Next up in our serialisation of the Bartenders' Brand Awards results is American Whiskey.
In the American whiskey category, it was rye that swept the top end of the scoring, with Baltimore-based Sagamore not just taking first place for its Cask Strength expression but being crowned the best product across the BBAs 2025.
Our panel awarded the brand golds in all three categories, with one judge saying the whiskey was an “absolute banger… everything’s bold yet balanced”. The design measured up to the taste assessment with judges praising its “unique bottle” that’s “still fun yet elegant”.
Another of the distillery’s bottlings took second place. The Straight Rye also took a gold in the tasting thanks to its “stone fruit and cream” nose and “smooth palate”.
Completing the podium was Whistlepig 10 Year Old. The Canadian-American hybrid was noted for its “light, fl oral body” and “good price point”.
Fourth spot went to Uncle Nearest Single Barrel - Batch 905 was the secondhighest performing American whiskey in the taste scoring.
Completing the top five, an unlikely destination. Debt Collector Moonshine from south London’s Doghouse Distillery is an American-style whiskey in all regards except its location. Described as “estery and tropical” with a “really nice nose and mouthfeel”, the brand was awarded a silver in the blind tasting.