This year at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), Augusta Distillery’s Buckner’s 13 Year Bourbon was crowned “Best Bourbon in the World” and won a 2023 Double Gold award. Buckner’s 13 Year Bourbon arrived at the SFWSC already a winner, having been named a Gold Winner by the American Distilling Institute.
Augusta is a relatively new distillery, sitting on the banks of the Ohio River in Augusta, Kentucky. The distillery occupies a historic building first used for manufacturing parts for carriages, then automobiles. The distillery’s goal from the start was to create authentic and sophisticated spirits that showcase the Bourbon-centric attitude of the region, and these recent awards prove they are on a winning path.
Buckner’s 13 Year Bourbon
Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
The name itself, Buckner, pays homage to a hero of the Revolutionary War, Capt. Philip Buckner, who founded and helped settle the town of Augusta in 1796, establishing it as a trading post on the Ohio River.
Buckner’s 13-Year Bourbon is aged in new, charred oak barrels and has an invitingly warm mahogany color. It presents the nose with aromas of antique wood, wet soil, dry corn, and honeyed vanilla. The SFWSC judges noted the dry palate and its flavors of tropical fruit, caramel, vanilla, and milk chocolate followed by a distinct pepperiness. The finish is exceptionally balanced with hints of exotic spices, buttery cream, and cured tea leaves.
This world-class Bourbon brought home four gold medals from the SFWSC in total, so toast its success with a bottle, now.
Old Route 8 Limited 8-Year First Edition Single Barrel
74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Augusta Distillery’s Old Route 8 Single Barrel was also a winner at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, bringing home a gold. The well-aged Bourbon has a rich, sweet nose with notes of chocolate-covered raisins, clove, barrel char, and mint. The palate carries a blend of cranberry, plum, and raisin notes balanced with ones of hazelnut, black pepper, and rustic baking spices. The bold, lingering finish is reminiscent of spiced wood and dark chocolate.
