An affordable bourbon from Kentucky has snagged one of the most sought-after awards in the global whiskey arena, outpacing other brands of whiskeys that are priced at 10 to 20 times higher. Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond, a flavorful bourbon produced by the well-known Willett Distillery, has won the 2026 Bourbon Trophy at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), a renowned award ceremony to be held in London later this year.

This plaque of recognition is not its first. Earlier in the year, this whiskey distinguished itself by garnering 98 points and a Gold Outstanding medal in the North American straight bourbon category of the same competition. The experts emphasized its vibrant and grainy scent, a palate featuring a well-rounded blend of marmalade and brioche with a delicate touch of floral notes, and a character-filled, lingering finish.

The standout characteristic of Old Bardstown, however, is its pricing which is significantly lower than rivals in the category. For American whiskey enthusiasts, the Willett brand rings a bell, commanding the same respect as other well-known brands such as Van Winkle, Weller, and Fitzgerald. The highly-desired Willett Family Estate whiskey variants are among the highest-priced in the American market, making the comparably priced Old Bardstown a remarkable contrast in their product offerings.

Interestingly, Old Bardstown has deeper roots in the distillery than some of the most sought-after Willett Family Estate whiskeys, many of which were sourced from other Kentucky distilleries while Willett paused its production from the late 1970s until 2012. In contrast, Old Bardstown is a product of Willett's own distillation process, utilizing its original 1936 mash bill comprised of 72% corn, 15% malted barley, and 13% rye.

Qualifying as a bottled-in-bond bourbon, Old Bardstown is aged in new oak barrels for at least four years, gone through a single distillation season, and subsequently bottled at 100 proof strength. It carries a vintage-inspired label with an image of a hand-painted thoroughbred horse, retaining the same logo Willett reintroduced in 2016.

Like some of the pricier collectible releases from Willett, availability is a hitch for Old Bardstown since it's officially sold only in Kentucky. This $25 bottle is, however, an exceptional value even factoring in a trip to Kentucky for a purchase.

Bardstown, Kentucky, also known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” is flush with accolades this year as Bardstown Bourbon Company has clinched the Best American Whiskey award at the 2026 IWSC for its Lochs of Jura Barrel 10-Year-Old, a blend of straight whiskeys aged in single malt Scotch whisky barrels. These significant IWSC achievements certainly underline Bardstown's prominence in the bourbon industry.