This Mysterious, Minimalist Bourbon Was Just Named the Best in the World

Frank August’s Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon has just been named the best bourbon in the world at one of the most prestigious spirits competitions: the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

For a brand still unknown to most bourbon drinkers, it’s a massive achievement, as well as a reminder of the key role barrel selection and blending can play in creating exceptional bourbon.

A Mid-Century Mystery

Frank August

Frank August shrouds itself in mystery. The company refuses to disclose which Kentucky distilleries produce its whiskey—a strategic decision that, as with other NDPs, helps fuel curiosity.

The brand’s ethos centers on “evolving the identity of bourbon by uniting authenticity with modernity,” according to their mission statement, which is clearly manifested in the company’s striking, nearly label-less minimalist bottle designs.

Frank August

This approach, combined with word-of-mouth acclaim among whiskey enthusiasts, has created a unique positioning in the crowded bourbon market.

Where most brands lean heavily on history and tradition, Frank August embraces modernist principles. Their bottles look more at home in a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building than in a traditional bourbon bar, which is precisely the point.

This approach generated both intrigue and skepticism. Still, this IWSC win provides a level of validation countless other NDPs—short for “non-distilling producers,” i.e., whiskey brands that source their whiskey from different distilleries instead of making it themselves—would kill for.

Picking Winners

Frank August

The IWSC, founded in 1969, is considered one of the most rigorous and respected spirits competitions globally. Judges include master distillers, industry veterans, and acclaimed spirits writers who evaluate entries through blind tastings.

This year’s bourbon category featured entries from legendary distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, and Wild Turkey, making Frank August’s victory all the more remarkable.

In an era where many distilleries are chasing buzz by experimenting with heirloom grains or proprietary processes, Frank August’s success is a reminder of longstanding industry hack: sometimes simply choosing and blending the right barrels can path to exceptional whiskey.

Frank August

That doesn’t mean everyone in the bourbon world is comfortable with Frank August’s tactics, or the broad use of terms like “small batch” as descriptors of selectivity or exclusivity across the bourbon industry.

That’s largely because there’s no standard definition or legal regulation that defines what small batch means. In other words, the number and types of barrels used to make a small batch bourbon can change from batch to batch, and differ from brand to brand.

In Frank August’s case, the 2025 edition of small batch bourbon is made from a blend of 10-15 barrels and bottled at 100 proof (50 percent ABV), a strength that allows the flavors to present clearly without the aggressive heat that can mask subtleties in higher-proof expressions.

Frank August

According to the brand and judges, the tasting notes highlight waves of caramel, vanilla, oak, and baking spice. The IWSC specifically notes “apple tart, custard, dried apricots, and honeyed softness.”

Still, while some skepticism lingers around non-distilling producers, Frank August’s big win is a clear sign NDPs can still reach the whiskey summit.

Pricing and Availability

Frank August

Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon typically retails for around $70-$80, positioning it in the premium bourbon category without reaching the ultra-luxury price points of some collectible expressions.

However, availability can be challenging, as Frank August maintains limited distribution to preserve exclusivity.

The brand occasionally releases information about new stockists through their minimalist website and social media channels, though they maintain their mysterious brand identity even in their marketing communications.

Following this IWSC win, expect demand to increase significantly, potentially making bottles even harder to find. So if your local shop still has a bottle, don’t expect it to last long.