The Texas Whiskey Festival hosts a competition each year to determine the best Texas Bourbon, Rye, Malt Whiskey, and the newly added Flavored Whiskeys. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges in a blind tasting.

“We view the contest and awards as a guide for people to discover new whiskeys,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements. Everything entered in the contest is available for purchase by the bottle or glass, with some being in distribution and others being distillery-only releases.

These are the winners chosen by a panel of judges based on their opinions and palates regarding the whiskey's enjoyability and drinkability. Each judge's opinion and palate vary, so remember that the best whiskey is the one you like.

2024 Winners

Best in Show: Grain to Glass Whiskey

1. Gold - Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling - 305 Single Malt Whiskey

2. Silver - Still Austin Whiskey Co. - Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey

3. Bronze - Garrison Brothers Distilling - Ladybird Straight Bourbon

Best Bourbons:

1. Gold - Garrison Brothers Distilling - Ladybird Straight Bourbon

2. Silver - Devils River Whiskey- Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

3. Bronze - Shire Distilling - Percheron Straight Bourbon

Best Rye Whiskeys

1. Gold - Still Austin Whiskey Co. - Bottled in Bond Rye

2. Silver - Shire Distilling - Rye Whiskey Tejas Collaboration

3. Bronze - Devils River - Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 5 years

Best Malt Whiskeys

1. Gold - Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling. - 305 Single Malt

2. Silver - Bendt Distilling Co.. - Bottled in Bond Single Malt

3. Bronze - Balcones Distilling - Cataleja Single Malt

Best Flavored Whiskeys

1. Gold - Ironwolf Ranch and Distillery - HotScotch

2. Silver - Sixth Street Spirits - Rock and Rye

3. Bronze - Silver Star Spirits - Ranch Style Coffee Honey Liqueur

Come to the Texas Whiskey Festival to taste the winners and many more. It is a night of sampling new whiskey, meeting friends, and enjoying food, cigars, and music. Get your tickets HERE.

About the Texas Whiskey Festival

The festival's mission is simple: To create events, collaborations, and blends that celebrate Texas Whiskey and its community. We want to promote and educate Texans about the whiskeys produced in our great state. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that.