The San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Uncovering the Best Bourbons of 2024

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is one of the most respected spirits competitions in the industry, with the annual results eagerly anticipated. The competition is held every year in San Francisco by The Tasting Alliance. First held in 2000, the contest has been awarding accolades to spirits from across the US for almost 25 years.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a premier event in the spirits industry.

In May 2024, the most recent SFWSC results were released. There were a total of 82 Platinum medal winners across all categories, including bourbon, whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs. Among these, we’ll delve into the world of bourbon, exploring the Platinum medal-winning expressions from the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon

W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon

Medal: Platinum

Tasting Notes: Lanolin, almond, creamed corn, toasty vanilla, oak

BUY NOW: $189.99

Let’s start with a widely recognized name in the bourbon industry: W.L. Weller. Named for William Larue Weller, a pioneer of wheated bourbons, this gentle expression is aged for 12 years. This is a much longer maturation period than is standard for a wheated bourbon.

F.E.W Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon

F.E.W Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon

Medal: Platinum

Tasting Notes: Cherry, smoked vanilla, oak, caramel

BUY NOW: $39.99

The Bottled-In-Bond designation constitutes the first quality control law that was referenced to distilled spirits, particularly American whiskey, rye, and bourbon. For a whiskey to be classed as Bottled-In-Bond, it must be distilled in a single season at one distillery (January-June or July-December). It must also be aged for a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof.

Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon

Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon

Medal: Platinum

Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes available

BUY NOW: $37.99

Our next bourbon hails from a company that had not one, but two Platinum-medal winning expressions in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024. Blue Note Bourbon, based in Memphis, TN, has been owned by B.R Distilling Co. since 2018. Located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, the Blue Note warehouses benefit from a humid micro-climate in which the whiskey is matured.

Blue Note Juke Joint Straight Bourbon

Blue Note Juke Joint Straight Bourbon

Medal: Platinum

Tasting Notes: Sweet corn, allspice, oak, vanilla, apricot, pear

BUY NOW: $25.99

Another expression from Blue Note Bourbon is Juke Joint. Juke Joint is also a straight bourbon whiskey. However, we know a little more about the technical aspects of this whiskey than we do about Crossroads. Juke Joint was distilled from a mash bill comprising 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. The whiskey was aged for a minimum of three years before being bottled at 93 proof.

Ezra Brooks Old Ezra 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Ezra Brooks Old Ezra 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Medal: Platinum

Tasting Notes: Floral, vanilla, cinnamon, fine wood, butter

BUY NOW: $65

The Old Ezra 7 Year is a long-standing expression in the Ezra Brooks portfolio. The whiskey is distilled from a mash bill consisting of corn, rye, and barley, with the corn making up at least 51% of the mash bill. Then, the whiskey is matured in virgin American charred white oak casks for at least seven years, before being bottled at cask strength.

Widow Jane 10 Year Old Bourbon

Widow Jane 10 Year Old Bourbon

Medal: Platinum

Tasting Notes: Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cream, orange, maple, cherry, almond, charred oak, spice

BUY NOW: $49.99

Located in Brooklyn, New York, Widow Jane is celebrated for its small-batch bourbons. Founded in 2012, the distillery initially specialized in chocolate production before expanding into whiskey blending, sourcing casks from various regions across the United States. Looking ahead, Widow Jane plans to centralize all whiskey production at its own facilities. Widow Jane’s 10 Year Old bourbon is crafted from select batches of five barrels, each aged over a decade. The distillery credits the bourbon’s intricate and layered flavors to the dramatic temperature and humidity changes within its warehouse. Additionally, barrels are strategically repositioned within the rick house, exposing the bourbon to a variety of climatic conditions throughout its aging process.

In conclusion, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has once again showcased the best of the best in the spirits industry. These Platinum medal-winning bourbons are a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of the distilleries involved. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just starting your whiskey journey, these exceptional bourbons are sure to delight.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a premier event in the spirits industry.