2026 North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition “Best of the Best Tasting”

Friday, July 24, 2026, 5 to 8:30 pm, Antoine’s Restaurant, NOLA.
Join us for an exclusive evening honoring the Top winners of the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, hosted at the historic Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans and timed to coincide with Tales of the Cocktail. This trade and media showcase will bring together up to 100 buyers, bartenders, brand ambassadors, press, and bourbon enthusiasts for one night of tasting the year's highest-scoring American whiskies.
Only 24 VIP Consumer tickets are available to the public — reserve yours now to taste alongside the industry.

2026 North American Bourbon
and Whiskey Competition

Official Winners Announcement!

We are excited to publish the winners' list from the 12th Annual NABWC.

Top Winners:
Augusta Distillery Small Batch Bourbon 6 Years Platinum 97
2026 BOS 1 Augusta

2023 “Best of Show” Winners (selected by the judges). 

BOS_3_Bottles

•Augusta Distillery Small Batch Bourbon 6 Years  1st Place
•Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2nd Place
•Ampersand Aureus 3rd Place 

Now included! Digital medals with actual points!

91 NABW gold metal
95 NABW DG metal
99 NABW Plat medal

2026 North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition

Presented by Wine Country Network, Inc
July 11-12, 2026

The 12 Annual North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition (N.A.B.W.C.) celebrates excellence in Bourbon, Whiskey, and Moonshine through rigorous double-blind judging on a 100-point scale. As the only professional competition where American-, Canadian-, Mexican-, and South American-made whiskeys compete directly against America's native spirit, Bourbon, we bring together certified spirits professionals, sommeliers, and buyers who evaluate each entry using the Neat™ Spirits Evaluation glass.

Double Gold winners (95+ points) advance to our prestigious Best of Show round, where our senior judging panel conducts a final evaluation. New for 2026: The elite Platinum award recognizes exceptional spirits that score 97 points or higher.

The Best of Show winner receives the coveted N.A.B.W.C. custom laser-engraved barrel head, a distinguished symbol of excellence in North American spirits.

Photo Credit Anne Marie Zarba
Photo Credit Anne Marie Zarba

2026 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition is now open!!

2026 Competition Entry Information:
Competition Dates: July 11-12, 2026

Deadlines
Online Entries: June 30, 2026
Samples Delivery By: July 6, 2026
Entry Fee: $500
Bottles required: 2-750 ml

2026 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition is now open!!

2026 Competition Entry Information:
Competition Dates: July 11-12, 2026

Deadlines
Online Entries: June 30, 2026
Samples Delivery By: July 6, 2026
Entry Fee: $500
Bottles required: 2-750 ml

Hall of Fame 2023

Northwest Spirits President Merrisa (Missy) Claridge and Head Blender Nick Warren with their Laser Engraved Barrel Head for “Best of Show,” First Place, Double Gold Medal -2023 North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition.