The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America just convened in Denver, Colorado for its annual convention. Since 1943, WSWA has existed as the largest national organization of industry distributors and this three-day meetup assembles over 370 of its members into one location, where they mingle with more than 3000 attendees.
According to its website, “WSWA advocates on federal, state, regulatory, and legal issues impacting distributors and the beverage alcohol industry.” But they also vote on some of the best wine and spirits on shelves in any given year. And they now enlist the help of the Tasting Alliance to make it happen.
The results for the 2025 judging have officially been logged. So, we can now share exclusive details on what these trusted professionals deemed “Best of Show Whiskey” for the new calendar year. For bourbon fans it’s eye-widening intel, indeed. Because the top prize was awarded to an expression that hasn’t officially been released yet: Centennial 18-Year-Old from Calumet Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Here’s what makes this bottling so sensational and how you can hope to get your hands on it…
Wine and spirits wholesalers meet, 19 May 1952. B.P Calhoun (General Counsel of Southern California … [+]
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The whiskey of the year is a non-chill filtered, 118-proof liquid, crafted from a 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley mashbill. Calumet Farm is currently a non-distilling producer and it doesn’t disclose the source of its whiskey. But the published mashbill–along with the impressive age of its stock–leads most industry experts to assume a Barton 1792 provenance.
Regardless of who made it, what the folks at Calumet Farm have done to steward this precious liquid is nothing short of extraordinary. Poured into a snifter, the imminent release exudes aromas of peppered stone fruit. Its palate is defined by those well-worn hallmarks of the category: vanilla, caramel and cinnamon. Though here they are dialed up to maximum volume, riding a creamy body and buoyed by a high-octane ABV. The finish flaunts lingering threads of creme brûlée and candied apple.
You can tell that the folks at Calumet Farm are particularly proud of their creation. Deservedly so. They had this to say about the juice: “Crafted at peak convergence for flavor and a robust, traditional Kentucky profile, this bourbon truly shows the patience and dedication it takes to be a champion.”
Indeed, it marks a new level of excellence for the relatively new brand thatt was initially launched in 2013. Nevertheless its namesake farm in Lexington, Kentucky just celebrated its 100th birthday. This elegant, gold-labeled expression is the latest product marketed as a commemoration of that auspicious anniversary.
Presented in a faceted “trophy decanter,” the mahogany liquid will glimmer along the top shelf of any home bar. But it won’t come cheap. Calumet Farm Centennial 18 Year Old is set to retail at $499 a bottle. Though the exact release date is yet to be announced, you can sign up on the brand’s website to receive an alert the moment it heads to market. Whenever it does, it’ll arrive with an impressive piece of hardware adorned around its neck.
View of a section of Calumet Farm, a 762 acre Thoroughbred horse breeding and training farm … [+]
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