Augusta Distillery wins top honors at 2026 North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition

Augusta Distillery’s Small Batch Bourbon took Platinum and Best of Show first place in the 12th annual North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition. Wine Country Network said entries rose 18% year over year, and the top winners will be poured at a trade tasting in New Orleans on July 24.

Why it matters: - The competition is a multi-region benchmark for bourbon, whiskey and moonshine judged on a 100-point scale. - Augusta Distillery’s win puts its Small Batch Bourbon at the center of this year’s results. - The event’s trade tasting gives buyers, bartenders and press a chance to sample the highest-scoring bottles, including heavily allocated releases.

What happened: - Wine Country Network announced the results of the 12th Annual North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition on July 22, 2026. - Augusta Distillery Small Batch Bourbon 6 Years earned 97 points, a Platinum Award and 1st Place in the Judges’ Selection Best of Show ranking. - Blanton’s “Straight from the Barrel” Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey placed 2nd in Best of Show. - Ampersand Aureus Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Vino De Naranjo Casks placed 3rd in Best of Show. - The competition awarded 16 Double Gold medals to products scoring 95 points or higher. - Wine Country Network said entries were up 18% from last year. - Guest judge Nino Marchetti, founder of WhiskyWash.com, joined the judging team. - Marchetti said the event was well run and judged by a qualified pool of industry experts.

The details: - The North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition uses rigorous double-blind judging on a 100-point scale. - The competition brings together certified spirits professionals, sommeliers and buyers. - Entries are evaluated using the Neat™ Spirits Evaluation glass. - The competition includes Bourbon, Whiskey and Moonshine. - The event is notable for comparing American-, Canadian-, Mexican- and South American-made whiskeys directly with bourbon. - Wine Country Network publishes Wine Country International Magazine and The World Book of Whisky. - For a full list of winners, see WhiskeyComp.com. - High-resolution photos are available for publication by contacting Christopher J Davies at cdavies@winecountrynetwork.com.

Between the lines: - The 18% increase in entries suggests the competition is gaining reach and credibility among spirits producers. - The double-blind format and professional judge pool are designed to strengthen the competition’s claim of impartiality. - The New Orleans tasting is as much a trade and media event as a consumer showcase, signaling an effort to drive buyer attention around the winners.

What’s next: - Wine Country Network will host a Special Trade/Media Tasting of the top winners on Friday, July 24, 2026, during Tales of the Cocktail week. - The event runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Antoine’s Restaurant, 713 St Louis St, New Orleans. - The tasting will feature 24 of the highest-scoring American whiskies from the competition. - The lineup includes Augusta Distillery’s Best of Show winner and Double Gold pours such as Weller’s William Larue Weller, Sazerac 18 Year Rye, Eagle Rare 17 Year Single Barrel and Thomas Handy Rye. - Wine Country Network is offering media passes, tasting lists, photos and judge interviews for interested attendees. - Reservations are available by emailing info@winecountrynetwork.com.

The bottom line: - Augusta Distillery emerged as the clear winner in a competition that is becoming bigger, more crowded and more trade-relevant.