Bardstown Bourbon Co. Named Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year

The distillery took home top honors at the International Wine & Spirits Competition

LONDON — (Friday, October 20, 2023) Less than a decade since Bardstown Bourbon Company broke ground, the distillery and brand dedicated to honoring tradition while pushing the boundaries of the spirits industry has been named 2023 Worldwide Whiskey Producer by International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC).

Since opening in 2016, Bardstown Bourbon Co. has expanded to become one of the largest distillers in the country, releasing not only a line of sought-after bourbons, but innovating the approach to contract distilling. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is the architect of a custom distillation process offering a full suite of on-site services for clients, distilling more than 50 mash bill recipes and supporting all phases of the whiskey-making process from recipe and procurement to aging and bottling.

“When we opened our doors, we were humbled by the response and the need we fulfilled in the industry. We are passionate about honoring the tradition of whiskey making while pushing the boundaries of innovation. At Bardstown Bourbon Co. we are committed to exploring what’s possible in bourbon both in producing award-winning whiskies of our own and helping partners achieve their unique needs. We are honored to be recognized with such an award and continue this tradition well into the future.”

Per IWSC: “Our judges commended Bardstown’s technical ability, noting that they are fully engaged with the trade and are able to meet their clients’ different needs, showcasing their ever-growing skillsets and expertise. They admired the experiential activities they are offering at the distillery, and as the first destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® they set the standard for the modern bourbon experience. Our judges believe Bardstown are trying to fulfill a thirst within the market, they are a destination where others can go to create their own aspirations.”

Earlier this year Bardstown Bourbon Co. was honored with seven products scoring above 90 points, including the competition’s highest rated bourbon for the flagship Origin Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon, voted 98 out of 100 points.

IWSC is the world’s largest and most influential spirits competition, dating back to 1969. This year’s Worldwide Whiskey Producer Trophy was sponsored by Guala Closures.

About Bardstown Bourbon Company

Founded in 2014 by Peter Loftin in the heart of Bourbon Country on 100 acres of active farmland, Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the country’s most modern and technically advanced whiskey distilleries. Celebrating the art of making high-quality, authentic bourbons, the innovative distillery produces custom rye, whiskey and bourbon for prominent brands including Jefferson’s, Blue Run, Belle Meade and many others through its one-of-a-kind collaborative distilling program. Bardstown Bourbon Company honors tradition and drives innovation with their exceptional destination experience for visitors, including The Kitchen and Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company and an interactive tasting room experience in Louisville, Ky. In addition to their flagship Origin Series, Bardstown Bourbon Co. offers limited releases throughout the year including the Discovery Series, which showcases the art of blending, and Collaborative Series, which celebrates partnership and transparency across multiple spirit categories. Bardstown Bourbon Co. also owns Green River Distilling Co., located in Owensboro, Kentucky. Learn more at BardstownBourbon.com.

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