The World’s Best Bourbon—According To The American Whiskey Commission

LifestyleSpiritsThe World’s Best Bourbon—According To The American Whiskey CommissionByBrad Japhe,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. You can find me at the confluence of food, beverage and travel.Follow AuthorJun 07, 2026, 04:15am EDTSummaryAs America approaches its 250th anniversary, the American Whiskey Commission has named Bhakta 1868 America250 Edition - Barrel 1 Washington as the "Best In Show" bourbon. This unique spirit, scoring an unprecedented 19 out of 20 points in a blind tasting, is celebrated for its complex notes of marmalade, pepper, quince, and apple pie. Priced at $250, it's an "American Blended Bourbon," comprising 60% 21-year-old bourbon and 40% 19th-century French Armagnac. Founder Raj Bhakta highlights this blend as a nod to the Franco-American collaboration that secured independence. This limited-edition release, with only five barrels produced, is available exclusively online, offering a rare taste of history for the semiquincentennial.Show More BHAKTA 1868 Barrel 1 WashingtonPhoto illustration: Brad JapheAmerica’s 250th anniversary is less than a month out and the celebrations are already well underway. Some of the country’s top bourbon producers have taken the birthday to heart by unveiling specialty bottlings of that most American of spirit categories; the only liquor protected by an act of Congress as a “distinctive product of the United States.” But these new releases are not all created equal, of course. In order to guarantee that you’re stocking your home bar with the best liquids for the occasion, the American Whiskey Commission recently convened a panel of expert judges. Together, they determined the best bourbon in the world, for the semiquincentennial and beyond. In its own words, the AWC is a “non-profit whiskey adjudication entity formed by bartenders with a mission to champion our nation’s finest spirits — and defend their place as a crucial part of ou...