not represent any endorsement by Pegasus.



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Only Pegasus offers an unmatched blend of luxury and elegance in chauffeured & chartered services, personalized tours, and exclusive Kentucky Bourbon Trail's™ distillery experiences, all backed by 5-star reviews. We excel in providing top-tier transportation for distinguished events like Bourbon and Beyond, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and Louder Than Life, ensuring a memorable journey every time.



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